GetGo convenience store gets signage approval for Greensburg location

Giant Eagle Inc. reached an agreement Wednesday with the Greensburg Zoning Hearing Board on the size and number of signs it can have at its GetGo convenience store it plans to build along South Main Street at the site of a former video store.

The zoning hearing board granted Giant Eagle variances for signs it plans to hang on the sides of the canopy over its fuel pumps, decal signs on its windows and what is referred to as a monument sign. Giant Eagle will be permitted a grand opening sign and will be allowed to have a “help wanted” sign for at least the first four weeks it’s open.

In total, there was a package of about 14 signs Giant Eagle wanted at the GetGo store planned at the site of the former Family Video at South Main Street and Euclid Avenue.

Giant Eagle had revised its sign package from when it initially was submitted because there were signs that were not in compliance with the city’s zoning ordinance, said Jeff Raykes, city planning director. Some signs were too large, and, in other instances, there were more signs of the same type than permitted.

The city had approved the site plan in October for the store, which will face Euclid Avenue in the northern end of the parcel, adjacent to the parking area for Main Bowling Center.

To construct the convenience store, Giant Eagle will raze the building, which was a supermarket before it was a video store.

Depending upon the approval of all of the necessary plans and obtaining permits, William Sittig, attorney for Giant Eagle, said site work could begin this spring and it usually takes about six months.

A traffic management plan for the store is under review, Raykes said.

It was the management of traffic and the widening of South Main Street that brought Jason Garber, new owner of Callaghan’s tavern, to question whether PennDOT will take the sidewalk in front of his property to create a turning lane for the new store.

“I hope the street is not going to be moved into our building,” Garber said. He said he has seen different maps that appear to widen the street along the west side of South Main Street, impacting his and other properties.

“If they take our sidewalks, we’ll lose any commerce we have,” Garber said.

Sittig said he is not aware of any plans for the state to take the sidewalk along the tavern or the other properties in that section of South Main Street. The creation of a turning lane would be within PennDOT’s right of way and is not touching anyone’s property, Sittig said.

Raykes promised he would get Garber any information he can.