WESTBROOK — It’ll soon be out with the old and in with the new at Holly’s Super Gas at 380 Main St.

The planning Board has approved a proposal from H.A. Mapes Inc., a family-owned gasoline and diesel distributor based in Springvale, to turn the 40-year-old full-service gas station into a self-service station and small neighborhood convenience store.

The proposal, which passed unanimously Dec. 4, calls for demolishing the existing building, built in 1940, and constructing a 1,957-square-foot building. The business will sell coffee, food and drinks.

“H.A. Mapes is trying to increase its presence in the Portland area with family-friendly neighborhood stores,” said Patrick Coughlin,  director of engineering at St. Germain Collins engineering firm.

The store will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

“I strongly hope there not be a noise component,”  Planning Board member Robin Tannenbaum said before the board voted.

Unlike similar businesses, H.A. Mapes will not use audio or video monitors to get customers’ attention at the gas pumps.

The existing gas canopy will be refurbished. Site improvements include a new sidewalk along Lamb and Main streets, the elimination of curb cuts on Lamb Street and new landscaping.

Ralph Leo, owner of Holly’s, supports the redevelopment of his former property.

“It’s a good move for Westbrook because Mapes is going to clean it up nice,” he told the American Journal in September. “I don’t have the funding to do that. They’ll do a good job.”

Leo said the timing was right to sell his building. With H.A. Mapes’ redevelopment plans at the gas station site, Leo is scaling down his operations. He will cease his gas station operation in Westbrook, but will continue delivering oil to customers in the city. Holly’s will also continue to operate its gas station and oil delivery business in Arundel.

City Planner Jennie Franceschi said H.A Mapes has yet to get a permit to demolish the existing building and abutters will be alerted when the permit is requested. H.A. Mapes has a year to begin the project and two years to complete it.

“I think it will be a couple of months before you see any activity there,” said Jonathan Mapes, president of H.A. Mapes.

Mapes anticipates a late summer opening.

“I thought it’d be open by now, but the wheels of progress are slower than ever and getting contractors to do the work – they are so busy – that’s going to play into the delayed opening,” he said.

The Planning Board also approved a plan from DWN Asset Management to construct Minnow Brook subdivision, a 7-unit single family development on close to 40 acres of largely open space on Duck Pond Road across from Old Farm Road. The property would be accessed through two private ways. Adrienne Fine, an engineer with Terradyn Consultants said 34 acres of the site will remain open space and be given to the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust for trails. 

Michael Kelley can be reached at 780-9106 or [email protected] or on Twitter @mkelleynews

H.A. Mapes received approval last week to redevelop the Holly’s Super Gas location on Main Street into a convenience store and self-serve gas station. The hope is to be open by late summer 2019.