While the land swap proposal may have initially seemed like a reasonable solution to both entities, the chosen location did not make sense. Originally the site of the Lincoln School, this lot – only a block away from Lake Winona – is designated as “Semi-public/Institutional/Education” in the city’s comprehensive plan. The lot is zoned R-1, as it is part of a low-density residential neighborhood that includes the many blocks between Sarnia Street and Lake Winona (both east and west of Huff Street).

The proposal to build a 9,000 sq ft store, with 20 gas pumps, 60 parking spaces, and 24-hour operation in this quiet neighborhood was opposed by most adjacent neighbors, who would have been adversely affected by noise, traffic, light, and fumes. Others in the neighborhood shared those concerns and worried about vehicles turning onto neighborhood streets to avoid the anticipated additional traffic near Huff and Sarnia streets. We were all concerned about the effect of increased traffic on the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists near Lake Park.

Many citizens outside this neighborhood opposed this plan because it would have set a precedent that sacrifices neighborhood integrity for the sake of corporate and institutional interests. As the city revisits its comprehensive plan in 2021, we believe that it is important to preserve residential neighborhoods.

Again, we thank Kwik Trip and WSU for respecting the wishes of neighbors and others in the Winona community.

Jim & Nancy Bambenek

Scott & Jane Biesanz

Clifford & Jeanine Black

Frank & Ruth Bures

Eric Christensen & Donna Kamann

Helen Davis

Greg & Janice Dienger

Ross & Kathy Dunsmoor

Merry Enright

Terry Erickson

Kent, Cathy & Scott Espe

Greg & Kathi Fischer

Dan & Mary Eileen Fitch

Will & Jen Gibson

Kurt Hinz & Gayle Gordon

Michael & Trisha Johnson

Judy Inman

Bruce & Margaret Shaw Johnson

Ethan & Jill Krase

Fred & Laurie Krause

Jack & Debbie Lipinski

Mark Loeffler

ChunLok Mah

Mark McGroarty & Nicole Speed

Charlie & Gail Opatz

Bill & Lori Ortega

Martha Ping

Melanie Reap

Joyce Rocco

Clyde & Ruth Rourke

Richard & Kathy Schell

Chuck & Judy Shepard

Tim Skwiot & Kirsten Kiesel

Norman & Clare Sobiesk

Kathryn Sullivan

Richie Swanson & Barbi Bell

Cory & Lauren Tomesh

Jerry & Susan Windley-Daoust

Joyce Woodworth

David Crawford & Jennifer Anderson

Jim & Laura Armstrong

William Arrick

Steve & Nancy Bachler

Bob & Mary Borgen

Bruno Borsari & Julie Chiasson

Jen Benson

Bob & Jan Brewer

Seymour & Marianna Byman

Dave & Kathy Christenson

Gerry Cichanowski

Michelle Cochran

Carolyn Collins

John Collins

Kent & Jane Cowgill

Don & Sandy Curtin

Emilio & Monica DeGrazia

Michael Doyle

Ray & Connie Dretske

John & Lois Durfey

Fran Edstrom

Brad Ellings

Vicki Englich

Christopher Espe

Mary Farrell

Ray & Carolyn Felton

Vanessa Fernandez Green

Kip & Joanne Gilbertson

Barbara Hassing

Amanda Hedlund

Kyle & Jen Herdina

Gordon Hoffert & Uli Schorn-Hoffert

Eleanor Johnson

Emily Johnson

Lauren Johnson

Peter Kleinschmidt

Howard & Tess Kruger

Sarah Kruger

Daryl Lanz

Preston & Kellie Lawing

Bob & Deb Leaf

Collette Leonhardt

Michael & Marilyn Meeker

Mariann Miller

Steve & Barb Nagel

Amy Nankivil

Eric Nelson

Brian & Betsy Neil

Debi Niebuhr

Mike & Susan O’Brien

Carolyn O'Grady

Anne Plummer

Carlton Robinson

Heidi Guenther Ryan

Peggy Sannerud

Gary & Catherine Schmidt

Cindy Scudiero

Frank & Peg Smith

Jennifer Sykes

Giulia Salvadori

Brian & Betty Singer-Towns

Ron & Diane Stevens

Tom Stoa & Christine Boudin-Stoa

Robert Tereba

Linda Theurer

Terry Tweedy

Rosine Tenenbaum

Dwayne Voegli

Joe Welch

Hank & Bunny Welle

Linda Wilfahrt

Gini Wilzbacher