UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa.,None — Nearly three months after the plan was proposed, Unity supervisors on Wednesday gave developers the go-ahead to demolish the landmark Hi-Way Drive-In along Route 30 to make way for a CVS pharmacy.
The plan was proposed in March by BAR/PPR LLC and PA CVS Pharmacy LLC to combine three parcels of land totaling .77 acres from the 2-acre lot where the drive-in stands at the intersection of Route 30 and Theatre Street, and build a 13,225-square-foot pharmacy.
During the initial township planning commission meeting in March when the proposal was first reviewed, the seats were filled with more than 50 township residents expressing concerns over demolishing the iconic drive-in, which has stood at the spot for more than 50 years.
Petitions were presented and comments were heard for more than three hours at the initial meeting, with some attending and protesting the demolition of the drive-in at the subsequent meetings. Yesterday, during what would be the final phase of the discussion, fewer than 10 people were in attendance.
But those at the meeting still fought until the last second, presenting petitions -- 109 signatures were gathered in a short time before the meeting yesterday -- and voicing concerns.
"This isn't anything against CVS ... this is about taking a piece of our history for no apparent reason," said Cindy Yutzy of Latrobe, adding that she believes that CVS could have found other land to purchase for a new pharmacy. "This is a piece of our history and, slowly, every piece of our history is going bye-bye because of big business."
Lee and Kathy Zimmerman, who operated the 730-car drive-in until its final showing last fall also operated a popular flea market at the location every Sunday, attracting about 150 to 200 vendors every week. The flea market has since found a new venue at the Pleasant Unity Fire Department.
The drive-in was owned by Latrobe-based Dill Construction Co. and leased on a year-to-year basis by the Zimmermans.
In May, P. Richard Ridilla, owner of the drive-in and the property it has sat on since 1950, wrote a letter to township officials indicating that, regardless of the outcome of the township's negotiations with CVS, the drive-in and flea market would no longer be in operation.
Ridilla wrote that the Zimmermans said the drive-in and flea market have not been profitable for some time.
"Perhaps it was our mistake not to terminate our relationship years ago," Ridilla wrote.
"The CVS development on this site is a huge improvement to the current condition of the real estate and to the township," he wrote, adding that the screen and equipment are "antiquated and deplorable and present a potential liability to all involved."
Developers said the screens and equipment will be razed, and construction will begin sometime later this summer, as soon as all permits are issued.
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