Community rallies against proposed Love’s location south of St. Louis

A community outside of St. Louis Missouri is working together to protest a proposed Love’s location that would back up to their neighborhood, citing noise, pollution, and danger to children. 

The neighborhood in Herculaneum in Jefferson County backs up to an open field. While once a pleasant aspect of living in the community, the same field now poses a potential issue as Love’s considers building their next truck stop in the lot, which concerns longtime residents. 

“My wife and I go out and sit on the patio on these cool evenings and we enjoy it with the birds and everything,” said Mike Rose, who bought his home in the neighborhood 17 years ago and always thought he would retire there. Now, he fears the peace and quiet may be replaced by idling trucks and diesel fumes. 

“It’s too close to this neighborhood,” Rose said to 5 On Your Side News. “They’re going to be in my backyard. All of the fumes are going to be right there in my backyard.”

“They’re talking 500 trucks a day going to the port,” said Scott Siegel, another resident. “There’s no way we can do that right here. We can’t handle the traffic.”

In an attempt to stop the potential construction, the residents of the Providence subdivision have started an online petition listing their concerns, and have even begun small protests demonstrating their concern. 

“One wrong turn and you’re in an environment with 700 or 800 kids,” Israel Clayman said.

“We had a semi [truck] come into the subdivision today and make a wrong turn,” Justin Schweiss said during one of the demonstrations. “This is what we’re going to be dealing with all of the time.”

“Nobody here is against a truck stop,” Siegel said. “We are against the location of the truck stop. We would be ok with a Dollar General, an Olive Garden, an Aldi’s, or something smaller,” Siegel said. 

“This is not a revenue maker…this is our home,” said Clayman.

Love’s issued the following statement in response to the residents’ concerns: 

“Love’s places stores in areas that are easy to access for customers, and the business-zoned area it’s doing due diligence on off Interstate 55, in Herculaneum fits that. The location will also provide a safe and clean stop for drivers accessing the port nearby. The company will work with local officials to hold a public meeting to collect input on things like food offerings that will be available at the location and to address any concerns. Love’s is excited to join the growing community and bring with it the job opportunities, economic impacts and community giving initiatives a new location brings.”

The people of Providence subdivision are holding an information session regarding their petition at the community clubhouse on Sunday at 3p.m.