Abandoned gas stations

[DTowner]

Or charge a small tax on gas sales to etablish an account to pay for the clean up of abondoned tanks - much like the oil producers pay to clean up abondon oil wells.  Of course, where the owner is known, the state should first go after them to pay for tank removal and remediation.

[rwarn17588]

Better yet:  rather than being a drain on the taxpayers, why not require a remediation deposit when the original permit is let for the project?  If they don't have enough money to pay for the installation and ultimate removal of the tanks when they go into business, then don't let them open in the first place.

Which is sort of what is happening now. When you add costs of remediation to the already-substantial expenses of rehabbing a long-abandoned property, that sucker's going to continue to sit -- as it has for decades.

That's not doing anybody any good.

I have some familiarity with the program in Arizona, and letting the property sit is unacceptable. Those underground storage tanks leak, and they're messing with groundwater and storm sewers. Those old gas stations aren't just an eyesore, they're a health hazard.

Most of the abandoned stations were owned by mom-and-pop operators who are long dead or long broke. A bunch of them were on Route 66, and their businesses died when Interstate 40 bypassed the town. Even a few chains went belly-up. The once-ubiquitous Whiting Bros. stations have been kaput for decades. I'm all for getting remediation money from the previous owners, but in many cases you can't get blood from a turnip.

I think Arizona's taking the long view and deciding that if these stations are rehabbed, you'll get a small business to move in there. With a small business operating in what was once a weed-infested mess, property values in the area will rise, which will in turn cause other entrepreneurs to take a second look at the area. Guess what happens as a result -- tax revenues will rise in an area that previously was stagnating or doing nothing.

And I didn't even mention the obvious benefit of safeguarding water supplies and keeping storm sewers from going kerblooey.

I think this is clearly a case where a bit of tax money improves the public good a great deal, sort of like giving public money to poor kids so they can attend college. The long-term social and financial benefits of such programs are immense. It's a no-brainer.

[tulsabug]

There are probably alot more with many of the Shell stations shutting down.

Speaking of which - what is with all the Shell stations shutting down? Went to get gas the other day and three of them I normally hit were all closed. The one closest to me is still open (21st and Sheridan) but the owners are letting it get so rundown that only about 3-4 pumps still work and the prices are always on the high end so I normally avoid it.

[godboko71]

Speaking of which - what is with all the Shell stations shutting down? Went to get gas the other day and three of them I normally hit were all closed. The one closest to me is still open (21st and Sheridan) but the owners are letting it get so rundown that only about 3-4 pumps still work and the prices are always on the high end so I normally avoid it.

One of the owners of lots of stations filed for bankruptcy. Think they where based in AR.

[hoodlum]

how topical....we just transformed an old gas station on 66 into our new offices.  1347 east 11th street. Might have been an old FINA?

anyone know

[waterboy]

how topical....we just transformed an old gas station on 66 into our new offices.  1347 east 11th street. Might have been an old FINA?

anyone know

Is that the one in front of the old LooBoyles? I remember a Consumers around there and a Pemco in that area.

[Townsend]

how topical....we just transformed an old gas station on 66 into our new offices.  1347 east 11th street. Might have been an old FINA?

anyone know

This'n?

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=1347%20east%2011th%20street%20tulsa

[T-TownMike]

Ironically enough, Kansas City has one of their best BBQ joints called OKLAHOMA Joe's and it's an old GAS STATION. The place is actually pretty cool and the BBQ is damn good. Think outside of the box.

[waterboy]

This'n?

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=1347%20east%2011th%20street%20tulsa

I once rented a duplex at 10th and Quaker back in the 70's, so I'm sure I bought gas there. Maybe Bates knows, I think it was a PEMCO (Petroleum Marketers Company).

[Stone]

Ironically enough, Kansas City has one of their best BBQ joints called OKLAHOMA Joe's and it's an old GAS STATION. The place is actually pretty cool and the BBQ is damn good. Think outside of the box.

Van's Pig Stand in Norman did the same thing, so it can be done.

[Conan71]

BBQ joint in a gas station isn't that unique a concept.  Albert G's at 27th/Harvard was an old Skelly or Texaco station, Hickory House in Sapulpa is another old service station, I believe.  Mercury Lounge at 18th & Boston was a good adaptive re-use (I'm sure some nearby residents may disagree) of a station.  That's just what I can think of in the immediate area, no telling how many there are around the country.

[mrB]

Not abandoned but ... I may have missed this elsewhere. Does anyone know about the future of the old 'Walkers' Gas Station at 3136 E 11th St. The tanks were removed this spring/summer and new concrete poured. Owner also owns parking lot to the south!

[Stone]

They tore down the old drive thru car wash and are moving dirt at 81st and Sheridan. Don't know what they're building, but its better than what was there.