02-02-2015, 01:34 PM
(02-02-2015, 10:01 AM)BuildingScout Wrote: Usually when former gas stations are not developed is due to fears of heavy ground pollution. The former gas station and Union and Belmont as well as the lot you mention on King St. N. are examples of rather valuable property that has been left untouched, presumably for this reason.
Consider the lot at Union and Belmont. It's been vacant for well over a decade. If it's owned privately then someone has been paying property tax on it. They also continue to be liable for any pollution remediation before they can put the lot to use or sell it. So why wait? If cleanup is needed it's not going to get cheaper in the future.
Moreover if the concern is ground pollution then doesn't the city have some responsibility for putting pressure on the owner to do it now rather than continue with the risk that this pollution gets into the water system?
I'm asking about Union and Belmont because it's been vacant for so long. The same applies to the Husky although at this time we don't know if the lot owner has an definite plans.