ASHLAND — An old, abandoned gas station along Claremont Avenue will soon be demolished.
The city received a $250,000 grant from the state’s Abandoned Gas Station Cleanup Program. It is known as the Eagle Gas Station, located at 602 Claremont Ave.
Council unanimously approved an ordinance that authorizes officials to move forward with the project using grant funds.
Mayor Matt Miller said demolition will begin this year and the work is expected to be complete sometime next year.
The city-owned site still has overhangs and underground storage tanks. The grant will cover environmental assessments, demolition and reseeding the ground with grass. Miller said the city will then need to decide on what to do with the property.
“There are a lot of community members who have watched that property over the years and it’s gratifying to get to this point,” said council President Steve Workman.
Councilman Bob Valentine said he was concerned with a parking issue at the site, which he fears could lead to injury as vehicles pull out and damage to a nearby sidewalk. He said the same two or three vehicles park in a spot that is not legal.
Miller said the city would need to take a look at the issue.
