Monday, April 20, 2009

KenTal Update: Kensington Terrace

I haven't posted neighborhood news in a while, but a lot of people have asked me if I know why the gas station near the Ken Club on Adams Avenue has closed, so I thought I'd post the information direct from the Heart of Kensington newsletter:
Gas Station Closed on March 31st

The gas station at 4142 Adams Avenue (corner of Marlborough and Adams) closed for the sale of gas on March 31, 2009. The State Air Resources Control Board required all gas stations to install a "Phase II Enhanced Vapor Recovery System" by April 1, 2009. The owner of the gas station has decided not to pay for the upgrades necessary to receive certification from the State at this time, pending negotiations that would allow the station to reopen.

Jacob’s repair shop and the convenience store remain open. Only the gas pumps have been shutdown. The owner of the gas station is negotiating with Allard Jansen, the property owner. If the owner is able to secure a two-year lease, which would make the pump upgrade cost-effective, then the upgrades will be done. In that case,
after the State EPA inspector recertifies the pumps, they will re-open.

Stay tuned for more information about this topic. This has a direct connection to the development of Kensington Terrace.


Reading between the lines a little: Jacob was going to have to close his entire auto shop and gas station because the Kensington Terrace project was supposed to start construction this summer. With the economy the way it is, the project might be delayed, postponed, or otherwise reconsidered, which would allow Jacob to extend his lease and stay in business in his current location for a while longer. I would like to see Jacob stay, but now that the houses and apartments have been bulldozed, I don't know that I'd want to stare at that vacant property for 2 years either. I guess it's a wait and see what happens situation.

1 comment:

J said...

Just wanted to chime in that Jacob is a great, honest, mechanic. Overworked? Yes. But honest.