St. Clair Shores

Foreclosed Harper gas station sold to new owner

By Kristyne E. Demske
C & G Staff Writer

The city will divest itself of a commercial gas station early next year after City Council approved the sale of the property on Harper Avenue south of 13 Mile Road.

The city acquired the property, which used to be a Citgo gas station, through the Macomb County Tax Foreclosure list in July for $31,515 and had to put more than $14,500 into environmental cleanup, repairs and utilities at the property. Community Development and Inspection Director Chris Rayes reported in November that the city had received a cash offer of $120,000 for the property, which City Council voted Nov. 19 to accept.

Along with the offer, Rayes said the new owner agreed to re-brick three sides of the building, replace the broken concrete, seal and stripe the parking lot, remove the abandoned pay-phone booth, replace the canopy lights with recessed lights, install new wooden gates on the dumpster and put a knee wall on the corner of the property.

The buyer also agreed to a new landscape plan and will repaint the sign.

“They must be done as part of the improvements in order to get the CFO (certificate of occupancy),” Rayes said.

He said the city would realize a potential profit of $67,683 on the property.

Councilman John Caron pointed out that the required environmental inspections had been completed prior to the sale of the property.

“There should be no surprises,” Rayes agreed. “We know all the data, and it’s been reviewed.”

Councilman Ron Frederick asked if the new landscape plan included sprinklers and was assured that they are now part of the city ordinance.

“We just want it to look good,” he said. “Good time to catch it.”

Rayes said the new owner expects to close on the property at the end of January. It is planned to be another gas station, but the brand is not known, he said.

The vote approving the sale passed unanimously.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Kristyne E. Demske at kdemske@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1041.