Demolition could begin soon for vacant gas station in downtown Grand Blanc

GRAND BLANC, MI Demolition of the vacant Citgo gas station in downtown Grand Blanc is expected to start as soon as next week now that a reimbursement agreement with the city is in place.

The Grand Blanc City Council has agreed to reimburse A. F. Jonna Development and Management Co. as much a $900,000 for cleanup at the site.

The site has sat vacant for about three years.

Arkan Jonna said he started working on this project back in October 2011.

"It's been a long time since I've had a community work with us to try to clean up a mess," Jonna said. "There was trust on both sides to get to this point."

Planned for the site, located at the corner of Saginaw Street and Grand Blanc Road, are two commercial retail buildings one 8,800 square feet and the other 3,200 square feet. Both will be single-story buildings.

The city will reimburse Jonna for the cost of the cleanup which includes demolishing the building, removal of the storage tanks and any environmental cleanup of the soil.

It is estimated to cost about $903,000, although City Manager Paul Brake said the cost might come in less than estimated. The city will pay for the costs through a bond.

As part of the proposed development, FirstMerit Bank's driveway, which is located just north of the site, will be developed into a sidewalk and community space. An entrance into FirstMerit Bank will be added from Saginaw Street.

"I'm anxiously awaiting this project as the rest of the city is, as well as what things we can potentially do in the future," said City Councilman James Bappert.

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Demolition could begin soon for vacant gas station in downtown Grand Blanc