Old Exeter Gas Station to Get New Life

An abandoned Getty gas station that has long been an eyesore in the downtown area will soon get new life.

Town officials plan to turn the property into public parking after buying it for $49,000. Voters the purchase during Town Meeting earlier this year.

"Acquiring the property was a big step for that area," Town Manger Russ Dean said in a statement today announcing the town closed on the purchase. "We’ll be able to remove the old building and the sign, which will be a good start."

The property is located right next to the and Departments at the corner of Court Street and Bow Street. Long term, town officials have discussed possibly using the land to expand those departments.

The deal was nearly jeopardized in December when about 60 residents forcing the purchase plan to go before voters at Town Meeting, and thus be delayed. Town officials were concerned the delay would affect the purchase, but that turned out not to be the case.

Voters approving buying the property by a majority of about 70 percent to about 30 percent.

Highway Superintendent Jay Perkins will lead the renovation process to turn the land into public parking.

An environmental assessment was recently done on the land and Dean said it came out "favorably" after Getty removed underground tanks that stored gas.