By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

                An abandoned gas station in east Williston won’t be the subject of a Williston City Council foreclosure until the city finds out its estimated costs for cleanup of the site.

            The city’s Board of Adjustment and Code Enforcement has recommended foreclosing on the former gas station at 811 E. Noble Ave. which would cost the city $2,300 in foreclosure costs alone.

            City officials anticipate the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will tap into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Superfund to pay for most of the cost associated with removal of the tanks and contaminated soil.

            City Planner Laura Jones said the city’s costs for the remediation process – removal of the tanks and contamination – are expected to be $500 but the council wants to be certain its costs won’t exceed that figure.

            She also wants to get a cost estimate on cleaning up the overgrown yard and any other expenses the city might incur after it forecloses and becomes the future owner.

            The property is identified on tax records as the Waymar, Inc. but the owners, who list a Williston address, haven’t cleaned up the property, paid back property taxes, or paid the more than $98,000 in city code enforcement liens.

            Property tax records show the gas station was built in 1964.

            Foreclosure is a legal process that comes at the end of code enforcement activities. In the best of all worlds, the city would prefer the owners take responsibility for cleanup and remediation.

            Jones said the owners were under the impression they weren’t allowed on the property during remediation. They were informed they could go on the property to mow grass and remove trash.

            “We informed them and they have not returned to do any cleanup,” Jones said.

            Jones said the old gas station is a gateway property at the east entrance of Williston along U.S. 27A, meaning it can be seen by motorists entering the city’s eastern entrance on the highway.

             The city council feels an obligation to its citizens to clean up the contaminated and blighted site but also wants to have a clear picture of what its costs would be.

            Council members have agreed to allow public works employees to mow the property and remove trash for now but are aware that even long-term routine city maintenance costs can add up over time.

            Jones said DEP has informed her that the agency won’t remove the tanks and contaminated soil for at least two years due to problems arising from COVID-19 issues.

            “It’s sort of at the bottom of their list,” she said.

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City of Williston Regular meeting March 2, 2021; Posted March 5, 2021