Gas Station Opening Moves Closer to Reality
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Published on Sunday, 30 September 2012 16:23
The opening of a gas station in the town of Ave Maria, an event that has been "coming soon" since the first residents moved into town more than five years ago, appears to be a step closer to reality.
Ave Maria Development has reached an agreement to sell the gas station property, which has been uncompleted for years, to a company the firm is calling a "substantial distributor" who will offer a "major brand" of gasoline, Barron Collier Vice President Tom Sansbury said Sunday.
The sale will not be final until after a successful completion of a due dilligence period in mid-October, Mr. Sansbury said, but if the deal does close then he said he expects the gas station would open in the first few months of 2013. A more detailed opening scenario, along with the name of the operator, will be disclosed if the deal closes, he said.
Barron Collier Vice President Blake Gable said in a televised interview Sunday with Naples Daily News Editorial Page Editor Jeff Lytle that they had "just sold the gas station."
Completion of the gas station has been stalled for several years. The original owner of the property, who purchased it before the town of Ave Maria was open, got as far as putting up the structures and installing the tanks before going bankrupt. Further development was delayed while various banks determined what to do with the property. Eventually, in January of 2012, Ave Maria Development -- which had sold the property to the initial purchaser -- bought it back and began searching for someone to operate the gas station, either through a lease or purchase.
