Residents worry Logan County eye sore could be potential safety hazard

An abandoned gas station in Logan County that hundreds of people drive by every single day has many residents concerned about a potential safety hazard.

LOGAN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) - An abandoned gas station in Logan County that hundreds of people drive by every single day has many residents concerned about a potential safety hazard.

The eye sore sustained damage in 2023. It is falling over, and residents say it is only getting worse. Plus, nothing is being done to fix the problem.

On the corner of Coltrane and Waterloo in Logan County, the abandoned Hess gas station immediately catches your eye. The entire front end of the awning is hanging down and sits very close to the street. Nearby residents are looking for someone to step in and fix the eye sore. 

“My concerns are twofold. There’s a safety issue, because the gas station is right there at the corner and the awning has sustained significant damage and it can easily blow off in these Oklahoma winds that we get, especially in April and May and June. And it's just very dilapidated and it's an eyesore... It’s a poor representation of what our state has to offer,” said Ronda Brazel-Grimes, Logan County resident.  

Logan County resident Ronda Brazel-Grimes says she has exhausted all officials' avenues to help clean up what she says is a potential safety hazard. 

“I made a couple phone calls and was told that there's nothing they could do because it's privately owned. And that's both concerning and good because that means the government can't come in and tell you what to do with your private property. However, when your private property is an eyesore and a potential hazard, there's got to be some sort of resolution,” said Brazel-Grimes.  

However, Logan County Commissioner Mark Sharpton tells KFOR this situation is a little bit tricky because of Oklahoma’s Dillon Rule. 

Sharpton sent KFOR this following statement:  

I have had one phone call that I remember and one social media post I was tagged in about the property located on Waterloo Rd and Coltrane Rd. 

Oklahoma is a Dillon Rule State. The Dillon Rule says that if the State Statutes must authorize the power to local government to have an action. In this case, Logan County lacks the authority to force a private property owner to clean or repair private property. The County does not have the right to enter onto private property to remove the fallen awning or the lawful grounds to cause legal action through Civil Court.  A simple search for the property owner will enable any citizen to file a lawsuit in Civil Court if they feel they have been harmed by the fallen awning. Although it’s unsightly, it’s not unlawful. I lack the power to remove the awning or demand it to be removed. 

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality told KFOR there would have to be some sort of environmental hazard for the agency to step in. A simple eye sore won't cut it.  

“Once a complaint comes in, we will send someone out to check it out and see what's going on. And then we will either refer to that or we will actually work that investigation,” said Erin Hatfield, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, director of communications. 

Hatfield says if a private property is determined to be an environmental hazard, ”We would work with the property owner to then determine the best course.” 

Ronda says she’s just looking for some sort of resolution. 

“It's not like this happened last week. This happened in 2023. And there's been more than enough time that's passed for them to resolve anything with any insurance. And nothing's happened. So, the lack of attention is disappointing,” said Brazel-Grimes. 

A spokesperson from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission sent us the following statement:

"Corporation Commission has jurisdiction over the underground fuel tanks of the facility. The agency has no authority over the building or other structures on the property."

Several Oklahoma agencies told KFOR the best way to find a solution is to contact the property owner for help. 

According to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission the property is owned by Mountain Express Oil Company out of Acworth, Georgia. However, according to the company’s website, it is permanently closed. A recent article published by C-Store Dive, the reporter wrote, “Mountain Express filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2023.”

KFOR tried getting ahold of the company, but were not successful.