With the canopy removed last week and large gas tanks expected to be removed by the end of this week, the former Shell gas station in Sandusky is currently undergoing a transformation under the guidance of McKenzie Health Systems CEO and President, Steve Barnett.
Barnett, who has been in the role since 2008, overseeing hospital renovations and updates, noted that the gas station was purchased mid-2022 after sitting empty since about 2007. He also said that the property purchase was motivated by McKenzie’s purchase of 22 acres of land from behind the Shell Station at 465 West Sanilac Avenue about two years ago.
The property stretches from the gas station to behind Graff Chevrolet, located at 495 West Sanilac Avenue, with the gas station’s parking lot being the larger property’s direct access to main road M-46. However, as to plans for the gas station’s site, Barnett says they’re waiting first to see the results of the master facility planning process.
Master facility planning is a regulatory process which will take into account the present facilities in the McKenzie Health System, potential options and additions for the current facility. It also will note further options/opportunities to be done at the 22-acre property.
Barnett estimates that results from the currently ongoing process will be completed in the next couple of months, or at most, 6 months. Though they should have a clearer picture in mind for the site by then, Barnett admits that, “For now, we’re not sure.”
He laughs, saying, “You’ll see a car wash which we don’t intend to use as a car wash going forward, and you’ll see the building remain there for the time being.” While he says the building may be used in the meantime, for now, the station and car wash are remaining as they take stock of what they have and what they can keep.
In the meantime, he thanks the local community for their support and curiosity, saying, “I just hope that the community is patient and just gives us time to go through the due diligence process so that when we do make some sort of announcement, we can hang our hat on that announcement and be confident that we’ll be moving forward with whatever we come up with.”
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