Community response to GV purchase of Admiral station mixed
GV Board of Trustees approves $1M purchase of Fulton Street gas station, completes 30-acre assemblage of land
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GVL / Eric Coulter
The Admiral Tobacco gas station has been purchased by Grand Valley State University. The gas station is located in front of the new Business School.
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The Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees approved the purchase of the Admiral gas station on Fulton Street on April 27, but in the ensuing week, the community reaction to the purchase has been lukewarm.
The purchase of the station, which was a convenient spot for
students, staff and faculty to gas up or grab snacks and cigarettes, was one of only a handful of gas stations downtown. Now, only three gas stations remain — a Mobil station on Market Avenue SW, a Shell station at the corner of Wealthy and Division
and a Marathon station at the corner of College and Michigan — prompting some residents’ concerns about being able to fuel their
vehicles.
Some students, particularly those who smoke, were also disappointed
by the decision.
University Counsel Tom Butcher said the quarter-acre piece of property was targeted for purchase because of its proximity to the university and the new Seidman College of Business, which is currently under construction.
The property gives GVSU an “assemblage” of land bounded by
the Grand River, Winter Avenue, Fulton Street and Butterworth Avenue.
“This is a positive move for the university, but also for the city,”
Butcher said in a statement. “It’s part of Grand Valley’s initiative
to improve the west side of the city, and the best use of this
property is for educational purposes.”
While some mourned the station’s closing on social media and
in the comment sections of news sites, others agreed that removing
the station was better for the city. “If you are going to get murdered downtown GR, this is the place,”tweeted GVSU senior Aaron
Brandt last week. “Good for GVSU to snag it and tear it down.”
The Board of Trustees approved the purchase for $1 million, five times the property’s estimated value of $194,800, according to Grand Rapids city records. Butcher said the premium price was justified because it was the final piece to complete the university’s land parcel downtown.
According to city records, the Admiral station was purchased from Speedway American for $123,714 in 2000.
Admiral Petroleum Co. of Coopersville, Mich., which owns the property, will be responsible for removing the underground storage tanks, canopy and building from the property.
The Board of Trustees meets four times each year. Their next meeting will be July 13 at 11 a.m. in the Kirkhof Center, Room 2204. For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/trustees.
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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