Propane Store Clean-Up Proposal

Cleaning Up a Russell Eyesore and Putting It Back to Work

In-N-Out Propane as it sits today at the corner of Chillicothe Road and Music Street

One of the most visible eyesores in Russell Township is the old propane store at 15536 Chillicothe Road, right at the intersection of State Route 306 and Music Street. The lot is zoned commercial, which means it has the potential to generate meaningful property and sales tax revenue for our township. But right now, it sits empty and deteriorating — doing nothing to help our community.

Why the Township Can’t Just “Force” Action

Legally, this property is not yet considered overgrown or unsafe, which limits what the township can do through code enforcement alone. That’s why any solution must be proactive and strategic rather than reactive.

Adding to the complexity, underground gas tanks remain on the property from its propane retail days. Before the lot can be transferred or redeveloped, soil remediation will be required to clean up any potential pollution from those tanks. This isn’t optional — it’s a state and federal requirement for environmental safety.

A Real Opportunity for Partnership

Rather than letting this site sit idle for years to come, we can work directly with the current property owner to explore options, including:

• Assessing the cost of remediation

• Exploring the possibility of the township acquiring the lot at fair market value

• Searching for state and EPA grant funding to cover the cleanup and demolition of the structure

This approach isn’t just about cleaning up a property — it’s about positioning the parcel for future private development that strengthens our commercial tax base.

From Blight to Benefit

Once cleaned and cleared, the township could sell the lot to a new owner interested in revitalizing the site with a new business. In fact, I recently spoke with someone who expressed interest in purchasing the property for just that purpose.

A new business here would:

• Increase property value and tax revenue

• Generate new sales tax income

• Improve the appearance of one of Russell’s busiest intersections

• Help attract additional investment in our community

An AI Generated Image of What the Corner Could Look Like

Thinking Beyond Today

This is exactly the kind of practical, forward-looking problem-solving Russell Township needs. We can either watch this property sit idle for another decade, or we can build partnerships, tap grant resources, and turn a liability into an asset.

If elected, Heutmaker & Ishee will work to bring all parties to the table — the Trustees, zoning department, property owner, environmental authorities, potential developers, and grant partners — to find a smart, realistic path forward.

Let’s make 15536 Chillicothe Road a success story for Russell.