The price of gas didn’t surpass the available space in the Morro Bay Shell Station’s marque sign, forcing it to go black. The station isn’t pumping gas in anticipation of a refurbishing project. Photo by Neil Farrell
Motorists in Morro Bay have one less option for filling up, after a local gas station ceased pumping gas in advance of a major refurbishing of the fueling system.
The Shell Station at the corner of Morro Bay Boulevard and Kern Avenue hasn’t been selling gasoline for several weeks now, though the little mini mart store has remained open for business.
According to the City Planning Director the station is to undergo an expansion and refurbishing.
Community Development Director Airlin Singewald forwarded a permit that station owner 7-11 Inc., was issued in May.
Under “Description” the permit said, “DIGEPLAN — Various site and demolition work to existing underground fuel tanks. Electrical, wiring, update existing dispensers, vapor and vent piping systems, vacuum lines, four new stainless-steel islands, new overfill alarm.”
The permit lists a value for the overall job of $150,000 for which the City charged $4,122 in fees that was paid with a credit card by Allison McConnell of Petro Builders, Inc., the agent listed on the permit. And, 7-Eleven, Inc., of Dallas, Texas is listed as the property owner.
When it gets underway, which could be as soon as this week, working hours for the job are limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends.
While the station is down for repairs, that will leave the city with just four gas stations‚ two on Morro Bay Boulevard — Mobile and SInclair, and two on North Main Street — Anchor Gas (formerly Lucky 7) and USA Gas (formerly Chevron).
Director Singewald said the City hasn’t been told if the station would reopen as a Shell or 7-Eleven.
“We haven’t received a sign permit or business license application to convert the Shell station to a 7-Eleven,” Singewald said adding “7-Eleven was the owner of the Shell station before they applied for this renovation permit.”
That site has long been a service station and change is not new. Over its long life it was formerly a Beacon station, Valero, and BP before becoming a Shell station.
Estero Bay News sent inquiries to McConnell via email, and asking about the timeline, but she didn’t respond before deadline.
