One too many abandoned gas stations in WNY

They are boarded up, abandoned, and scattered all over Western New York. 

Neighbors say zombie gas stations are eyesores to their communities. Cherryl Daulton owns of Winfield’s Pub near an old Sunoco on Ridge Road in Lackawanna. 

“If you’re trying to drive to it and you see something like this it like kind of makes you wonder about the entire area,” Daulton said. 

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer was in Buffalo today to urge gas companies like Sunoco to immediately address these zombie properties. Schumer said the number of gas stations are declining, while old service stations are causing property values to decline. 

Some people are concern about the large gas tanks left underground after the stations close. 

“Much worse than that it’s harder to attract businesses and attract people when you have a lot like this,” Schumer said. 

Municipalities like Amherst are turning to eminent domain to gain the rights of properties like this one on Niagara Falls Boulevard. 

Schumer said he will call on owners of abandoned gas station sites to work with Western New York Municipalities to develop long-term redevelopment plans.