Athens County Port Authority Awarded State Grant to Remediate Former Gas Station Site for EV Hub Redevelopment

ATHENS, Ohio — The Athens County Port Authority has received a $225,183 assessment grant from the Ohio Department of Development’s Brownfield Remediation Program to support environmental cleanup at the former Russell’s Gas Station site at 136 Columbus Road, Athens, OH 45701. The funding is part of a broader $60 million statewide investment announced by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, benefiting communities in 27 counties in Ohio.

The remediation project will involve the removal of up to three underground gasoline storage tanks, associated subsurface piping, and approximately 100 tons of petroleum-contaminated soil. The site, previously used as a gas station and convenience store since at least 1969, has been unoccupied for years and is not currently listed in the state’s underground tank tracking database.

Once remediation is complete, the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) will redevelop the property into a regional, multi-modal electric vehicle (EV) charging and transportation hub. The new facility is expected to enhance regional connectivity, support EV adoption, and complement ongoing infrastructure and outdoor recreation initiatives in southeast Ohio.

“Transforming this vacant property into a renewable energy transportation hub reflects SOPEC’s mission to advance sustainable, equitable infrastructure in Ohio,” said SOPEC Executive Director Luke Sulfridge. “This project not only addresses environmental concerns but also creates a foundation for long-term regional mobility and economic growth.”

“This is a critical and exciting first step toward redevelopment of this iconic Athens building,” said Athens County Port Authority Director Mollie Fitzgerald. “The timing is also well aligned with other significant investments being made along the Columbus Road corridor.”

The assessment and cleanup efforts at the Russell’s Gas Station site are designed to meet the corrective action standards of the Ohio Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR) and pave the way for a transformative redevelopment that aligns with Ohio’s economic development goals.

For more information about the project, contact the Athens County Port Authority. For more information about the development of the electric vehicle (EV) charging and transportation hub, contact SOPEC.