Demolition of BP, convenience store near Lake Lanier completed
Published 4:52 pm Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The demolition work at Diamond B Kwik Shop at the Lake Lanier entrance has been completed after the N.C. inspectors approved soil and groundwater testing.
The Burrell&39;s Fuels Inc. BP convenience center and several small restaurants next door have been out of business since last year.
The building was demolished and due to fuel tanks being housed underground, state testing had to be done before the holes were covered.
Tryon Planner Erin Burris says the town has been monitoring the situation after a call of concern was made to her office due to piles of concrete and large holes being left after the demolition.
The town sent a letter to Burrell&squo;s Fuel, Inc. recently asking for the demolition to be cleaned up. Burris also contacted state environmental offices where Burrell&squo;s had received all necessary permits for the work. (see letter from Burrell&squo;s Fuel manager Kim Burrell Culbreth, pg. 6 for details of the permitting process)
Tryon only deals with the demolition of structures that are 50 years or older, which the Diamond B Kwik Shop was not. Polk County does issue demolition permits and although Burrell&squo;s did not seek a demolition permit from the county, they did complete all necessary permitting with the state.
The property is owned by John Belk, out of Greenville, S.C. No plans for the property have been announced.