Everyday on his way to his Ithaca business,
Schrader Environmental,
Old Town resident Dale Schrader would pass two deteriorating properties on Grand River - an old gas station and a neighboring home.
“I just always thought they were cool properties,” he says. “It was such a prominent corner there in Old Town, I thought it was important for them to be fixed up.”
Though the 3,200 square foot residence and 260 square foot commercial property were just $15,000 and $25,000 respectively, Schrader rolled up his sleeves to pour time, care and more than $100,000 into the pair.
“I’m not holding back on making it nice,” he says. “I’m doing it first class.”
Construction on the properties has been underway since 2009. The house now houses tenants in two apartments and a third is in process. Roofing has been completed on the gas station, which Schrader hopes will someday house a drive-thru coffee house, lawyer’s office, or possibly a massage salon.
Façade work is next for the gas station, boosted by a $7,500
Lansing Economic Development Corporation grant. While Schrader expects exterior work to be completed by April, interior work is currently delayed by concern over whether the small historic building must meet handicap restroom requirements.
Historical accuracy is of utmost importance to Schrader as the project continues, as is the project’s potential impact on the neighborhood. “
“My hope is it will open up that whole west corridor west of Old Town for more developments,” Schrader says.
Source: Dale Schrader, Developer
Writer: Natalie Burg, News Editor
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