The Property operated as a service station dispensing petroleum beginning in 1941. From 1941 through the late 1970's, multiple entities owned/operated the service station including Signal Oil Company, Humble Oil and Refining Company, Exxon Corporation, and finally, David H. Dalby. The service station was erected on wooden pilings that extend into the steep western bank of Sand Creek and into Sand Creek itself. Because the building was erected on wooden piers, Signal Oil Company received permission to place 3 USTs for fuel dispensing beneath the City of Sandpoint's sidewalk and First Avenue. In 1979, Mr. Dalby quit dispensing fuel and extensively remodeled the service station into two retail storefronts. Fuel dispensers and associated fuel lines, the lube bay hydraulic lift, the used oil tank were all removed during the remodel. On December 19, 1988, the City of Sandpoint issued City Building Permit #779 to Dave Dalby to "Fill Three Underground Storage Tanks with Sand and Water" "as per federal specs." From the early 1980's until September 2018, the property was home to a variety of different retail businesses including a restaurant, an art gallery, a health food store, and an ice cream parlor. In September 2018, the building was labeled unsafe by the City of Sandpoint engineer, noting the presence of multiple rotting beams and joists roped to newer solid wooden pieces added haphazardly over time. Plans do not include keeping the existing two retail businesses. For the past 20 years, Arlo's Ristorante and Blue Lizard Indian Art occupied the former service station space. On 9/5/18, both Arlo's and Blue Lizard closed down and are reportedly looking for new locations. The Property is located in downtown Sandpoint next to the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market. The Property is zoned Commercial-A. According to city code, "the city's downtown, designated as commercial A is so important and significant to the city, that it justifies a special set of regulations designed to protect and enhance its character in light of new development." On August 9. 2018, Forest Lane LLC sent a letter of intent to purchase the property from the Dalby family, depending on the outcome of an IDEQ Brownfields Phase I ESA. Proposed reuse includes demolition of the existing former service station building followed by construction of 4 to 6 story mixed-use building. On September 17, 2018, IDEQ received a letter from the mayor of Sandpoint supporting the Property's application into the Brownfields program. IDEQ's contractor completed the Phase I ESA on January 4, 2019, the following RECs were discovered: 1) There are 3 USTs from the fuel dispensing operation beneath the City of Sandpoint's sidewalk and First Avenue. Information stating that the USTs were decommissioned in place was discovered; however, there was no confirmation soil sampling was performed at the time of decommissioning. 2) There is an AST located beneath the Site building that was used for either heating oil or used oil storage.
Former Use: In 1941, Signal Oil Company purchased the land to build a service station erected on wooden pilings that extend into the western bank of Sand Creek. Because the station itself was erected on wooden piers, Signal Oil received permission from the City of Sandpoint to place 3 USTs for fuel dispensing beneath the City's sidewalk and First Avenue. Two of the USTs had a capacity of 658 gallons, while the third had a capacity of 470 gallons. On April 13, 1967 Standard Oil Company of California, doing business as Signal Oil Company, sold the property and station to Humble Oil and Refining Company. On April 9, 1973, Exxon Corporation, formerly Humble Oil and Refining Company, sold the property and station for $10.00 to David H. Dalby and his wife, Marilyn R. Dalby. Mr. and Mrs. Dalby operated the Exxon-branded station until 1979 when they quit dispensing fuel. The building was extensively remodeled and turned into two retail storefronts. Fuel dispensers and associat