GAS — With a unanimous vote, Gas councilmen initiated a fledgling industrial boom in their town Tuesday evening. They approved rezoning and a conditional use permit for Corey Emerson to open a ready mix concrete plant on site of the old 54 Drive-in Theater.
Larry Macha, of Se-Kan Asphalt Services, owns the 17 acres where the drive-in lured carloads to outdoor entertainment for decades. “I’m renting the northwest part of the site to Corey,” he told councilmen.
But, Macha added, “you never know what might pop up. This could become a little industrial park for you.”
The addition will mean an increase in both assessed valuation for the city and more sales tax revenue.
Emerson said he would have five trucks operating from the base station, with rock, sand and cement being hauled in and concrete being hauled out.
The Gas Planning Commission recommended legal changes to permit the business, ignoring, as did council members, a letter from Kenneth Myers, who owns the old 54 Motel between the property and U.S. 54.
Myers said dust and traffic generated by the ready mix plant would make his property useless; councilmen didn’t see the big picture that way and commended Emerson for wanting to open the business.
“It will be good for Gas,” said Mayor Darrell Catron.
Otherwise, they decided to put off any decisions on how to operate the town’s new community center until sometime in January, when they will meet with a committee formed to give them thoughts and ideas.
Councilman Rick Schulenberg said the soup supper last Thursday brought in $398 in donations, which will be used to help outfit the center.
Questions that remain for committee members include:
— How will use for recreational purposes, mainly kids playing basketball in the gym, be handled.
— At what age is a person considered a senior citizen, and thus eligible to use the room set aside for that segment of the population on certain nights.
— How will the four former classrooms of the old school be designated.
— Will consumption of alcohol be allowed in the center.
Rental of a room and gymnasium has been established at $50, with a $50 refundable deposit.
Gas approves ready mix plant
