In Manhattan, it's almost easier to direct someone to a place where a gas station used to be than to tell them where one is. According to a recent article in the New York Times, there are currently only 117 stations left on the island, down 44 percent from 2004. Condos, stores, and offices are popping up in old gas station lots when the leases are up because of the prime real estate. A corner of a busy intersection is a no-brainer in a city where most offices and apartments are tucked away or are stacked in buildings with lots of other businesses.
Of course more residential space is a good thing (for those who can afford it), but what about people who need the gas? The article mentions the long lines post Hurricane Sandy and all of the cab drivers and motorists who depend on the stations to get from point A to point B. It's partially on the gas station owners whether or not they want to or can afford to not accept the hefty sums offered by developers, but there is much more to the story than that. Head over to the NYTimes to read the full article.
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[via NYTimes]
