Ezra Terra acquired former Texaco Bulk Plant in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
The former Texaco bulk plant sat vacant for decades. The bulk plant was built in 1915 and sat on the former Oc & E Woods Rail Line. Back in the 1980s, the adjacent lumber mill caught fire. The fire caused the above ground tanks at the bulk plant to explode. The explosion could be heard and seen from miles away. Petroleum leaked into the soil and groundwater.
The site operated a gasoline service station for several years until the operator passed away. The estate could not sell the property because of the contamination. The roads adjacent to the site (Altamont and Crosby Streets) were scheduled to be widened where curbs, sidewalks and a signal were to be placed by the city. Contamination was found beneath the street, which halted the road development. Law suits were about to be filed when Ezra Terra purchased the site. Ezra Terra cleaned up soil and groundwater at the property and the streets during road development. It was a cooperative effort between the City, County, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the neighborhood.
After the cleanup and road development was complete, the neighborhood experienced an influx of transient squatters. Ezra Terra worked with its neighbors, County Sherriff’s Office, and Klamath County Courts to evict the squatters and clean up the neighborhood. These actions has caused a catalyst effect where area squatters are choosing to go elsewhere making the community a safer place.
http://www.heraldandnews.com/…/article_23d8e27e-c856-584f-b…
