Q&A: What’s going on with that vacant gas station on Auburn Blvd?

By Thomas J. Sullivan–
Despite plans to re-brand and re-open in mid-February, the gas station at the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Cook Avenue still remains vacant as of the first week in April.

So what’s happening at the site?

Owner Mike Marcos told The Sentinel in an update last week that his plans to convert the former ARCO gasoline station at 7500 Auburn Blvd. into a Union 76 station is on hold for the moment as he waits for a construction date from the Union 76 corporate office.

“We will be opening, but we’re waiting for Union 76 to notify us when their contractors can begin their work,” Marcos said.

Work to convert the exterior of the former ARCO gasoline station was originally slated to be completed in mid-February. Marcos said remodeling of the existing convenience store at the location has been completed.

Marcos, who owns four gas stations, previously told The Sentinel that he expects to pump “between 80 and 100,000 gallons” per month at the location. Three of his stations are located in the greater Sacramento area, but this will be his first station in Citrus Heights.

The station was built in 1959 and features 12 fuel dispensers. Exterior site improvements will also include the installation of a new closed-circuit surveillance security system.

An ABC liquor license was submitted to the city in January to allow the sale of beer and wine at the convenience store on the premises. The license should be effective by the time the rebranded Union 76 station opens, Marcos said.

The prior ARCO gas station that operated at the location abruptly closed several years ago for unknown reasons.