Demolition work started on Monday on the second service station as part of a project to rehabilitate the sites for commercial use.

In July the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation purchased two closed stations — Jim’s on Marion Pike in Coal Grove and the Rich station at the corner of Third and Lorain streets.

Last week PetroEnvironmental of Cincinnati razed the Coal Grove station and tested the ground for contamination. All such soil was piled up on site.

“That is being removed (Wednesday) and should be finished by (today),” Jeremy Clay, director of The Point industrial park, said. “We should be finished with Coal Grove by noon.”

On Monday crews did initial work on razing the Third Street site. The gas tanks, however, can’t be pulled until the bureau of underground storage tank regulations can be on site. The earliest those inspectors can be in Ironton is Wednesday.

“They have to witness us destroying the tanks,” Clay said. “Once we remove the tanks, we will test the earth. A week from next Friday we should be done.”

Both sites were owned by Stephanie Jo Barnett; the LEDC paid $75,000 for the Coal Grove station that was appraised at $135,980 and $50,000 for the Ironton station appraised at $51,440.

When both locations are razed and free of contaminants, LEDC will start marketing the sites.

“We will try to get a sign on the Coal Grove site that it is available for sale,” Clay said. “It is a continual process of turning dilapidated properties into something usable.”