Located in Bedford’s Historic District, the former King Motor Co. building, known as the old Ford garage, sits on the corner of Richard and Pitt streets, along the Lincoln Highway. Courtesy photo

Bedford County leaders are hoping an environmental inspection of an old gas station/garage in the downtown area will remove a major hurdle in finding a buyer or investor interested in repurposing the 1920s structure.

Through the Industrial Sites Reuse Program, the Bedford County Development Association will receive $17,475 toward the estimated $23,300 cost of an assessment of the former King Motor Co. building, known locally as the old Ford garage.

While no environmental problems were found with an initial environmental inspection, Sean Bardell, of Howard Hanna Bardell Realty, said potential buyers and investors have asked for a second, more in-depth assessment.

Located in Bedford’s Historic District, the two-story, 36,000-square-foot stone building is listed for $399,000 and sits on the corner of Richard and Pitt streets, along the Lincoln Highway. It is structurally sound, but the old metal roof will need to be replaced, Bardell said.

The garage’s current owners, Dalesmen Ventures LLC, have already completed asbestos abatement on the building for a planned project that fell through during the pandemic.

According to information from Bardell and Bette Slayton, president and CEO of the Bedford County Development Association, the property housed a number of businesses over the years, starting with the King Motor Co. that sold Ford vehicles and parts. Sometime in the 1980s, it also was home to a dollar-style store and hosted weekend dances for teens, not at the same time. There was also a karate studio in the lower level, Bardell remembers, because he took lessons there as a kid.

Several years ago, when the building was owned by Bob Foor, the big picture windows showcased his collection of antique automobiles.

Dalesmen purchased the property in May 2019, announcing plans to turn the building into a brewery and distillery operation.

Unfortunately, in January 2021, the owners of Dalesmen Distillery & Brewery announced on their website that after many months of planning and design, they revised their plans to refurbish the building at 141 E. Pitt St.

“We have spent countless months and no small amount of money pursuing plans and doing preliminary work to renovate this iconic building,” stated Dalesmen Ventures CEO Nathan Haupt in the post. “We are saddened to say the construction costs have way exceeded our expectations, which has caused us to take a step back to reassess the situation.”

Bardell said local residents were looking forward to the building’s renovations and were disappointed when Dalesmen backed away from the project.

Because of the building’s past as a garage, Bardell said it is important the environmental study be completed and any recommended remediation be undertaken, but he’s not sure what the assessment will turn up, since so many years have passed since the property was a garage.

The station sold gas at one time and vehicle work was completed inside, so there is the potential that water runoff into the drains may have contained gas or oil, he said.

In announcing the funding for the assessment, a news release from the Department of Community and Economic Development stated there are 24 drain outlets in the lower floor of the building. In addition, older maps show an underground storage fuel tank in front of the property with the possibility of additional tanks being located under the sidewalks.

The assessment will include locating the tanks, if they still exist, soil borings, installation of temporary wells, groundwater sampling, installation of two sub-slab vapor points and a final report.

“Environmental assessments are done to ensure there are no harmful chemicals or hazardous materials at a site, and are important for the redevelopment process,” Acting DCED Secretary Neil Weaver said in a statement.

The immediate future of the building depends on the assessment, said Bardell, who, while not able to divulge details, said there is an agreement of sale on the building, contingent on the inspection.

“They plan to renovate” was all he could disclose.

He is hoping that the assessment gets underway within the next 30 days. It is expected to be complete by the beginning of 2023.

Slayton said the ISRP program requires a 25% match and that will be paid by Dalesmen, the property owner.

The environmental study “will allow the Dalesmen, the community and a potential new owner to make informed decisions on future adaptive reuse opportunities for the old Ford garage,” Slayton said.

“We’re very hopeful for this building,” Bardell said. “It’s an anchor building in our downtown.”