Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Turning Gas Pumps and Asphalt Into Soil and Shade Trees

Anyone who takes an abandoned gas station and converts it into a neighborhood business is a hero in our book.

false

Drake Patten in Providence, Rhode Island, recently converted a gas station into a farm supply store called Cluck!, and believe it or not, she had to fight a legal battle with neighbors to make it possible.

But Patten didn't stop there. Now she's removing a large portion of the Cluck! parking lot. James Kennedy at Transport Providence helps put this depaving into a larger context:

Twelve percent of Rhode Island, the country's second-densest state after New Jersey, is covered by impervious surfaces such as parking lots, roads, roofs and concrete. Much of the pollution in Narragansett Bay washes in from paved-over surfaces. The problem has reached comic proportions. A study published earlier this year noted that Rhode Island’s top location for Craigslist “missed connections” was parking lots, putting it at odds with neighboring Massachusetts, where a plurality of missed connections happen on the MBTA.

Although the city’s zoning ordinances require Cluck! to have three off-street parking spots, the new business will not provide any more than required by law. It will instead use the remaining space that was once paved for stormwater mitigation by planting several tupelo and shade trees.

Cluck! owner, Drake Patten, who holds a master’s degree in archeology, said the process of removing the asphalt reminded her of digs she had been on.

Elsewhere on the Network today: The Green Lane Project says Atlanta's new protected bike lane might be the best urban bikeway in the South. Bike Walk Lee shares an Orlando Sentinel editorial imploring the city to take action to reduce its pedestrian fatality rate. And This Big City offers three strategies to bring abandoned gas stations back into productive use.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Death of a Legend: Donald Shoup, Parking Reformer

The OG of understanding how "free parking" isn't free has died.

February 8, 2025

Report: Efforts to Speed Up Bus Speeds Have Stalled … Like Bus Speeds

City buses move slower than ever after Mayor Adams reneged on his commitment to build more bus lanes, according to a new analysis.

February 7, 2025

Paradigm Shift: MTA Boss Says State Should Pony Up More For Capital Plans

"Every time the MTA capital program comes up, we treat it like, 'Oh my god, they need a bailout,'" the MTA CEO said, pointing out the absurdity.

February 7, 2025

Who is Trump’s FTA Pick Marc Molinaro — And Will He Kill Congestion Pricing?

If confirmed, Trump FTA pick Marc Molinaro can do a lot to gum up funding for mass transit across the country. Here's a look at his record.

February 7, 2025
See all posts