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GUNNISON — In 2007, Gunnison was severely impacted by an underground gasoline spill. But Tuesday, at the site of the gas spill, the town was celebrating.
Thanks to donations from the community, Gunnison has erected a clock tower where Top Stop spilled 20,000 gallons of gas, which seeped into the ground and contaminated businesses and homes.
"It's a beautiful piece of artwork here. I've got a son in London, England — I took a picture and he said this is our Big Ben," said resident Melissa Judy.
The site was previously considered an eyesore until the town acquired the lot in a settlement with Top Stop and transformed the site into a point of pride for the town.
"I was born and raised here. My father was born and raised here, and we are so proud of something that will last for hundreds of years," said resident Vicky Larson.
"Family coming through town a few years ago said, ‘This town looks so trashy, and dirty. How you stand to live here?' " said resident Karen Prisbrey. "And I said, ‘Now come and see us,' and they were amazed at all the changes that have taken place on main street."
The clock tower is now in place, but the department of environmental quality continues to monitor the cleanup of the Top Stop spill, taking soil samples on a regular basis.
"The Department of Environmental Quality is keeping an eye on it, and they said it's pretty close to being 100 percent cleaned up," said Gunnison Mayor Lori Nay. "It's such a change from six years ago when we had the gas spill and closed businesses. It really is a tribute to the people in this community how they don't let trouble define them."
Businesses along Main Street have seen a jump in business, and the street and town look much more inviting since the spill.
"Our investment in our downtown has really paid off, and we've really turned a new leaf and we're really excited about our future," Nay said.
