Southampton Town has officially completed the acquisition of a long-abandoned gas station site in Northampton, marking a significant step toward restoring the property and protecting the surrounding environment. Located at 3841 Lake Avenue, just steps from Wildwood Lake, the site will soon be transformed into open, natural space.
The town purchased the roughly one-third-acre parcel for $420,000 and plans to demolish the existing structure along with any remaining elements of the former fueling station. Once cleared, the majority of the land will be returned to a natural, vegetated state, enhancing the area’s appearance and environmental value.
The property sits within the Central Pine Barrens critical protection area and the town’s aquifer protection overlay district, making its restoration especially important. Removing the abandoned structure helps reduce potential environmental risks while preserving land that plays a role in protecting local groundwater and the nearby lake.
As part of the project, the town will also reconfigure a portion of Lake Avenue, shifting it slightly away from the shoreline. This adjustment is intended to minimize roadway runoff into Wildwood Lake and further support long-term water quality improvements.
Funded primarily through the Community Preservation Fund, the completed acquisition and planned restoration reflect the town’s continued commitment to environmental stewardship and open space preservation. The project will ultimately turn an overlooked site into a cleaner, more natural extension of the surrounding landscape.
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