While I am a strong advocate for preserving historic buildings, this one is beyond repair and needs to come down. The property should be sold to someone who intends to build another structure. It, along with any other vacant property on Main Street or South Street, definitely should NEVER become a parking lot. I've lived here all my life (56 years) and I've never seen the existing municipal lots completely full, especially the West End Bassett Lane lot. If there was a real need for more parking on the West End, it might as well be on the site of that ugly, poor attempt at a garden where the former Gulf station was.

Although the building is old it seems devoid of any real historical style worthy of preservation. Whatever is built I vote for at least 1 more floor added, either apartment space or retail, I say it would improve the density of that area of main st. I agree with the comment above, the garden at the former Gulf Station is a disaster, I work in the area and the garden has become a great place for homeless people to get high or drunk, I see them ALL day going back in there. All part of Barnstable's Land use strategy to "reclaim or undevelop existing properties for traffic mitigation, resource protection or property remediation." Another great example is the former Chili's restaurant... it's a disaster a big fenced in area where they let the grass get about 3 feet tall before they cut it. Great use of resources. Hopefully someone scoops this property up before they do!