Go, man, Go! Russ Brown, a local legend in material removal, runs this four wheel skid-steer loader to remove tons of gravel to remove a fuel tank at the former gas station on Kelly Avenue.
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., Nov. 9, 2026 - Businesses are pushing forward on projects around The Dalles, and two prime examples are the former gas station at 1200 Kelly Avenue and the former WaFd bank at 115 E. 4th Street.
Former City Councilor Russ Brown was hard at last week and was continuing to work at the job on Kelly Avenue as owner Art Mendoza had a double walled fuel tank removed from the property eliminating the chance of any gas leak, and avoiding any costs from possible soil contamination.
While the tank was not that old, it had sat unused for more than a decade and thus, the owner sought to get ahead of any possible problems and had it removed.
Lucas Masengale and Corey Harmon take a break for quick photo at the former WAFD building at 115 E. 4th Street last week. The two had spent several days prepping and painting the building.
Downtown, Harmon Painting was working over the former WaFd bank building providing the site with a fresh look in monochromatic colors. The black beams and white paint are giving the site a new feel. New owner, Hattenhauer Distribution Co., currently has no plans to use the site and the building is available to rent.
