Conoco’s third generation owner Kyle Gibson said the bigger underground storage tanks are one of many upgrades at the gas station and convenience store founded nearly a hundred years ago by his grandfather Art Gibson. Kyle took over the business from his father Kent Gibson, with the two working on ways to celebrate 100 years of service in 2024.
The storage tank upgrade was spurred on by state regulations for corrosion resistant materials, required to be completed by 2028. A new 12,000-gallon tank for regular fuel and a split 8,000-gallon tank for road diesel and 93 Octane were installed this week, along with 3,800-pound concrete anchors. The tanks are steel double wall tanks with a fiberglass coating, and all the piping is double walled. The same gas pumps will be reinstalled once the concrete pad is complete.
The store, laundromat, and video gaming parlor are still open during renovations, with the main and side entrances available for customers. The lack of gasoline in town is a temporary inconvenience that will soon pay off, though it’s been a huge undertaking for the business, both in funding it and being open while heavy machinery is right outside the door.
Employee Charles Powell has been watching the tank replacement process since contractors started work on Oct. 22. He said an interstate traveler driving on empty lucked out when a Lyndon resident supplied her gas tank with just enough fuel to get to the next station.
Other projects in the works at Lyndon Conoco are putting a canopy over the diesel bay, offering diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), and hopefully acquiring a permit for 24-hour self-service, which is a goal of Gibson’s. The Conoco brand name will remain the same, as will the company’s supplying of fuel to the Conoco stations in Prophetstown and Morrison.
Contractors are Stichter Construction Co. Inc. of Erie, Dietz Concrete Inc. of Prophetstown, and Central Petroleum Equipment Company (CPEC) of Blue Grass, IA. Gibson said the project timeline was estimated at 4 weeks, leaving 2 ½ weeks left. He hopes to have the gas pumps up and running before Thanksgiving.
Photos of the fuel tank installation at Gibson’s Conoco, 540 W. Commercial St. in Lyndon on Nov. 1.
