City officials say closed Exxon Tiger Marts in Yakima continue to be blight on the community but after more than 10 years the city may be close to a compromise.

City manager Tony O’Rourke says the city is working with the Department of Ecology and the landowner to possibly purchase the properties.

For years the city has been trying to work with the out of town property owner trying to get him to help clean up the properties and pay for the removal of large underground fuel tanks but little progress has been made.

O’Rourke says it's time the city takes action to clean up the underground storage tanks and make the properties available for commercial development.

Five Tiger Marts continue to be attractions for graffiti artists and homes to large weeds after being closed 10 years ago.

O'Rourke says the city is working closely with the Ecology Department which is willing to pay for cleanup if the city acquires the properties.

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