Citing an issue that “is not in our control,” the developers of a gas-station-themed, 10-unit Petro Motor Quart motel in Galena, Kansas, have abandoned the project.
Aaron Perry, owner of Gearhead Curios in Galena, and fiancée Cassandra Rangel announced the project in early 2025 and broke ground for it about a month later. The site was going to be in the 300 block of South Main Street (aka Route 66).
Then the Facebook account of the Petro project stated on May 5:
“Hello Friends, We are very sad to announce that we are no longer pursuing our dream of Petrol Motor Quart. The issue that has caused this outcome is not in our control. We thank you for all your support and we wish this was not happening.”
A Facebook message to the account asking for elaboration on the program elicited this response from Rangel:
“We don’t want to say much but it’s an issue with the city. We still need to sell the property and maybe after that time we will state the real problem. We had all the finances and contractor lined up to do the work.”
However, Galena Mayor Ashley Groves said in an email she was unaware of any issues the city had with the project:
“I am the mayor and to my knowledge, there are no issues. If something has occurred, that is news to me. I do know our city building inspector had the most recent contact regarding the project, but I was not informed of any issues. So these issues you speak of, whatever they are, are also news to me.
“I was actually super excited about the project and eager to see what it would do for our town! Our City government is pro growth, so I would be surprised at any issues that would hinder such a project that hadn’t been communicated to our council.”
Gary Rose, the city’s building inspector, said Friday that he also was unaware of any city issues that might have affected the project.
Rose said he tried to help the Petro Motor Quart principals, but they never submitted their plans to the city.
Each motor court unit had one of these themes:
- Union 76
- Esso
- Chevron
- Whiting Brothers
- Polly Gas
- Phillips 66
- White Eagle
- DX
- Clark
- Deep Rock
- Perry Motor Co. and Perry Auto (one for storage and laundry; the other for classic cars and memorabilia)
(Artist’s rendering of the once-planned Petro Motor Quart in Galena, Kansas)
Skelly Oil would be an excellent theme too.