LACKAWANNA, N.Y. -- A boarded-up former Sunoco station on Ridge Road in Lackawanna, across the street from an operating Sunoco location, is an example of what Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calls a "zombie" gas station.

Schumer says these problem properties, along busy roadways, are eyesores across the area for neighbors and businesses, and he called on the property owners to redevelop the land or sell it to someone who will.

A similar campaign in 2013 pushing Sunoco to sell a property in Syracuse was successful, according to Schumer, who says there is federal funding available to help with the cost of removing the underground gas tanks.

Schumer said it's not really about money; that the public call-out is needed to jar these owners into doing something.

"This is a question of inertia, laziness and lack of concern as opposed to economics," Schumer said.