With the property's environmental problem solved, the preservation association can turn its attention to raising the money needed to purchase the land and renovate the unique building.
The building is "crammed full of junk," Milligan said, and members of the preservation association won't know what renovations would entail until they can clean it out and get a good look at its condition.
"The old thing looks solid, but I don't know what we're going to find when we get in there," Milligan said.
The group has approached Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale to see if county government could play a role in the restoration.
"He's very interested and willing to support it in a number of ways." Ragsdale spokesman Dwight Van de Vate said, including financial assistance. However, Van de Vate said, Ragsdale would like the private sector to step up to the plate before offering taxpayers' money.
Milligan said DeRoyal Industries has made a donation, and the group has approached other businesses. Bernard is selling T-shirts at his Ashville Highway barbershop and at the group's Web site, www.powellairplane.org. A fund-raiser will be scheduled late in the spring.
Bernard said a lot of people are rallying to the cause. Monday Real Estate owns the building and has been patient with the group as it tries to arrange financing.
Joe Inman is another preservation association member who has put in a lot of hours on the project, Bernard said.

Partnership Center, and two of his graduate students. Micah Wood and Jennifer Lehto. As a Class project for Ezzell, Wood and Lehto drafted the successful National Register application. Properties on the National Register can be eligible for federal grants to help defray restoration costs.
Knox Heritage is acting as the preservation assocaition's fiscal agent. Kim Trent, executixe director of Knox Heritage, said the Airplane Filling Station is Unique.
"It's a great example of roadside whimsical architecture," Trent said. "It's a local landmark.
Many gas station oweners in the 1920's and the 1930's tried to find ways to attract travelers who were filling America's highways as soon as the roads were built. Most are gone forever. Other examples still standing include an old Shell station shaped, naturally enough, like a sea shell, in Winston-Salem, N.C.
"It's not only architecture, " Trent Said. "It's roadside advertising."
The Nickles Family sold the building in the 1970's. Since then, the funkiest structure in Powell has been a fruit stand, car lot and package store. Among the uses contemplated by the preservation association include office space for a non-profit group or a visitors center.
Whatever the ultimate use, Trent said the restored building would be "a great landmark for the Powell community and something they can be proud of. It people memories worth having." Scott Barker may be reached at 865-342-6309.
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