The owners of Awesome Chevrolet Buick, a dealership located off National Avenue in Chehalis, are considering a move across Interstate 5 to a lot next to their larger I-5 Toyota enterprise.
A notice of application has been submitted with the city of Chehalis and the owners met with the city’s Development Review Committee on Wednesday. No additional permits have been filed with the city yet, said Heidi Pehl, dealer principal at I-5 Toyota.
“We’re just exploring the option of relocating, mostly because it’s on the freeway and we own the land,” she said. “We’re just looking to make sure this makes sense.”
According to documents submitted to the city, the applicant is proposing a new brand-compliant dealership and service center to possibly be built on two lots that total 4.76 acres at 2050 NW Louisiana Avenue.
The service-sale center would be about 23,000 square feet and include a 3,000 square-foot detail building, according to city documents.
Both lots are currently serviced by city public utilities, including water and sewer, though new connections and a lot consolidation might be required.
There are no buildings currently on either lot, according to Lewis County parcel information.
Pehl said the relocation consideration has also been influenced by the close proximity to I-5 Toyota, I-5 Cars’ flagship enterprise where most of the administrative work is conducted.
In addition to the two dealerships, parent company I-5 Cars also owns multiple other licensed-manufacturer dealerships, including ones that sell Volkswagen, Chrysler and Ford automobiles, as well as RVs.
At Wednesday’s meeting with the city, Pehl said they included a potential builder in with their discussions and reviewed a potential site plan. They also reviewed what further permitting would be required of the potential project.
Pehl underscored the preliminary nature of the project when speaking with The Chronicle, noting that they very much enjoy their current location at 2580 N. National Avenue.
