LINCOLN PARK — An out-of-state motor group's bid to construct a $57 million car dealership was delayed by Chicago-style politics last year, but is on track to open in the fall of 2015.
Fox Motor Group, which is based in Grand Rapids, Mich., was put through the political wringer during its pursuit of zoning permits, but finally broke ground on the project in late June.
Construction on the 145,000-square-foot car dealership on the border of Lincoln Park and Bucktown is expected to be complete in October 2015, and the business should be open by late October to early November, according to representatives from Fox Motors.
The motor group originally came to the city with hopes of using Tax Increment Financing dollars to help fund the $57 million project, but agreed to cover the costs.
"A lot of people if you tell them we aren’t going to give you a dime of TIF, they try to send in the big guns or try to work their way around it," said Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd). "These guys were like, 'OK, no problem, we will fund it ourselves.'"
Similarly, Mariano's was denied a request of $10 million in TIF dollars for its Bucktown location, which opened in June.
TIF dollars from the area, instead, are funding infrastructure improvements to the intersection of Damen, Elston and Fullerton.
"To me, that was the best way to use it," Waguespack said.
Fox Ford Lincoln of Chicago will house more than 165 vehicles and 50 mechanic lifts at its location along the North Branch of the Chicago River.
Fox is building the LEED-certified facility at 2501 N. Elston Ave., which will include a green roof and outdoor river walk.
Eventually the business will employ 135 individuals, according to the company.
Monica Sekulich, senior vice president of Fox Ford, said the company didn't know what to expect when entering the Chicago market, but was relieved to finally get construction started on the site.
The project was held up by City Hall politics last year and at one point the motor group considered pulling its plans for the $57 million project, according to a Crain's report.
The project had been held up by Ald. Danny Solis (25th), who was concerned over a lack of Latino Ford franchise owners.
Solis eventually voted in favor of rezoning the land to make way for the dealership in August.
The dealership had attempted to get the land rezoned in early 2013.
"We did warn them that in some of these meetings we could get held up," Waguespack said. "I wasn't quite expecting it."
The alderman credited the business for being patient throughout the process.
"We didn't really know what to expect, but we worked with great people from the alderman, the folks in his office, city planning and zoning, everyone," Sekulich said. "It's just a process. Obviously it's a huge city and a lot of considerations have to be weighed with a project of this size."
Fox Motors operates a temporary dealership at 2401 S. Michigan Ave., but that facility will close when the new dealership is complete on Elston.
"At the end of the day everything worked out fine and everyone has been incredibly supportive," Sekulich said.
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