MINI says it's still planning to open dealership in Scio Township despite delays
Officials from the auto brand MINI insist that the brand plans to open a new dealership in Scio Township by the end of the year even though construction hasn't started yet.
The dealership, which is planned for the site of the former Jim Bradley Pontiac dealership just west of Ann Arbor at 3500 Jackson Road, initially wanted to open in February. That goal was pushed back to Sept. 1.
Construction work has not started at the site of the planned MINI dealership, but officials said the location should be open this year.
Clark said that since site plans have already been approved and demolition permits were filed in May, construction can begin as soon as the dealership wants to proceed.
Several local residents have noticed that "coming soon" signs at the site were removed sometime recently.
Yvonne Malmgren, publicist for MINI USA, said the dealership is still aiming to open this year.
“It is my understanding things have been going back and forth about the extent of the renovations and that may be why construction has been delayed,” Malmgren said. “Even though plans have been delayed a little bit, we’re still looking forward to that store opening this year.”
Mack Johnson, who bought the Jim Bradley dealership in July 2010, could not be reached for comment regarding the status of the MINI dealership. Last fall he announced plans to demolish the former Bradley dealership building and open a MINI franchise.
He moved the Bradley dealership’s remaining GM brands, Buick and GMC, to his building at 500 Auto Mall Dr., where he’d operated a Saturn dealership until GM discontinued that brand during the auto crisis. That building now houses the renamed Mack Buick-GMC franchise.
Site plans filed with Scio Township call for demolition of the former Jim Bradley dealership building on Jackson Road, located at the front of the 7-acre lot.
A separate building at the rear will remain, preserving three service bays totaling 5,390 square feet. The building is still being used as the Mack dealership body shop.
The new building, designed by architect Scott Bowers of Bowers + Rein of Ann Arbor, will be 12,802 square feet, according to the plans. The new dealership will have 63 parking spaces for customers and staff and 168 for storage and display, according to the plans.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
rf9
Mon, Sep 19, 2011 : 5:36 p.m.
wh didnt they leave the buick gmc dealer at the old bradley bldg and put the mini dealer at the old saturn dealer ?
rf9
Mon, Sep 19, 2011 : 5:39 p.m.
mini forcing a dealer to build a new facility in this economy with a dirth of bldgs that can be re done isnt exactly the smartest thing to do imo
Mike D.
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 1:20 p.m.
There is only one Mini dealer in Southeast Michigan, and it is well over an hour away in the eastern hinterlands of Detroit sprawl. Considering the number of Minis in Ann Arbor alone and the fact that they break weekly (at least mine did), this place should clean up.
Fat Bill
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 9:35 p.m.
Too bad MINI forces dealers to build new showrooms. If Mr. Johnson built a new buick/GMC dealership on the old Bradley site, the old Saturn dealership would be an ideal size for MINI or any other single-brand dealership.
SalineFan
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:04 a.m.
I too have a MINI. I have been waiting for this MINI to open for months! I can't wait. We are looking to buy the MINI Countryman. I agree @SalineGuy it would be great to have service right here.
SalineGuy
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 11:35 p.m.
We have a MINI and the nearest dealer is an hour away in Shelby Township. It's a looong drive for service. I see a lot of MINI's in Ann Arbor and think a local dealer is viable. In addition to Ann Arbor, it could easily draw customers from eastern Wayne County, Livinginston County and the Toledo area.
SalineGuy
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 11:37 p.m.
Ooops, I meant western Wayne county.
Elaine F. Owsley
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 3 p.m.
I always thought the Jim Bradley dealership building, which still stands, was the best looking of the three on that corner and the several across the street to the west. It still is.
Sparty
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
You have got to be kidding -- Jim Bradley is a decrepit, decaying blight in an otherwise nice area The paved areas are broken up, filled with weeds, signs are broken, the business looks and is abandoned and is filled with garbage. The sooner it's demolished and rebuilt, the better the area will be. In terms of best looking auto facilities, the chevrolet dealership (name escapes me) is by far the best looking in the area.
Bob Martel
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 2:45 p.m.
I'm sure snoopdog has it right. The economics of a Mini dealer in a small market such as Ann Arbor have to be giving bankers pause, especially these days.
snoopdog
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 11:54 a.m.
Mini does not sell enough cars to support a stand alone store in Ann Arbor. Their revenue on servicing cars would also be low because there aren't many of them out there. The banks are probably not satisfied with the owners business plan. Good Day