Crews have begun the first phase of building a pair of car dealerships just south of Nanaimo North Town Centre. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

construction underway

New car dealership construction starts on rezoned land

Jun 7, 2022 | 3:31 PM

NANAIMO — Excavators broke ground off the north end of Long Lake to make way for a new car dealership on land once envisioned for residential development.

Crews recently began site preparation for the first of two car dealerships planned for vacant land on Wills Rd. near the Island Hwy. and Rutherford Rd.

A building permit valued at more than $6.3 million was awarded last month for phase one of a project by GAIN Group to build a Subaru sales and service building, used vehicle showroom and a two storey parkade.

It’s part of a larger project approved by Nanaimo City Council approved earlier this year to also include a luxury car dealership.

A building permit is still required for an intended Porsche dealership and the pre-owned showroom to be built.

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GAIN Group was not in a position to comment on when it anticipated construction would be completed.

A new Subaru car dealership is under construction on Wills Rd. The property had been home to a garden nursery for more than 40 years. (City of Nanaimo)

Granting a development permit during a 7-2 vote in February followed a prolonged debate leading to a pair of votes in 2019 before and after a public hearing of 5-4 to narrowly advance the project.

Council’s wishes went against the recommendation of City staff, who were opposed to re-zoning to allow for car dealerships on the 2.1 acre site.

City staff contended the property was best suited for medium-to-high density housing and that dealerships were best suited on existing sites.

Several hundred multi-family residential units have been approved or are under construction in the immediate area.

A consultant argued the site was not a good fit for housing and that car dealerships would help maximize its value as an economic driver.

Seventy jobs were previously identified to be created by the two dealerships to be located on 2.1 acres.

The property just south of Long Lake Plaza was a long-time garden nursery from 1975 until it closed early in 2017.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes