"Iron Triangle" Dealerships Plan Expansions, Renovations

Construction is coming to the "Iron Triangle"—an area along Hwy. 110 in northwest Inver Grove Heights that is known for its preponderance of car dealerships.

Two dealerships in the area—Mauer Chevrolet and Luther Nissan Kia—are gearing up for significant expansion and renovation projects, and expect to break ground later this year.

Luther Nissan Kia, located on 50th Street, plans to build a 43,000-square-foot parking lot to display vehicles, add 12 car service bays  and hire as many as 10-12 new full- and part-time employees as part of the expansion, according to information provided to the city's Planning Commission. The dealership is also adding a 20,000-square-foot building addition to its property.

"This whole dealership is going to completely revamp, in every way, from tiles to bathrooms to waiting area to service," said Luther Nissan Kia General Manager Brad Knutson.

Earlier this month, the Inver Grove Heights City Council approved a conditional use permit for the project. Over the last 10 years, the business has seen steady growth in the number of customers it sees, Knutson said, which fueled the need for more space at its current facility.

Mauer Chevrolet, located further west on Hwy. 110, submitted its own ambitious renovation plans to the Inver Grove Heights Planning Commission last week. The dealership, which moved into its current location last February, is planning a top-to-bottom refit of its 42-year-old building, General Manager John Vecere said.

The dealership that occupied the building before Mauer Chevrolet moved in operated a wholesale parts department and body shop, Vecere said. Those portions of the facility will likely be downsized or repurposed, Vecere said. At the same time, the dealership plans to expand its showroom, customer lounge, employee offices, customer service and parts departments.The business will also be constructing a dedicated quick lube oil change department.

The renovations will actually reduce the size of the 70,000-square-foot facility by roughly 12,000 square feet, Vecere said.

"Back in the day, I’m sure it was a very modern building, but 42 years later, there’s a lot of inefficiency in it," Vecere said. The business has added 37 new employees in the last year, Vecere said, but the number employed by the dealership will not change as a result of the construction. The business has yet to receive a conditional use permit for the project from the council.

Vecere attributes the health of the dealership to a rebounding auto industry, not to mention the business's ideal location.

“This whole Iron Triangle is really a dynamite location; it’s a great area and it somewhat seems to be coming back to life,” Vecere said.

The two expansion projects are a positive statement for the city as a whole, Inver Grove Heights Community Development Director Tom Link said, and will benefit the community in several ways.

“They bring added tax base, they bring additional employment, they bring additional goods and services to the community," Link said.

A third dealership, Inver Grove Hyundai, recently moved into a new location along South Robert Street, Link added. The Hyundai dealership management wasn't immediately available for comment.

The dealerships in the Iron Triangle also help bolster the commercial draw of Inver Grove Heights, Link said.

“Years ago, they put Inver Grove Heights on the map, because they would advertise and continue to advertise throughout the region,” Link said. “They bring people from other parts of the metro area into Inver Grove Heights”