12/13/11
2:45 PM
Page 1
December 19, 201 1
www.usedcarnews.com
Dealer’s Would-Be Neighbors Fight Store’s Move By Sheila McGrath
Bob Wilbern always focused his luxury used-car business on Mercedes-Benz vehicles. But when he decided to add BMWs to the mix, he started looking for a bigger location. He searched Springfield, Ill., where he’d done business for 18 years, for nearly a year. Finally, he found the perfect spot – a lot on MacArthur Street, near the city’s downtown area that had been vacant for years. Traffic flow seemed to be ideal, visibility was good and the price was right. The site was priced at about $340,000 for 1.5 acres of land already equipped with concrete and lighting. “It was a really good downtown location,” he said. But opposition from local neighborhood groups and the Springfield city government are forcing him to look elsewhere for a new home for his business. Wilbern started working on automobiles 37 years ago, and is known around
Rush - Dated Material
UCN_01
Springfield as “Dr. Bob,” a specialist who can diagnose and treat any Mercedes-Benz problem. He opened his used-car sales business, Robert’s Automotive, in 1993. His sons, Mike and Brian, later joined him in the business. They moved to their current location at 1900 South Sixth Street in 2003. The traffic flow on the street is still good, Wilbern said, but since his business has grown, the space isn’t big enough. “We usually have 35 to 40 cars on a lot that would hold 30 comfortably,” he said. The land he hopes to acquire is currently zoned for office and retail uses. Wilbern knew he would need a zoning variance to open his business there. But he never expected the backlash against his rezoning request. Neighbors say a used-car lot is incompatible with the neighborhood, and circulated petitions against approving his plan. Opponents also hung leaflets on doors urging residents to call their city council representatives to urge a “no” vote. Their studies say the site would be ideal for a senior living complex, coffee houses or retail shops. But supporters of Wilbern’s plan say the area has long been unable to attract those types of businesses, and that Robert’s Automotive would be a welcome sight on a corridor lined with vacant storefronts. “The strange thing is that if I were a new-car dealership, I could move right onto this land,” he said. “It’s almost
Photo by Kristen Schmid STUCK: Dealer Bob Wilbern stands on the lot his business has outgrown. Wilbern wanted to relocate to a larger facility, but pressure groups have blocked his move.
like a bias against the usedcar lots.” The city’s planning and zoning commission unanimously voted against Wilbern’s plan in September. The matter will come before the City Council for a final vote on Dec. 20, when Wilbern will need 8 votes out of 10 to get the variance passed.
Wilbern said the city staff is working to find a different site for him, but none of the locations they’ve come up with offer the same mix of price and location. “By the time it’s said and done, each would have been $800,000 to $1 million,” he said. “They might have been OK sites, but from the monetary
end, there’s no way I could do it.” He’s now looking at two or three sites in his price range that are outside the city limits, but close enough to feel like they’re still in Springfield, he said. “But none of them are as good as MacArthur would have been, and they’re all more dollars,” he said.
IN THIS ISSUE • Attorney Keith Whann parts ways with the NIADA. – Page 3
• Find out the Movers and Shakers for 2011. – Page 8
• Service makes auto finance payments easier. – Page 6
• Thief keeps hitting the same store, but doesn’t take cars. – Page 10
“I am a better dealer because I do business with Ally.”
Ally, from auto financing to insurance to smart remarketing tools. We’ve got you covered.
David Kelleher, David Dodge Chrysler Jeep Glen Mills, PA See our ad inside for the full story. © 2011 Ally Auto. All rights reserved.
See for yourself how Ally can help you. Give us a call today. 888.505.ALLY (2559) | allydealer.com