Golden Valley Receives Plans for New Genesis Auto Dealership
The Golden Valley Planning Commission reviewed plans Monday for a new Genesis automobile dealership. The proposal by Luther Automotive Group would build the new dealership on a site where the company also has Toyota and Jaguar-Land Rover dealerships.
The site is located south Interstate 394 and west of General Mills Boulevard in the southwest corner of the city.
Genesis is the luxury vehicle division of Hyundai, going up against brands like Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The Golden Valley dealership would be the only Twin Cities home for the brand, which plans to move from a shared location in Bloomington.
“This is a pretty substantial project for Luther and will be, I think, a great addition to the city of Golden Valley,” said Steven Sabraski, engineer with Landform Professional Services, representing the Luther group at Monday’s Golden Valley Planning Commission meeting.
“This is not just an expansion of business. This is actually a brand new business that’s coming to Golden Valley,” he said.
The new business would bring 25 to 30 jobs to Golden Valley, Sabraski said.
The Genesis building would be 22,500 square feet and 25 feet in height built between the two existing dealerships. That size is smaller than the neighboring ones. The Luther Toyota dealership to the east is 34 feet in height and nearly 57,000 square feet, while Jaguar-Land Rover to the west has roughly 46,000 square feet and is 30 feet in height.
Rendering of Genesis Dealership/view from Wayzata Boulevard
Parking Ramp Also Proposed
The project includes a proposed 5-story parking ramp on the northeast corner of the site. Sabraski said the parking ramp, which would be built on existing surface parking lot space, would primarily serve the Toyota dealership.
The parking ramp did draw some concerns from Golden Valley Planning Commission members for aesthetic reasons.
“How this space looks is still kind of a way you come see our city for the first time,” said Sophia Ginis, planning commission member. “I think the treatment of this space is important.”
Sabraski stated the significant need for the ramp as inventory levels ramp back up and dealerships move past the pandemic. He also noted there will be a loss of parking without the ramp due to the new dealership proposed.
“Now is the time to take care of what will be a problem in the future,” said Sabraski.
After considerable discussion, the Golden Valley Planning Commission did recommend approval of the entire project through a planned unit development amendment. The vote was 3-2. The amendment included a condition of requiring Luther to have a tree preservation plan.
The project is contingent on approval from the Golden Valley City Council, which expected to review the plans at its April 18 meeting.
Rendering of proposed parking structure/view from General Mills Boulevard
Also See: Tesla Dealership Coming to Golden Valley
