New Genesis Auto Dealership Coming to Golden Valley
A Genesis automobile dealership is coming to Golden Valley.
The Golden Valley City Council this week approved a development agreement with Luther Auto Group to build the dealership. It will be located south of Interstate 394 and west of General Mills Boulevard.
“I’m very supportive, I think it’s a good plan, I think it brings jobs to the city which is always important,” said Golden Valley City Council Member Denise La Mere-Anderson. “I’m really excited to see this installed in the community.”
When constructed, the dealership will be the sole Twin Cities-based Genesis dealer.
Hyundai owns the Genesis brand. Their vehicles are situated similarly in the market to high-end offerings from Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Genesis currently sells vehicles at a shared dealership in Bloomington. That site will be closed when the standalone Golden Valley location opens.
The dealership will be constructed in between the existing Jaguar-Land Rover and Toyota dealerships located in the most southwest quadrant of Golden Valley.
City council support for auto dealership
The council was unanimous in its support for the proposal.
“The Genisis brand is also a very new brand and has the potential to grow like many of these dealerships over time,” said Steve Sabraski, engineer with Landform Professional Services, a consulting firm representing Luther Auto Group.
The new business will house approximately 20 new jobs.
The Golden Valley Planning Commission previously voted 3-2 in favor of the proposal.
Included in the project is a five-story parking ramp near the existing Toyota dealership. Luther Auto expects to store new customer vehicles in the ramp.
The planning commission was concerned about the aesthetics of the parking ramp, as well as the preservation of existing trees in the area.
The Genesis dealership will measure 22,500 square feet and 25 feet in height. It will be smaller than the 46,162 square foot Jaguar-Land Rover dealership and the 56,925 square foot Toyota dealership.
The dealership will be called Genesis of Minneapolis rather than Genesis of Golden Valley. Golden Valley Mayor Shep Harris questioned the reasoning behind the decision.
According to a representative from Luther Auto Group, dealerships usually select a name from the largest nearby market or city rather than their actual location.
Golden Valley Council Member Maurice Harris said he was “fully supportive” of the proposal.
Rendering of proposed parking structure/view from General Mills Boulevard
