PARKERSBURG - The city's facade committee got a first look at the proposed new showroom of a downtown car dealership.
Mike Matheny, CEO of Matheny Motors, and John Coffman with Phoenix Associates met with members of the committee Wednesday morning to detail plans for a new showroom.
The showroom will be built along Ann Street, bordering Garfield Avenue.
Article Photos
Photo by Jody Murphy
John Coffman with Phoenix Associates goes over plans for Matheny Motors’ new showroom with the Parkersburg Facade Committee Wednesday. Beside Coffman are committee members Tim Utt, Sean Andrews, Wayne Waldeck, Rod Joachim, Matheny Motors CEO Mike Matheny and city council member John Sandy.
Officials presented the committee a site plan, outlining the one-story, 7,681-square-foot building, consisting of "a lot of glass" aluminum composite panels and split-face concrete. It will house a showroom, sales office and finance department.
The new building will also house a new car delivery area for customers to learn the features of their purchases in a climate-controlled environment. Matheny said the lack of a delivery area can be a problem in the dead of winter or on hot summer days.
"All dealerships are going to a new car delivery area," he said.
Officials have not developed landscaping plans for the area but plan to add greenspace.
Committee member Wayne Waldeck would like to see lots of greenspace. He said a new building could be "harsh" without landscaping.
"City ordinance requires 5 percent. A little more would be great. It really enhances structures," he said.
Committee member Rod Joachim was pleased with Matheny's plans.
"It's a nice asset to you and our area," he said.
The committee also discussed the lack of paving of a parking lot at the Sly Fox on Market Street. According to officials, in May, the committee gave the Sly Fox approval of plans after owners said they planned to pave the parking lot.
Councilman John Sandy, who serves on the committee, read from the minutes.
"It says their plan to start the paving project was within two to three weeks," Sandy said. "This is dated May 7."
The committee voiced frustration over the fact the paving had not been done at the Sly Fox - or at the Valley Beauty School - and there was nothing that could be done.
"It's frustrating we lack teeth," Joachim said. "I don't mind helping the city, but it needs to help itself."
Joachim said it also frustrates other property owners to learn others are skirting requirements when they have done things by the letter of code. Joachim, Code Enforcement Director Gary Moss, Planning Director Rickie Yeager and committee chairman Sean Andrews engaged in a spirited discussion about possibilities. No consensus was reached.
Sandy inquired about seizing lots - particularly the beauty school parking lot - by eminent domain. He said the school had closed abruptly and things were in the process of being defaulted.
Joachim was steadfastly against the idea.
"It is a freaking parking lot," he exclaimed. "To take a piece of property over default of a family in a fight, it is wrong."
The committee adjourned without taking action.
