The Community Redevelopment Agency is still considering an 11-acre project around the former Foulger Ford property, now owned by car dealer Paul Rusnak.
Rusnak Mercedes-Benz has moved from Pasadena to the old Foulger Ford property at 55 W. Huntington Drive in Arcadia. A photo shows city officials and top business people at the ribbon cutting on the site.
Rusnak, a luxury car dealership in Pasadena is moving one of its franchises to Arcadia. The operation will sell new and pre-owned Mercedes-Benz models at 55 W. Huntington Dr.
Rusnak Arcadia sells premium pre-owned automobiles and had its grand opening last month (but opened mid-August) at the former site of Foulger Ford (which closed in 1992) at 55 W. Huntington Drive. With some history of other automobile dealerships in Arcadia, including Bates Chevrolet, Lindy Chevrolet, and a Datsun dealership owned by Bruce and Bob Low.
The Arcadia City Council approved the design for a proposed addition to the new car showroom at Rusnak Mercedes-Benz. The dealer wants to build a two-story, 2644 square feet addition to the southeast corner of the showroom. The City council approved additions to other businesses as well.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency adopted a resolution approving the land acquisition and development agreement to help Paul Rusnak buy five sites for his Mercedes Benz dealership expansion. The Arcadia Elks Lodge doesn't want to move.
The City of Pasadena may seek lost sales tax revenue from Rusnak Mercedes-Benz, a business that relocated from Pasadena to Arcadia four years ago. Pasadena officials think Arcadia may have used the promise of an expansion loan as an enticement when Rusnak first considered leaving Pasadena. Arcadia officials deny it.
Rusnak Motors gets a 6-month extension to its exception from ARA 172, a resolution that prohibits car sales unless new cars are also sold. The Council also acted to amend the central business district ordinance to allow service stations with a conditional use permit.
The City Council will vote on approval of a property acquisition plan with Rusnak Arcadia tonight. The opposition, comprised of seven former mayors, don't want Redevelopment Agency money to help a private business buy five nearby properties.
The city has taken its first step toward condemning part of a desirable downtown block to make way for the expansion of the Rusnak Mercedes Benz. The City Council voted unanimously to move forward with eminent domain proceedings against Arcadia Self Storage, a four-story building on Huntington Drive just west of Santa Anita Avenue. This building is one of five under threat of condemnation.
The expansion of Rusnak Mercedes-Benz, Arcadia's largest sales tax generator, still faces hurdles. The Church of Arcadia has agreed to move from 21 Morlan Place, but it has encountered delays with the county's plan checks. The City of Arcadia still needs to acquire Rod's Grill at 41 W. Huntington Drive, but proprietor Manny Romero has not accepted any of the city's numerous offers. Tom Valasek, director of marketing at Rusnak Auto Group says the dealership will have to move if the city cannot deliver the land for the expansion plan.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency is apparently making some progress in a project to improve the area around the Rusnak Mercedes-Benz dealership. The project, known as the Morlan Place Center, has been the topic of closed-door discussions with property owners around the Huntington Drive site. The city has extended offers to at least two property owners to move to 620 E. Live Oak, so that Morlan Place Center can be developed.
City planners will try to preserve Rosemarie Drive in Arcadia, as they work with a developer and neighbors on the possibility of a split lot for Joseph Winn's property at 460 W. Walnut. Currently the street has a cul-de-sac to the west and dead ends to the east.
Kam Sang Company of Arcadia is the development firm in charge of the Atlantic Times Square project in Monterey Park. Alhambra neighbors are concerned about traffic.
City officials resume talks with Rusnak Mercedes-Benz about its expansion now that Measure B has passed. The Church in Arcadia will move to Live Oak Street.