Mohegan Lake Dealership Unveils Plans for New Showroom

Mohegan Lake Motors owners have unveiled plans for an additional showroom just down the street from their current location on Route 6, to be opened in 2012. 

Yorktown officials, members of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce, engineers and planners for the project met last week to discuss what is needed to speed up the process, given that all concerns are addressed and applications filled out.  

Joseph Riina, an engineer for SiteDesign Consultants, presented the plan and described what the showroom would look like. The proposed location is what used to be the , which closed its doors in January. 

"We're redeveloping the site," Riina said. "The proposal is to construct a new facility for Volkswagen, 6,500 square feet. It will be a sales operation only, not a repair service. A repair service will be maintained in the existing facility."

There are some constraints because of state wetlands on the property, he said. The presented site plan is a "concept plan," not the actual plan that will be submitted, he said. Once the wetlands are confirmed and planners know their limitations and where they can build, the final site plan will be submitted. That step essentially cuts down the work and can expedite the process, he said.

Parking spaces along the east side will be for new vehicles, either on display or for storage. Customer parking will be on the left side of the building and there will be additional spaces in the back for employees and additional storage, depending on needs.

On the left side of the building there will be a reception area where new customers can ask questions if they are not familiar with the system of having to go to the next building for service repair, Riina said. The interior of the site will be landscaped.

Those involved with the plan describe the look of the building as a "panel system," which won't look too modern, said Michael Rueckert, Network Development manager. 

"This is a brand new design for Volkswagen," said Barry Rost, president of Mohegan Lake Motors. 

Rost has owned the car dealership for the past 25 years and bought the property that housed Bella Vita 11 years years ago with the idea of developing a car dealership there. But, he said, the town imposed a moratorium and he wasn't able to do that. Since the restaurant wasn't "economically sustainable" and eventually closed, he has taken this opportunity to finish what he wanted to do years ago. 

"The dealership is well established," he said of why he thinks the additional location would be successful. "It's a great opportunity."

Rost estimates sales would increase by 15 percent from opening the new facility. It would also create 10 jobs. 

Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Visconti said the reason behind the meeting was to put everyone in the same room to hear about the projects and address concerns from the very beginning. Concerns include storm water management, the wetlands, drainage, landscape and turning into traffic on Route 6.

"The chamber is very interested in the project because we think it could help change the feelings out there and how a project could be expedited," he said. "How we can all work together for the benefit of getting the project done."

He added that a lot of times projects stall because of the applicant. As a result, Visconti said, he is not only asking the town but applicants to help.

"All of us working together," he said. "We have an opportunity to really say, 'Hey, look what happens when we all work together. ...' It's not a bad process after all."

Supervisor Susan Siegel agreed and said the town and applicants should work together. 

"It's the town's responsibility to let the applicant know what they need [for the project] and when," she said.

Rost said his reputation and name stand on the line, and he wants the town to be proud of the project.

"That's what we need in Yorktown," said David Paganelli, business owner, who wants to see empty storefronts filled. "Take vacant buildings and use them to generate revenue."