Tesla Dealership Construction Stalled In Warminster

WARMINSTER, PA —The brakes have been out on the construction of the new Tesla dealership and service center —the first in Bucks County —at 700 York Road.

Township officials said at Thursday night's Warminster Supervisors meeting that the project has been halted due to some issues during demolition.

While Township Engineer Craig Kennard said the project was quiet on his end, Township Manager Tom Scott provided a different update.

Construction on the old Pathmark property near Street Road started early last month after Tesla representatives closed on the property.

Scott said that the applicant was issued a demolition permit by the township, "but did some things that weren't in compliance with our ordinance."

Scott said that the township has spoken to the applicant "on several occasions."

He said that some of the issues involved dust plumes and working on Sundays.

"They don't have the approval to do anything else," Scott said at the meeting.

Township Supervisors Chairman Kenneth Hayes said when he reviewed the site that there wasn't any fencing or rope surrounding the construction zone. Hayes said he had also heard there had been a gas main break on the property.

Scott said that Tesla has to await water and sewer permits from the Warminster Municipal Authority before the project can proceed.

No timetable was mentioned for when the work would take place once again.

The Tesla dealership and repair garage service center could add 30-40 local jobs.

The Tesla dealership would be the first in Bucks County. Tesla has dealerships in King of Prussia, Devon, and Lawrence, N.J.

The project's cost is estimated between $6-8 million.

The 56,000-square-foot building sits on 9 acres across the street from Archbishop Wood High School and near Street Road. It had been considered by Lidl for another grocery store.

Tesla, the car company led by CEO Elon Musk, models itself on clean energy and designs and manufactures electric vehicles, battery energy storage from home to grid-scale, solar panels, and solar roof tiles.

Drake Motors Partners representatives said that Tesla wants the project completed and the dealership opened by year's end.