Plans to build new Santa Maria Auto Center moving forward

Just months after the much-anticipated Enos Ranch development opened it doors, another high-profile construction project next door is now drawing closer to beginning.

With the hope of opening in less than two years, wheels are in motion for the long-planned “Santa Maria Auto Center” to finally come to life.

“It’s been a good 10 years that we’ve all been working on it, but it’s worth it and it’s going to be a great asset for the community and we need the opportunity to expand,” said project partner Pat Cusack.

Cusack, along partners Mike McNulty and Mike Bouquet, have put in quite an effort to create the new auto mall.

When built, the 26-acre center will occupy land just off Highway 101, between Battles Rd and the Enos Ranch development to the south.

“It takes a little longer than the retail, but were excited at the end of the day it’s going to look nice and be there for another 50 years and be the nicest automotive mall from Salinas to Thousand Oaks,” Cusack said.

The new auto center will include Honda of Santa Maria, Toyota of Santa Maria, Home Motors Chevrolet/Cadillac and two other dealerships still to be announced.

“Right now, we’re talking to three, possibly four other ones that are interested in relocating,” said Cusack. “We’re excited about not just being able to reposition the ones that have grown out of their spaces, but bring in new selections to Santa Maria.”

The project has already been approved by city leaders. Now, it must gain design approval.

Later this week, project developers will meet with the Santa Maria Planning Commission in a study session.

“Getting all the submittals of elevations of where the buildings will be, what they’re going to look like, what the landscape will look like and we’re looking for their guidance and their approval,” said Cusack.

No decisions will be made at the afternoon meeting. Approvals for design will come at a later date in the near future.

Once developers receive the final green light from the City, they can proceed with construction.

When the new auto center is complete, it should give the City a financial boost.

“We want it to be a regional pull,” Cusack said. “We want people from both counties to come to this area and really take advantage of the great shopping experience that Santa Maria has, particularly with the new retail, easy access, great visibility, so we’re hoping to pull it all together and sell a lot of cars and generate sales tax for the city.”

For the dealerships that are relocating, the new site will provide them each with a significantly larger location, giving them increased space, bigger buildings and allow them to display more cars to be on the lot.

In addition, the new dealerships should also create more jobs. The center will also include a car wash.

Home Motors general manager Tim Richie said he expects to hire at least 20 new employees once the new facility is built.

Cusack said he hopes to have all the approvals in place so a groundbreaking could happen as soon as the fall.

He added construction should last about 16 months.