Daily commuters humming and hawing at the mass demolition on the corner of Douglas and Finlayson streets need wonder no longer.
The longtime former site of Cornell Chev Olds, more recently operated as a GM dealership by Dave Wheaton, is being leveled to make way for another auto dealership.
The Toyota-Lexus franchise that fronts onto Finlayson Street plans to move its operations across the street to the expansive property, which stretches from Douglas Street to Burnside Avenue along Finlayson.
“We don’t have a firm date (for opening), we’re just in the demolition phase right now,” said Bill Harbottle, president of Jim Pattison Auto Group.
All existing buildings on the property will be demolished to make way for separate Toyota and Lexus dealerships, totaling approximately 62,000 square feet, he said. The Pattison Group plans to sell its existing property.
The former GM property, which once housed new and used vehicle sales lots, a repair shop, parts store and body shop, was purchased last January. Construction plans have not yet been finalized, Harbottle said.
B.C. Assessment Authority records for 2012 show the value of the lot was assessed at approximately $14.2 million.
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