Ventura Auto Center

The Ventura City Council has approved a heavily debated proposal by car dealers to install an 8- by 17-foot electronic message board in the sign for the Ventura Auto Center off the southbound lanes of the Ventura Freeway. The council voted 4 to 3 Monday to approve the dealers' request to raise the sign's height from 55 feet to 65 feet and install the board after dealers said they would lose business without it.

In Whittier, city officials are clearing the way for office buildings, retail shops and even homes to take root on the land where the vacant car lots stand. Classrooms offering lessons on green technology are being considered as a replacement for the deserted dealerships in Riverside County. And in coastal Ventura, a card club could soon take up residence among the Toyotas, Chevys and Jaguars being sold at the struggling Ventura Auto Center. For decades, cities have set aside vast expanses of land for auto malls and the dealerships have rewarded them with a steady flow of tax dollars, often providing 20% or more of an average town's sales receipts.

In a further boost for the rebounding Ventura Auto Center, Paradise Chevrolet will move to a 6-acre plot south of the Ventura Freeway, a landlord for many of the auto center dealers announced. "The further expansion of the auto center is a direct result of the $2.7 million in road improvements and $18 million in freeway interchange improvements by the city," John Hofer, who owns the bulk of the land the auto center is built upon, told the Ventura City Council on Monday.

In a further boost for the rebounding Ventura Auto Center, Paradise Chevrolet will move to a 6-acre plot south of the Ventura Freeway, a landlord for many of the auto center dealers announced. "The further expansion of the auto center is a direct result of the $2.7 million in road improvements and $18 million in freeway interchange improvements by the city," John Hofer, who owns the bulk of the land the auto center is built upon, told the Ventura City Council on Monday.

Clearing the way for further expansion at the Ventura Auto Center, the City Council has approved a change in zone for a plot of land south of the Ventura Freeway to build a new dealership. The project, planned at the southwest corner of Leland Street and Lake Drive, will consist of a 44,425-square-foot dealership that will provide repair service and auto parts sales, with a pylon sign, and parking and landscaping around the building.

Developers of a sweeping entertainment and retail complex proposed behind the Ventura Auto Center will unveil plans today to host regional auto racing. In an attempt to drum up support for the $100-million complex, organizers have invited several professional drivers and managers, and will display a number of race cars. The 9 a.m. promotional event at the Wedgewood Banquet Center will follow a private breakfast at 7:30 a.m.

In Whittier, city officials are clearing the way for office buildings, retail shops and even homes to take root on the land where the vacant car lots stand. Classrooms offering lessons on green technology are being considered as a replacement for the deserted dealerships in Riverside County. And in coastal Ventura, a card club could soon take up residence among the Toyotas, Chevys and Jaguars being sold at the struggling Ventura Auto Center. For decades, cities have set aside vast expanses of land for auto malls and the dealerships have rewarded them with a steady flow of tax dollars, often providing 20% or more of an average town's sales receipts.

At long last, auto dealers may get some roads to help customers navigate the confusing streets and clogged access roads that weave around the Ventura Auto Center. The City Council is poised to approve plans Monday for improvements and extensions on Olivas Park Drive, Golf Course Road and Perkin Avenue.

A debate over the potential economic impact of a proposed commercial airport at the Point Mugu Navy base has taken a new twist. The proposal's backers insist that it will be a boon to the county, but a consulting firm predicted only lukewarm interest on the part of airlines. The report, delivered to the Southern California Assn. of Governments in September, wasn't disclosed to the public until earlier this month. . . .

The Fillmore City Council has voted to spend up to $23,000 to find out if an auto center should be built west of the city. The Auto Center Group, a Sacramento firm, will conduct the study, which city officials said should be complete by the end of the year. The auto center would replace about 12 acres of citrus orchard near E Street on California 126.

Clearing the way for further expansion at the Ventura Auto Center, the City Council has approved a change in zone for a plot of land south of the Ventura Freeway to build a new dealership. The project, planned at the southwest corner of Leland Street and Lake Drive, will consist of a 44,425-square-foot dealership that will provide repair service and auto parts sales, with a pylon sign, and parking and landscaping around the building.

Despite dashed hopes for a baseball stadium to draw new customers, the Ventura Auto Center has acquired two new dealerships and is running at full capacity for the first time since 1995. Hopes were boosted earlier this year when the city agreed to spend $7 million on two projects aimed at improving access to the center, one of the city's largest sources of sales tax revenue. The center generated $1.3 million in tax revenue last year.

The Ventura City Council on Monday will consider amending an ordinance so that used-car dealerships can operate at the Ventura Auto Center. If approved, the amendment would pave the way for an outlet that would sell retired Budget rental cars. The new dealer hopes to occupy the now-vacant Mercedes dealership on Perkin Avenue. The current ordinance, adopted in 1987, allows only new-car dealerships to conduct business in the area.

At long last, auto dealers may get some roads to help customers navigate the confusing streets and clogged access roads that weave around the Ventura Auto Center. The City Council is poised to approve plans Monday for improvements and extensions on Olivas Park Drive, Golf Course Road and Perkin Avenue.

Hoping to clear the way for desperately needed road improvements near the Ventura Auto Center, the City Council voted Monday night to indefinitely postpone two projects that have stalled major development in the area for years. After a brief discussion, the council followed a staff recommendation and unanimously agreed to shelve--at least for now--a $22-million plan to extend Olivas Drive to Johnson Drive and to build a large levee along the Santa Clara River.

Ed McDonald, owner of McDonald Motor Co., plans to shut his Saab and Mercedes-Benz dealerships at the Ventura Auto Center effective next Sunday. At the same time, McDonald plans to complete the sale of his separate Volkswagen dealership to Barber Ford. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. McDonald, 57, has had his multiple-brand dealership at the auto center for nine years; he had previously operated dealerships in Hollywood, New York City and other parts of the country for nearly 20 years.

Despite dashed hopes for a baseball stadium to draw new customers, the Ventura Auto Center has acquired two new dealerships and is running at full capacity for the first time since 1995. Hopes were boosted earlier this year when the city agreed to spend $7 million on two projects aimed at improving access to the center, one of the city's largest sources of sales tax revenue. The center generated $1.3 million in tax revenue last year.

Developers of a sweeping entertainment and retail complex proposed behind the Ventura Auto Center will unveil plans today to host regional auto racing. In an attempt to drum up support for the $100-million complex, organizers have invited several professional drivers and managers, and will display a number of race cars. The 9 a.m. promotional event at the Wedgewood Banquet Center will follow a private breakfast at 7:30 a.m.

Renewing pressure on Ventura to build a baseball stadium, some Ventura Auto Center dealers say they may move to Oxnard if Ventura does not pay for a minor-league stadium--or other business-friendly amenities--soon. Such threats are potent in Ventura, where sales from the dealerships make up a hefty 9% of the city's annual sales tax revenue. The $15-million stadium is proposed for a vacant field abutting the auto center.