Construction on the Santa Barbara Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat dealership is almost crossing the finish line.
It’s only been two years.
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed down construction, the dealership’s general manager, Kaz Ayria, told Noozhawk. Construction crews are currently building and putting the finishing touches on the front arch.
Ayria said he expects the building to be completed by mid-May. The new building at 300 Hitchcock Way is a 36,752-square-foot, two-story automobile dealership with a showroom, a service center, new bathrooms, landscaping and parking spaces.
Employees had worked inside a 3,600-square-foot aluminum and fabric structure during construction, while the rest of the dealership was being rebuilt.
“We worked with some harsh conditions the past two years,” Ayria said. “We were in a tent.”
The tent housed an automobile showroom and a sales office.
The overall project involved the building of a new showroom, office space, parts and inventory storage, indoor vehicle storage, and light maintenance area and new service bays. The project also required new parking and bicycle spaces.
Ayria said the new building will help the business.
“It’s more convenient, it’s easier for the clients,” Ayria said. “It’s going to help us sell more cars.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
