October is Economic & Community Development Month

It was appropriate given the monthly theme of Rotary International, that we start the month off with a meeting and program at the new Dwayne Lane's Arlington Chevrolet.  Tom Lane, the CEO of Dwayne Lane's family of auto dealerships and an Everett Rotarian, told us all about the effort to relocate the dealership from SR 9 to Island Crossing.
 
 
Dwayne Lane’s has always been a top sponsor of Rotary initiatives.  “No better dollar spent in a community than a Rotary dollar.” – Tom Lane.
 
October 7th at 5 pm grand opening will be held at the dealership.  Please attend. 
 
Tom discussed the long process to get approval to build the dealership.  At times there were 30+ different contractors on site ensuring they met their deadlines. 
 
In 1954 Dwayne Lane started washing cars at a South Everett dealership.  In 1966 he bought into the car business and in 1994 purchased the Arlington dealership.
 
In 1990 the Growth Management Act designated every parcel in the state.  It wanted to classify the area the dealership is now as non-sprawl, non-growth.  It was designated agricultural land.
 
In 2009, City Attorney, Steve Peiffle, argued at the Supreme Court for appropriate designation of the area and won.
 
Then came the discussions with the Stilly Flood Control District.  Settlement was reached.
 
So far $450,000 has been spent on dirt to ensure the dealership is above the flood zone, with corresponding water retention area so as to not increase down stream flooding.
 
The rest of Island Crossing will be developed and hopefully bring more jobs and sales tax to the area. 
The City of Arlington was extremely helpful in the process. 
 
The building is 35,000 square feet and has to comply with dealer franchise agreement regarding design and color scheme.  It has the more capacity than the previous location to service larger vehicles and hold events. Our meeting was in the new community room:
 
 
38.5 full time employees and expect to have mid-50s by this time next year.
 
Here is a photo of the new showroom from the office area and balcony where the community room is located: