One Hartford auto dealer’s misfortune has become a gain for another Connecticut dealer.
Facing pressure from its state landlord to move out, Volkswagen of West Hartford in recent weeks has abandoned its longtime quarters at New Park Road and Flatbush Avenue in West Hartford to occupy two showrooms at 133-149 Leibert Road in Hartford that were once home to auto dealer Tony March’s former Mazda and Mitsubishi franchises.
In December, March abruptly shuttered his two remaining showrooms, selling Buicks, Pontiacs and Saturns, on Leibert Road, in Hartford’s North Meadows, due to the weak local and national auto markets. Since then, realty circles have speculated about the uncertain future of the dealership buildings, the newest of which was erected in the last decade.
Now, the renamed Volkswagen of Hartford is the latest occupant, according to dealership officials and city records. Dealership President Fred Valenti said he purchased one of the sites for $2.3 million; the other he is leasing. Both showrooms — one of which sells Jaguars — will be renovated later this year, he said.
Valenti said the state Transportation Department’s plan for a 9.4-mile, $569 million busway linking Hartford to New Britain prompted the relocation. The state, he said, bought his West Hartford location in September 2007, and asked him to move so it could begin demolishing and remediating the site.
DOT confirms the former Bill Barry Volkswagen site will be one of several passenger depots when the busway begins service in 2013.
On Dec. 11, the Hartford Development Agency granted Valenti’s request to use city land across Leibert Road from his showrooms for employee parking and overflow storage for new vehicles.
