Car dealership will replace abandoned building across from Markville Mall
By Steve Pecar, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
A car dealership is set to replace a long-abandoned industrial building in Markham.
The dealership is earmarked for the corner of McCowan Road and Heritage Road across from Markville Mall.
The building was previously used as a bus depot for a transportation company, and the property has a large communications tower. Part of the large property has also been used to build a self-storage facility.
In a presentation of the plan to Markham councillors, it was indicated that the dealership would be a three-storey structure that would modernize the location by being set closer to the street. Parking would be hidden behind or inside the building.
Further, it was pointed out the building will fit in with other dealerships in the area as well as businesses that deal with the car industry.
The location would also be used as a service centre for car repairs.
The proposal was put forward by the AWIN Group of Dealerships which represents such car manufacturers as BMW, Ford, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, among others, but hasn’t indicated which cars will be sold at this location.
“The property right now is an eyesore, so it’s a welcome addition to the neighbourhood,” said Ward 4 Councillor Karen Rea in support of the plan at a recent Development Services public meeting. Rea asked the dealership operators to make sure the site is kept clean and safe during the process of demolishing the existing abandoned building.
Mayor Frank Scarpitti also said he was pleased with the plan at the committee meeting.
“I think it’s a good utilization of the land right now,” the mayor said, adding that he didn’t want to see cars parked on the lawn in front of the building.
There was discussion about the long-term use of the property, which can be zoned for different uses.
It was suggested that several years in the future the property — and others around it — would be converted into high-density residential units.
A spokesperson for the dealership said that concept is a possibility in the years ahead as some dealership properties are being converted into condos as the market changes.