By Laura Katauskas | Bugle Staff
sweditor@buglenewspapers.com
@RomeovilleBugle
A new state-of-the-art Toyota dealership will be making its way to Weber Road.
A concept plan was recently introduced by Thomas Toyota to the Romeoville village board for a 46,000-square-foot building with a showroom, sales area, service areas and office space. The 5.8 acre site, now vacant, is to be located at the southwest corner of Weber Road and Grand Haven Circle, and is part of the Rose Plaza subdivision that was approved in 2005 and zoned as B-3 highway regional shopping.
“Thomas Toyota has been great to work with and we are very excited to see this project progress,” said Mayor John Noak. “A dealership of this stature is just what the Weber Road Corridor needs.”
The exterior of the building will match the corporate brand identity for Toyota that is recognizable in the newly constructed or renovated Toyota dealerships. The focal point of architecture will be illuminated glass with grey and red markings. The concept site plan includes 365 parking spaces with main access at the traffic signal at Grand Haven Circle.
Trustee Sue Micklevitz asked if there were any traffic concerns at that light.
Village Manager Steve Gulden reported that traffic counts were made initially at the time of the construction of Rose Plaza, anticipating a large retailer to take space at that site. Gulden explained that the plan accommodates for a heavier traffic flow than what is expected from Toyota and the apartment complex being built behind the proposed dealership.
Considering the close proximity of the dealership and the apartment building, Trustee Dave Richards cautioned that as the design phases moves forward, landscaping and trash enclosures should be considered.
Noak noted these were initial plans and that Romeoville Toyota would be developing more detailed plans over the next few months.
“This opens a lot of opportunities to the village and the community and will hopefully attract more business and solidify the Weber Road corridor, “ said Noak.
Construction is expected to begin this fall.