PACIFIC BMW ACCELERATES SIZE DEALERSHIP LOOKING TO EXPAND SHOWROOM.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Pacific BMW on the Brand Boulevard of Cars is planning an expansion that would nearly double the size of the dealership, operators said Friday.

The dealer has applied to the city for a variance and a conditional use permit to construct an approximately 188,000-square-foot three-story dealership with rooftop parking at 716 to 810 S. Brand Blvd.

The current 100,000-square-foot dealership is located at 732 S. Brand Blvd.

``We've outgrown this facility and we want the service, parts and sales to be in the same place,'' said Steve Lindstrom, general manager of Pacific BMW. The service and parts building is now located on San Fernando Road.

``It makes more sense. We can give a lot better customer service when everything is at the same location,'' Lindstrom said.

The plans would allow the dealership - which Lindstrom said ranked third in the western region and 14th in the country last month for new car sales - to have more cars on-site and more service bays.

The dealer now has space for about 150 new and used cars, forcing operators to rent space in an Orange Street parking garage to store an additional 75 cars.

The new-car showroom would be larger and a bridge from the second floor of the existing building would extend over Windsor Road to the new facility, which would house the service and parts departments, Lindstrom said.

City staff has been working with Pacific BMW - which has been operating in Glendale since 1982 - on the project's design.

``The auto dealers are a major contributor to sales tax revenues for the city and that funds city services,'' said Philip Lanzafame, assistant director of the city's development services.

``We see this as a commitment to the Brand Boulevard of Cars and the city of Glendale to keep their dealership here.''

Nick Lam, vice president of Pacific BMW, said the dealership expects to start the two-phase construction in September and compete it in about 1 1/2 years. The dealership will continue to operate during the construction.