Chevy dealer's fate to be known soon Chevy dealer's fate to be known soon (August 24, 2005)

Is Menlo Park about to lose another auto dealership, and with it, a large chunk of sales-tax revenue for the city?

No decision has been made yet on whether to close down, sell or keep open the Anderson Chevrolet dealership, located at 300 El Camino Real in Menlo Park, but a decision is expected in the next week to 10 days, said Marc Cannon, vice president of corporate communications for AutoNation, the Fort Lauderdale-based company that owns more than 275 auto dealerships, including Anderson Chevrolet.

"We are exploring a number of opportunities," he said. "In our portfolio, we are always shifting and moving with dealerships -- we might add 10 and sell five dealerships. It depends on the marketplace."

Joe Hood, general manager of Anderson Chevrolet, would not comment on whether the dealership would close down or be sold. "Right now I don't know," Mr. Hood said. "AutoNation has not advised me yet."

In early July, Anderson Chevrolet decamped from its truck lot located across the street, and this weekend, a stack of packing boxes could be seen in the dealership's back room.

Menlo Park Mayor Mickie Winkler said the loss of the dealership would be a blow to city sales-tax revenues.

"It's not a surprise, because auto dealerships on El Camino have been dwindling. It doesn't seem to be the right place for them," she said.

Menlo Park officials are pursuing a plan to create an auto mall near U.S. 101 and Marsh Road, in hopes of boosting the city's economy. A traffic study of the project is underway.

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