Richland Supervisors OK Tom Henry Chevrolet's Plans to Build New Showroom

Tom Henry Chevrolet plans to build a new showroom and raze its old one at its Route 8 location in Bakerstown.

The Richland Board of Supervisors moved those plans forward Wednesday when it unanimously approved preliminary and final land development plans.

Owner Tom Henry said the dealership will build a new 20,000-square-foot building at the northern end of its lot "to meet GM's requirements."

Then it will raze its current 17,700-square-foot dealership building on the southern end of the property at Route 8 and Heckert Road, he said.

The new facility will enable customers to drive their vehicles into the service area, thus avoiding bad weather, said Henry. It also will have ADA-approved bathrooms.

"We still have GM involved in this process," said Henry, who added they are working on meeting GM's specifications as they design the new building.

The supervisors also approved a lot consolidation plan -- a lot behind the dealership that Henry and his wife owned was consolidated with the dealership's main lot, which Tom Henry Chevrolet Inc. owns.

That will enable the dealership to add an employee parking lot that has access to Heckert Road.

That access also will help customers get onto busy Route 8 southbound by allowing drivers to take Heckert Road to the traffic light at Route 8.

The dealership has been in the township since 1958 and has 42 employees.

"Small businesses are the engines that spark the economy," said Township Manager Dean Bastianini, as he wished Henry luck with his plans.

"I think it's a good future," said Henry.