Ground breaks today for Honda dealership in Monroe

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By Denise Wilson, Staff Writer Updated 9:50 AM Tuesday, November 17, 2009

MONROE — A groundbreaking ceremony is set for today, Nov. 17 for Joe Morgan Honda to be built in Monroe.

The dealership, which bears the name of the former Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame second baseman who is the majority owner of the project, will be located in the Warren County area of Monroe, said Kevin Chesar, director of development for the city. It will be on about 4.5-acres of land just south of Treasure Aisles — formerly known as Turtle Creek Flea market — off Ohio 63 and Interstate 75 on Garver Road, Chesar said.

Those expected to be on hand for the ceremony include Morgan, several Honda officials from California and the Greater Cincinnati area and John Voss, co-owner of the dealership, said Dick Lange, general manager of the dealership.

“We’re getting really excited to the point of just getting it going. Its been a long journey for us to find the right location and get it done so now I guess we’re going to reap the fruits of this project here very shortly,” he said in an interview last month.

Chesar said plans call for foundation to be poured at the site before the end of the year followed by the start of construction next spring.

“As soon as the weather permits, we’ll get working on it and hopefully be open next summer,” Lange said.

General contractors Oswald Company Inc., in Kenwood will perform the work, he said.

The project calls for a 28,553-square-foot automobile sales and service area that will perform minor work, such as repair and warranty services and oil changes, Lange said.

In addition, Chesar said the project will include 167,467 square feet of outdoor sales area and a total of $3.5 million in real property value improvements.

The majority of vehicles that will be sold at the dealership will come from Marysville, Greenville, Ind., and Lincoln, Ala., Lange said.

Chesar said that Joe Morgan Honda is the first new car auto dealership to locate in Monroe, to his knowledge.

Lange, who also serves as general manager of Voss Auto Network in Dayton, said Morgan plans to be very active in the dealership, which is his first.

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