A landmark in Bakersfield's auto industry is crumbling into history. The venerable 3-Way Chevrolet dealership on California Avenue is coming down. Actually the last remaining wall of what once was the repair shop at 3-Way Chevrolet came down Friday.
The ten acre lot has been sold to local investors Tim and Tina Lewy. The plan is to eventually bring retail businesses and restaurants to the site.
"Real estate goes in cycles. It's only a matter of time. Great piece of property. Great demographics and traffic here is one of the highest traffic counts in the city," said Mark Smith with Grubb & Ellis.
Built in 1969, 3way chevrolet was very popular among Kern County consumers. It received numerous sales awards over the years. Two months in a row in 2005, more cars and trucks were sold here than any other dealership in the country.
Three way moved to the auto mall a couple of years ago and with a new dealership in north Bakersfield, this site became surplus property.
Now, the last remnants of 3Way on California Avenue are being demolished. The demolition company says 90% of the material will be recycled.
"We'll turn the wood into mulch. We'll pull all of the nails and such and recycle that metal. And the concrete will be crushed on site, to be used as cover material for the site," said Stephen Larsen with Sierra Recycling and Demolition. "Keep it off the road and out of the landfill."
The demolition should be completed by Christmas.
It's a sad day for Sierra's Steve Meeks, who bought eleven cars from this dealership over the years.
"Some personal and some business vehicles. but I always enjoyed coming here and speaking with the salesmen and working a deal. Iit was a lot of fun. It's sad to see the place go. it was a landmark for a lot of us," said Meeks.
There is significant traffic in the area, so there are many possibilities being considered, even as a site for a new hotel.
