Here’s what’s being built by the pancake house in Kennewick’s Southridge neighborhood
A used car dealership is taking shape at a high-profile location in Kennewick’s Southridge neighborhood.
The future home of The Auto Lot, currently Alvarez Auto Sales, is being built at 3809 Plaza Way, next to the Original Pancake House.
Owner Sergio Alvarez expects to begin selling cars, trucks and SUVs on the property by mid-July. A two-story, 4,000-square-foot showroom and office building should be ready by October. A repair shop will follow.
The auto business will move from its current quarters at 5225 W. Canal Drive at Edison Street, near Kamiakin High School
The simplified name signals Alvarez’s intent to elevate his brand and beef up both the inventory of vehicles, as well as sales, which currently average about 40 a month.
“I wanted something that’s easier to remember,” he said. Alvarez said he’s long dreamed of expanding the business from used-car lot on a corner to a proper dealership with room to offer customer-friendly services, including a service shop.
He can park up to 80 vehicles at his current quarters. The new one will accommodate up to 150, which he said will expand to 300 in the future. He hopes to triple sales as well.
“Our lot is pretty small,” he said. He chose Southridge because there are no other car dealerships in the vicinity.
The Auto Lot spot fronts Plaza Way and backs up to Highway 395 at Kennewick’s southern gateway.
Alvarez said he established the business 10 years ago and is eager to raise its profile. He sources vehicles from local car auctions that resell vehicles from the Northwest, typically rental cars and trade-ins.
The city of Kennewick authorized a construction permit in May that valued the project at $740,000. Alvarez Holdings paid $1.5 million for the property in April 2022. Plans include parking for about 240 vehicles, including electric vehicles.
Baker Architecture of Richland is the designer. MH Construction of Kennewick is the contractor.
This story was originally published June 12, 2023 at 5:00 AM.