Fox Ford Lincoln break ground on Elston Ave. in Logan Square

Rendering of Fox Ford Lincoln site on N. Elston

Fox Motors officially broke ground for their new 145,000 square foot Ford Lincoln dealership facility on a 7.4 acre site at 2501 N. Elston Ave. on Tuesday afternoon, June 24.

This is the first major step in changing the area around the intersections of Damen, Elston and Fullerton Avenues. The facility is scheduled to be operational in October 2015. 

Cook County's Herman Brewer

Throughout the ground breaking presentations, everyone spoke about Fox's family values. Their creation team reflects that philosophy. General contractor Valenti Builders of Chicago is partnering with the construction firm of Triangle Associates, Inc. and they are both working with Gensler, the architectural designer. As was stated during the ceremonies, the cultures and core values of each firm was important to Fox in building the team. 

According to Fox, the $57 million project will involve 50 Chicago-based contractors, subcontractors, vendors and suppliers, creating 200 to 240 construction jobs for local residents. 

Representing Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Bureau Chief Herman Brewer, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, pointed out that economic growth is a major focus for Preckwinkle. She was at the table early on in the proposed Fox project by supporting a Class 7b incentive worth about $4.6 million. 

In keeping with Chicago's beginnings as a manufacturing hub, Brewer pointed out that, "Just last month the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that the Chicago metro region is one of 12 locations designated as manufacturing communities through the Investing Manufacturing Communities Partnership." 

Alderman Scott Waguespack with Pamella and Daniel DeVos of Fox Motors

Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward Alderman, reflected on families too. Babies and toddlers in the audience reminded him of his early interests in the automotive industry. "I learned to drive on a Ford, though I wasn't legal yet. And now I let my two-year-old play around in the car. The first thing he goes for is the steering wheel and says, 'I want to drive, I want to drive.' What excites me about this project is the family values that Fox Motors and Ford bring to the table. 

"Throughout the process over the last couple of years, the people of Fox Ford have been very respectful of process of Chicago zoning, process of politics, which caused many obstacles and hiccups for quite some time. But, we were able to overcome that by showing people that Ford does  things the right way…that Ford has the family values the 32nd Ward and the City of Chicago really value. 

"The people that really helped move this forward have all been at the table as one to make sure that this process would flow in the right way. When you talk about family values, I want to mention the Schwartz Family who  worked with Fox Ford to help move this forward. [Mid-Town Tennis Club is owned by the Schwartz Family.] 

"The first day I saw the Heneghan trucks, I was excited. I'm proud to have worked with all the many people in zoning, transportation, businesses…It is hard to imagine how many people it took to make this happen. Though some businesses may lose a little, so many will gain so much. So welcome and congratulations to all." 

Ford Motor's Dave Kelleher

Dave Kelleher, Ford Motor Company Director of Market Representation, talked about how in 2007 Ford was wondering how to get back into the City. Now they are looking at one of the best possible facilities by a business whose goal is to serve community. He said that there are two things he knows about Fox. They have family values and they have an absolute goal to serve the community. 

"They treat employees  as their gold, customers as their life blood and community as loyalty to sustain their business…don't know any organization that is more giving to employees, customers and their community. So I think Chicago is fortunate to have the Fox group and I know that Ford Motor Company is fortunate to be partnering with them." 

This rendering shows one view of the interior showroom

When the location opens, they hope to have the same 30 employees currently working at the S. Michigan Ave. location. According to Monica Sekulich, Senior Vice President of Fox Motors, "Our plan is to have 135 employees as part of the dealership soon after opening. The multi-story LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certified building  will be both a sales and service site." 

Expected to have 3,300 new and 1,200 used car sales in their first year, there will be several customer lounge areas with 50 service bays to handle maintenance. 

A second rendered interior view

With permits already in hand, Valenti's President Jim Valenti indicated that they will be pouring foundations shortly after July 4. 

Fox Motors is a Michigan based business that began in Grand Rapids, MI, in 2000 as Fox Saab, a brand they no longer work with. Now they have 42 brands in 24 locations with 1,000 employees. They entered the Illinois market in February 2013 when then opened Fox Ford and Lincoln at 2401 S. Michigan, Chicago. In February 2014, they acquired Chicago Harley-Davidson and Lake Shore Harley-Davidson in Libertyville. Their most recent opening was Alfa Romeo of Traverse City in Michigan. 

Daniel G. DeVos is Fox Motors Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)but he wears many other hats as well. He and his wife Pamella are enjoying Chicago so much that they purchased a home in the City.