Terrus Headquarters/Former Crescent Chevrolet

[DMRyan]

The Crescent man is closing down, marking the end of a car sales era downtown. There are no longer any new car dealerships left downtown, opening up huge swaths of land to be redeveloped.

Kind of ironic considrering their commercials that have been playing lately about visiting Crescent in the "new downtown".



From the Register:

Downtown's Crescent Chevrolet sold, closing
By PATT JOHNSON
REGISTER BUSINESS WRITER

August 22, 2007

The last new car dealer in downtown Des Moines will close in the next few weeks.

Bill Jensen’s Crescent Chevrolet at 555 17th St. is being sold to Deery Bros. Chevrolet, which has a dealership in Carlisle.

Deery Bros. will consolidate the two businesses and within 2 1/2 years plan to build a new Chevrolet dealership in Pleasant Hill, said Brad Deery, a dealer/principal in Deery Bros.

Jim Jensen, vice president of Crescent, said he told employees Wednesday afternoon of the deal.

“It’s been a good run here,” he said. “We feel sad we’re closing, but it’s time to move on.” Included in the deal with Deery is Jensen Auto Center in Pella.

Jensen would not disclose how much Deery was paying for the two Chevrolet franchises.

Jensen said it is likely he and his father Bill Jensen will continue to operate the dealership’s used car center at 1821 Ingersoll Ave.

Deery Bros. moved into Carlisle in 2005 when it bought Wright Chevrolet. In addition, the Deerys own dealerships in West Burlington, Maquoketa, Waterloo and Cedar Falls.

In buying the Crescent Chevrolet franchise, Brad Deery said his company agreed to build a location in Pleasant Hill within 30 months. The Deerys have not selected a location, he said.

“We have a couple of sites narrowed down,” he said.

The proposed dealership will include a 30,000 to 45,000 square foot showroom sitting on 5 acres. Deery said he expects the new shop will sell about 200 cars a month.

When the Pleasant Hill store is completed, Deery Chevrolet will move there from Carlisle. Deery Bros. is working to get a new car franchise for Carlisle, Deery said.

[Mototail]

This is a sad day for downtown business, but it's understandable with the climate in the auto industry nowadays. They are getting out before they lose their pants.
We need to wake up in the downtown market and let our leaders now that in order for people to maintain business down here the city needs to set their mark at $ 250,000 or under.
If the market of condos wasn't so high priced more attention would be paid to this area and possibly the Jensen's would have keep their dealership in some form.
Has anyone heard about who bought the dealer lot next to Jensen's?

[Better Life dude]

I have beeen told - second hand - on the planned use for the Stivers building. I don't know the actual owners though. The building would be renovated to be mixed use - possibly office and some kind of entertainment venue. I don't know any specifics.

As for Crescent Chevrolet, their closing is a sad day event. Hopefully their properties won't sit idle for years on end.

[dogbo]

Wow! How strange considering (as Ryan mentioned) their commercials are currently running on TV (I'm 99% sure I saw one this morning) bragging about how they're the last dealership downtown and how they plan to stay downtown. Weird.

That said, I'm not at all saddened by this news. Big parking lots with cars are not exactly the type of business that gives a downtown a lively buzz. Think about it. How often do people shop for a new car? This type of business simply isn't needed (and could be argued detracts) from a lively downtown business environment.

There are much better uses for this land.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

This may be part of the reason:

Domestics cut down the number dealerships
Posted Apr 9th 2007 8:38AM by Damon Lavrinc

One of the issues ailing domestic automakers is a bloated sales network, which sometimes includes pitting two dealers of the same brand against one another within the same market. Chrysler, Ford and General Motors have been trying to make inroads into this problem over the past year, and while these efforts are for the good of the company, the effects take their toll.

According to Automotive News, the Big 2.5 cut 462 dealerships between them in 2006. So far in 2007, GM has killed off 222 of its own dealerships, compared to this time last year. Much of this effort is the consolidation of franchises that only sold a few of the automaker's brands, to now include as many as they can handle (i.e. a GMC dealership now carries Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, HUMMER, Saab, etc.)

GM isn't alone in their neighborhood downsizing, as both Chrysler and Ford have made significant cutbacks so far this year, with the former nixing 134 dealerships, while the latter cut 126, when compared to 2006 figures.

The upside to all of these cutbacks is more profits for fewer dealers, but at the same time, dealers that have been in the business for decades are being forced to sell their stores to local competitors. As expected, these retailers are leaving their livelihood feeling bitter and dejected.

Whether or not any of this will make a difference to the Big 2.5's bottom line remains to be seen, but it should be interesting to see how many total dealers were lost in 2007 and how many more will be killed off in 2008.

[Source: Automotive News (Sub. Req.)]

[NOG]

Yeah this sucks. We have two cars, a Chevrolet and a Chrysler. I loathe having to have work done on the Chrysler because it is such an inconvenience to have to drive it so far out of the way from home and work. Plus you just don't see those two story showrooms everyday.

We need to wake up in the downtown market and let our leaders now that in order for people to maintain business down here the city needs to set their mark at $ 250,000 or under.
If the market of condos wasn't so high priced more attention would be paid to this area and possibly the Jensen's would have keep their dealership in some form.

This business serves all the westside neighborhoods and is surrounded by 100's of units of housing well under $250,000 so I do not think housing costs have anything to do with its closing. Although as some one who wants to live downtown, I completely agree with your statement. I can just barely afford the bigger condos downtown, but then you start looking at housing for around the same price, you get up tor 3 times more sq footage, without any association dues and parking fees thrown on top of your mortgage. On top of that you can be pretty confident you will get a good return on your investment where as the condo market downtown is still an unknown as far how well that investment will pay off. It has frustrated me quite a bit, but hopefully we can find something in Sherman Hill to somewhat facilitate my desire to live downtown.

[NOG's Wife]

Bummer. We've had work done on our Chevy at that dealership, and I always felt they were fair to us.

It is kind of an eyesore, though.

[DMRyan]

This whole area is an inconsistent mess of development, particularly along High Street. After driving through the area today, there are plenty of crumbling, disposible buildings and empty, weed covered lots from former car dealerships. I hope the entire Crescent property doesn't meet the same fate, but it probably will unless the site is actively used for something in the interim before it is redevleoped. There is enough land in this area that 10 more years of development would still be hard pressed to redevelop all of the sites that need work.

The plus is that there is defintely development momentum in this neighborhood, and the property values are less than that of the rest of downtown closer to the core.

[MusicMan]

The Jensen's own most of the Crescent land (except for the main building which is still owned by the original dealership owner). As far as I know the land was not part of the transaction.

[Better Life dude]

All of the new cars are now gone from Crescent's lots surrounding their showroom. More empty surface lots for the neighborhood.

[Aulus]

It appears it is even worse than that.

Yesterday afternoon, as I was coming home after work, I saw they not only had no new cars out, but it also looked like the showroom was empty of cars and furniture. I also noticed the door to the repair shop on 17th Street was open and, looking in, the shop looked pretty barren, too.

It was always kind of comforting to know that back when I was driving a Taurus, I could just roll down to Stivers if it needed work and later, with a Chevy now, do the same with Crescent. All gone now, from the looks of it.

I am also becoming increasingly annoyed that Stivers and/or their realtor cannot seem to keep the grass and weeds mowed on their corner of 17th and High. If you are northbound on 17th and stopped at the stop sign there, it is really hard to see oncoming eastbound traffic on High, due to the tall grass and weeds.

[wmjindsm]

I am also becoming increasingly annoyed that Stivers and/or their realtor cannot seem to keep the grass and weeds mowed on their corner of 17th and High. If you are northbound on 17th and stopped at the stop sign there, it is really hard to see oncoming eastbound traffic on High, due to the tall grass and weeds.

They mowed yesterday (Wednesday). Thank goodness, I live across from that. It was fun to walk down the sidewalk and come out of that with shoes and pants full of sandburrs.

[Aulus]

Good. I noticed that today when I drove by.

I also noted big signs up in the south and west windows of Crescent saying "Now being serviced at Deery Bros. Chevrolet Hwy 5 Carlisle."

There were also signs on the doors stating last day for service department was 9/7/09 and new cars, 9/10/07. Sure not wasting any time gutting it, are they?

[DMRyan]

All you can really do with this and the old Stivers site is hope for redevelopment plans. The existing buildings on these sites are marginal at best, and any interim use that goes back into these sites will be hard pressed to add a lot of value to what goes on in this district unless properly redevloped. This is a lot of land that could really create quite an urban neighborhood someday. Hopefully the city will pounce on this to start planning the future of this area, a real transition between the downtown core and the neighborhoods.

[MusicMan]

Plans for the Stivers land call for the building to stay. Not sure about any of the Crescent buildings.

[CJG]

I am concerned that the Crescent lot is going to be converted to a used car lot, much like the hideous used car lots that dot the eastern Ingersoll area. Isn't there anything that the city can do to keep the used car lots from this hot development area? At least make the landscaping berms like they have in WDSM which hides the parking lots/cars from view driving by. That would help move them out, perhaps.

[Aulus]

I am concerned that the Crescent lot is going to be converted to a used car lot, much like the hideous used car lots that dot the eastern Ingersoll area.

Oh, please.

How many used car lots are there in the "eastern Ingersoll area?"

Two.

One of which is, wait for it.....Crescent Chevrolet.

Imagine that.

Now, if you had said "...the hideous used car lots that dot East University," it might have made some marginal sense, but just barely.

[Ingersoll1978]

Let's be nice...

[CJG]

I am concerned that the Crescent lot is going to be converted to a used car lot, much like the hideous used car lots that dot the eastern Ingersoll area.

Oh, please.

How many used car lots are there in the "eastern Ingersoll area?"

Two.

One of which is, wait for it.....Crescent Chevrolet.

Imagine that.

Now, if you had said "...the hideous used car lots that dot East University," it might have made some marginal sense, but just barely.

Well, since East University is not the hotbed of new development in the city, perhaps my quote still makes sense. You can have your own opinion, obviously. I think two used car lots are two too many for this area of town.

My desire is for the beautification of Ingersoll not be all for naught because in the middle of the redevelopment we have a bunch of used Dodge SUV's with cheesy flags. Sorry you disagree, but I still am concerned that redevelopment will be reduced in this area if the city does not curb the land use.

[dogbo]

I guess I'd be surprised if a used car dealer moved in. I don't think they could afford the purchase price to make if viable. Maybe 10 or 15 years ago, but not now.

[hawk61401]

I agree with CJG. Two are too many for used car lots on Ingersoll. Let's ban um and restrict um to Merle Hay Road and West Des Moines.

The used car business started the flags. Now everybody wants to fly a tacky so-call attention flag ...... apartment complexes, gas stations, home builders and real estate. How would you like to have this baby flying next to your house?

[Aulus]

Just what do you mean by "ban?"

No new ones? OK, I'm fine with that.

Force Stew Hanson's and Crescent's lots out by governmental fiat? Sorry, I can't go along with that. It smacks of ex post facto law and the heinous abuses of eminent domain seen elsewhere of late.

If you are going to do that, then why not go all out and give G&L the boot, too? They have the oh so tacky type of big parking lot on Ingersoll that has been decried on other threads and I'm sure the banner/flag haters likely just grind their teeth over all the window neon in that store.

That said, I don't have a problem with the two used car lots on Ingersoll now. They are well maintained and actually rather understated as used car lots go.

The old Crescent dealership building site is very unlikely to become a used car lot. First, as noted above, it would be cost prohibitive to take down the building and clear the lot for a used car lot. It is also set too far back from Ingersoll, having a slight hill between it and the lot as well as Linden Avenue. It would take a special waiver from the city to eliminate that street just for what would be a small business. Second, if the old Stiver's lot, one that would be much, much more suitable, has sat empty for two years or so with no one making it a used car lot, it makes it all the more unlikely the Crescent lot will go that way.

[DMRyan]

It became public today, the intention of Terrus Real Estate to work with the owner of the old Crescent Chevrolet showroom to renovate it into office space for their HQ and other leasible space. This is coming just in time to feed off of all the project going on in this transition area between downtown and Sherman Hill.

From the Business Record:

The former Crescent Chevrolet building, 555 17th St., Des Moines, has been sold. Terrus Real Estate Group purchased the property from Piggott Marital Trust for $995,000 in a sale that closed on July 24, said Mike Brown, a senior broker at CB Richard Ellis/Hubbell Commerical. Randy Minear, president and chief executive officer of Terrus, said the property management company intends to move its headquarters into the existing structure on the parcel in early 2009 if everything goes as planned. The new owner plans to eventually remodel the building and possibly lease out any remaining space. Exact plans have yet to be finalized, Minear said, adding that the goal is to "stay close to downtown." Terrus will continue to operate at its current location, 616 10th St., Des Moines, to support Principal Financial Group Inc., one of its main clients.

[Aulus]

I suppose that explains why Monday afternoon when I drove by there, there were guys just cleaning up after weed and trash removal. Meanwhile, the old Stiver's lot remains overgrown and trashy in the extreme.

[Better Life dude]

You would think Terrus would want to fix up the Crescent building before moving in - but this is good news. It's nice to know the lower Sherman Hill area is gradually being redeveloped.

The Stivers buidling - what's up with the slow progress with it I wonder? And Aulus is right: the lot behind the Stivers building has become a weedy landfill for construction dirt and debris. It's much worse than when it was just an empty asphalt lot.

[Young DSM Social Club]

More good news for this area!

I am not sure why the Stivers building looks like it does, but the architect firm moving in did recently go before City Council for some financing, which was approved. I do think this project will start to take shape soon. It definitely is not dead.

[Aulus]

They need financing to run a damn lawn mower for an hour or two?

[Aulus]

Well, last week, at the old Stivers lot, some one did do a little mowing and weed whacking, mostly right along the sidewalk on Ingersoll where it meets the asphalt slope. It was sloppily done and they didn't even bother with the weeds and trash up by the building nor on the parking on the east side of the lot and most definitely not in the fenced in area at the back of the lot.

Now they have a semi trailer parked in front of the place, rusting.

I called the city last week, got transferred to some guy's voice mail and have yet to get a call back on just why the city is letting this slide. We do have a weed ordinance here, right? I'm tempted to cruise by and hose the whole lot down with Round-Up late some night.

The folks who own the old Crescent Chevrolet buildings keep them looking presentable. Why can't these bozos?

[hawk61401]

Des Moines needs to do what Canton, Ohio did with their grass and weed ordinance. It would get owners like those of the old Stiver's lot to be responsible or do the time.

Ohio City Passes Jail Time for Long Lawns

The new law ups a second high-grass citation to a fourth-degree misdemeanor, which could result in a fine and up to 30 days in jail.
Friday, June 27, 2008

(UPI) - City officials in Canton, Ohio, say they're coming after scofflaws who do not cut their lawns with a beefed-up ordinance and possible jail time.
Canton's city council recently voted 12-0 to approve a new law including possible jail time for repeat offenders who let their yards become overgrown and weed-infested, the Canton (Ohio) Repository reported. The new law, it said, ups a second high-grass citation to a fourth-degree misdemeanor, which could result in a fine and up to 30 days in jail.

The city fathers are instituting a clampdown on some of the biggest problem yards where grass and weeds measure at a foot or more and which the city is forced to mow at taxpayer expense. The tall grass can also become a health hazard because they attract rodents.

City officials received a blizzard of e-mails opposed to the jail time element of the proposed law when it was highlighted on a popular conservative Web site, the Repository reported. But that didn't stop Mayor William Healy from supporting it, saying it is more about saving the city the $250,000 per year it spends mowing private lots than on punishing people with jail time.

[wmjindsm]

I did notice the other week they were gutting the showroom.