BERWYN, Ill. -

The former Phelan Dodge dealership in this Chicago suburb is about to undergo major remodeling and rebranding with the assistance of government officials.

The Berwyn Development Corp. and the city of Berwyn joined forces to assist Kia with a project officials estimate should cost more than $2 million.

Local leaders said Kia will purchase and remodel the facility that’s located at 7050 West Ogden Avenue in Berwyn, Ill. They forecasted the total project budget will be $2,456,100, with Berwyn’s Ogden Avenue Tax Increment Financing District providing gap financing and the majority of transaction funding coming from private investment.

Government officials saw the sales potential of Kia vehicles as being a major reason for getting involved in the project.

“In order to enhance the city’s sales-tax base, we identified Kia as a strong company that was not present in the trade area,” explained Anthony Griffin, executive director of the Berwyn Development Corp.

“After much effort by the city, we achieved a green light from Kia’s corporate office that led to our introduction to ownership at Willowbrook Ford-Kia,” Griffin added.

Al Meyer, president of Willowbrook Ford-Kia, noted that he was quite receptive to the project once the automaker came on board.

“When Kia corporate and the BDC approached us, we realized that we were presented with a potentially good business opportunity along with forming a great relationship with a city that rolls up its sleeves to achieve progress,” Meyer stated.

The new franchise dealership project stirred quite a response from Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero, as well.

“By bringing a new car dealership into the city, we are able to diversify our tax base and strengthen our local economy,” Lovero stated.

“Considering what the auto industry has gone through globally in the last several years, obtaining a new car dealer was quite a coup and provides a tremendous boost to our historic Route 66 corridor,” he concluded.