Owner Mario Murgado wanted to open his Jacksonville Bentley/Maserati Alfa Romeo dealership this month, but he changed that to May or June because of COVID-19.
“We were planning and targeting this month. However, that will not happen with the current state lockdown,” Murgado said by email April 13.
“We still are moving as quickly as we can carefully and with safety first and foremost; however, as you can imagine, many things have been a slowdown with the nationwide shutdown,” he said.
While the date is fluid, Murgado said the opening could be in 30 to 60 days.
The dealership comprises showrooms and service facilities at 7137 Bonneval Road, off Interstate 95.
Murgado is president and CEO of Miami-based Murgado Automotive Group Inc.
He said March 18 he wanted to open the luxury dealership in mid-April, but said that depended on the coronavirus pandemic.
The city issued a permit Sept. 18 for the dealership at a construction cost of almost $11 million.
Murgado said April 15 the construction is near completion.
“Obviously we would like to open and complete construction as soon as possible,” he said. “That is currently out of our control as we have material that is being shipped to us from the Northeast and everything has been delayed.”
“We are working with the challenges that are presented and doing the best we can and hope that we will be able to open soon but to give you an exact date is not possible at this time,” he said.
Murgado said 30 people are in training and orientation to join when the dealership opens.
Murgado bought the property in February through MNAR-Real Estate Holdings LLC for $3.36 million.
Bentley will operate on one side of the dealership and Maserati and Alfa Romeo on the other.
Bentley is a luxury British car while Maserati and Alfa Romeo are Italian brands that are owned by FCA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
The 9-acre site includes lots for more development, such as a hotel, restaurant and retail uses. The city issued a permit April 14 for a four-story, 122-room WoodSpring Suites extended-stay hotel on 3.13 acres.