Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
September 10, 2007
I toured the new Frieze Harley Davidson dealership today and contractors are working feverishly to finish the building. Frieze plans to open for business tomorrow, although the building is not complete. Our inspectors have evaluated the building and it is sufficient for occupancy, but it just isn’t done yet.
When I went through this afternoon, boxes and equipment were strewn everywhere and extensive work was still needed to be done. However, they intend to have the service center open tomorrow and portions of the showroom to sell Harleys and apparel. A grand opening is scheduled for this Saturday, and they will have to work fast to have everything complete by then.
The project is unique because it is a LEED-certified environmentally friendly building. There are significant features in the design to make it more efficient, including recycling waste motor oil for heating, more efficient building materials, and a wind turbine for supplemental electrical supply.
As an uninformed outsider, it seems odd that they would want to open the business when it is not complete. On the other hand, the dealership loses money each day they are not selling motorcycles and accessories so it may be more beneficial to be partially open than totally closed.
In any case, they will be open tomorrow and we welcome the beginning of the O’Fallon era of Frieze Harley Davidson’s long business tradition.
| 
