Car auction facility nears completion

Long Island Business News, May 23, 2003 by Nick Anastasi

In what is set to become the first wholesale dealer-licensed vehicle auction on Long Island, development is nearly complete on the new Adesa Long Island complex on County Road 101.

Established in 1989 and headquartered in Indianapolis, ADESA - an acronym for Auto Dealers Exchange Services of America - is a wholly owned subsidiary of publicly traded ALLETE Inc.

Through its network of subsidiaries, Adesa operates 53 wholesale vehicle auctions located across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Adesa is a wholesale vehicle remarketing partner that works with area automobile dealerships, car rental companies and financial institutions looking to sell vehicles. Open only to those with a dealership license, Adesa auctions off more than 2 million cars each year.

Its latest operation is located in the heart of the Town of Brookhaven's growing industrial corridor. It consists of two main buildings located on two separate parcels that total 47 acres. The buildings have a combined 67,000 square feet of commercial space. Both buildings are scheduled for completion in June.

The main auction building is being built on 30 acres and will house the automotive auction arena and Adesa's administrative offices in a 36,430-square-foot facility.

It will feature six fully-automated auction lanes, 500 dealer parking spaces, four covered consignment registration lanes, and sale parking for more than 1,500 consigned units.

The auction will also house a 120,000-square-foot vehicle loading and unloading area that is big enough to receive hundreds of vehicles at one time. It will also have a secure dealer drop-off and pre- registration area.

The receiving, reconditioning and mechanical shop property is located a few hundred yards to the south of the main building. Its development has involved the redevelopment of a former industrial facility on 17.5 acres at the intersection of CR 101 and Horseblock Road.

Adesa Long Island will use modern technology to reclaim wastewater used to wash the vehicles. The "zero discharge" process removes contaminants to below detectable levels.

"We're excited with the progress we've made thus far," said Todd Darr, general manager for Adesa Long Island. "As we watch the construction, we begin to envision the facility that vehicle dealers on the Island asked us to build."

Weekly consignment and factory sales will take place almost every day from the site, which will require an employee roster of about 120.

"With skilled workers and a strong sense of community involvement, Adesa Long Island will offer great opportunities to the community," said Ric Hanson, ADESA regional vice president, eastern region.