After months of debate about the property at the corner of Grand and Cleveland avenues, a new auto repair shop is open and ready for business.

Signal Garage and Auto Care bought the property Jan. 11 and officially opened Feb. 2. Some St. Thomas students said they are disappointed about the development.

“There has been a lot of talk about this repair shop in my classes,” junior Matt Batinich said. “Students in my class would have liked to see a Taco Bell or other fast food option.”

Senior Kristina Smith agreed having another food option close to campus would have been ideal.

“It would have been nice to put something at that corner that was more tailored to St. Thomas students,” Smith said. “An Applebee’s or Buffalo Wild Wings would have been cool.”

Rami Derhy, owner of Signal Garage and Auto Care, said previous plans for residential and retail buildings were “not supported by the neighborhood.” Building plans by Johnson Companies and Elness Swenson Graham Architects for residential and commercial buildings were dropped.

“The previous plans were to have a six-story building with underground parking,” Derhy said. “The first floor would have had retail stores, and the other five would be used for apartments.”

John Hershey, St. Thomas neighborhood liaison, said residents near the development were upset about the height of the building and thought the building would create more traffic in the area.

But “the community has been very supportive” of the new garage, Derhy said.

Customers of commercial neighbors Coffee Bené and Davanni’s used the space for parking while no business was there.
Geoff Tilsen, general contractor for the repair shop site, said parking will not be available in the garage lot for Davanni’s and Coffee Bené customers.

“They knew that this corner could only be used for parking temporarily,” Tilsen said.

She said Coffee Bené and Davanni’s are not planning on acquiring additional parking in the near future. Kelly Langworthy, Coffee Bené manager, said there is no space for additional parking.

“There have been no angry costumers about the parking spaces being taken away,” Langworthy
said. “There are enough parking spaces on the street and in the back of the building.”

Davanni’s manager Jill Wittenburg said Davanni’s is committed to having a good business relationship with Signal Garage and Auto Care.

“Rami is a good guy and only wants the best for the people around him,” she said.

Hershey said he agrees with students.

“Here is a chance to infill the city and develop land in a creative way,” he said. “A two-level building with offices would have been nice. It would have been a chance to beautify the corner.”

Hershey said St. Thomas was not involved in the projects.

“The owner means well and wants to give to the community,” Hershey said. “I have nothing against their business.”

Kelsey Schultz can be reached at krschultz2@stthomas.edu.