Solow Garage can stay in Richardson’s Interurban area as city eyes 'edgy' redevelopment

Property owner Stephen Graham with Simple Development Partners, who recently purchased several buildings and vacant lots on Interurban, supported the garage’s permit as he presented plans to transition the Interurban area from a predominantly automobile-centered corridor into a design district.

“This permit allows an established low-impact business to continue operating in compliance while generating the revenue and stability necessary to support ongoing reinvestment through the corridor,” Graham said. “It serves as a bridge between where the district is today and where we all want it tomorrow.”

The City Plan Commission recommended approval 4-3 for a special permit request May 19, with several commissioners arguing that the special permit case provided the city with an opportunity to change course from auto businesses to other uses.

Some context

Solow Garage is an authorized BMW collision repair center that has operated in the building under previous owners since 2012. In 2024, Clay Cooley VW received approval from the city for the motor vehicle shop to stay on the premises, but ended up putting the property back on the market, meaning Solow Garage needed a new special permit in its name to continue operating.

Owner Salvador Govea said Solow Garage is one of four BMW collision centers in the Dallas area, a certification that requires advanced training, specialized tools, manufacturing oversight and high repair standards.

The repair shop’s services include repairing minor dents and scratches, body and chassis work, painting, powder-coating and customized vehicle restorations. The garage currently has a five-year lease on Interurban.

“This is my business and my livelihood, and I have put years into building it here,” Govea said. “I want to keep building it here as a good neighbor for the long-term.”

What they’re saying

Council member Curtis Dorian said he does not support the garage remaining on Interurban long-term, but supported a special permit with a time limit to ensure that Govea does not have to make an immediate move.

“I do not want to deviate from the vision of what we’re looking at for this area,” Dorian said. “I’ve been working on this thing for over 20 years, and I just don’t want to lose that vision.”

Council member Jennifer Justice noted that there are several automotive uses still permissible under the area’s zoning, and so she does not see Solow Garage as being inconsistent with the city’s vision for the district.

“I can appreciate for sure that we don’t want an entire district of automotive uses,” Justice said. “We have a user who has proven to be a good small business here. People who are operating in this district think that the user is a good neighbor.”

Granting the special permit for Solow Garage to remain on Interurban will not obstruct future redevelopment in the area, City Manager Don Magner said, and the garage could serve as an interim use as the area awaits substantial redevelopment.

“I don’t think it’s auto use versus the vision,” Graham said. “If this permit is denied, the building sits vacant—the very outcome the corridor vision is meant to avoid. Vacancy does not create redevelopment.”

Zooming out

Graham and Simple Development Partners recently acquired several sites in the Interurban district, including the building that houses Solow Garage, with the aim of transforming the area into a defined design district.

In addition to improving the existing buildings, Graham said he is planning a new walkable development of storefronts on a vacant lot across from the garage.

“In the eight years I’ve been on the dais, this is the closest we’ve seen to any kind of a vision of being able to do something like what has been contemplated in the Interurban [area],” Mayor Pro Tem Ken Hutchenrider said.

Graham said he has already begun reducing the amount of auto use in the corridor, including by reducing Solow Garage’s space from 30,000 square feet to less than 10,000 square feet. However, Graham said he believes Solow Garage still has a place on Interurban.

“Rather than force out a quality business, our approach is to reduce its footprint, improve the property and continue transitioning the balance of the district over time,” Graham said.

Approving the special permit will not lock in the area as an auto corridor, Graham says, but allows an existing business to generate revenue and stability throughout future development.

“I would like to see Sal stay there long-term because he’s built his business there,” Graham said. “Once you find a successful small business, those are gold to a landlord.”

Looking ahead

Council unanimously approved a four-year special permit for Solow Garage, along with a direction to city staff to work with the property owner on improving walkability in the area of the garage to keep it in line with the mixed-use vision.

“We talk all the time about wanting to be incredibly supportive of our small businesses,” Hutchenrider said. “I think we have an opportunity to be able to show that.”