Document text
Airport adds two leases Butler Imports, Frito-Lay plan sales, distribution buildings By DAVID PRESZLER Two businesses have signed long-term leases for Jackson County airport property. Butler Imports Inc. and a Roseburg developer representing Frito-Lay signed 20-year leases for a combined four acres on opposite ends of the Rogue Valley International Airport, county officials said Tuesday. Together, the leases will generate $42,000 for the county in the first year and the amount will increase each year to account for inflation. Both leases also have renewal options. Butler owner Chuck Butler said his company plans to open a dealership to sell new Kia, Hyundai and Acura vehicles as well as used trucks on 2 acres off Crater Lake Highway. The new lot will be an expansion of Butler Imports' Ashland dealership. The company holds franchise rights for Kia, Hyundai and Acura from Eugene to Redding, Calif. "We need to have a presence in the Medford area for those franchises," Butler said. The company also will move its used truck center from South Riverside Avenue to the new spot. Butler said he hasn't decided what to do with the Riverside lot. The new lot will be directly across the highway from Pat and Mike's Builders Service, which is at 2810 Crater Lake Highway. Butler said the company is working through the planning process and hopes to open in June. There are restrictions about lighting and building height because of the proximity to the airport. Airport officials say Frito-Lay plans to build a 12,000-square-foot regional distribution center that will combine the operations of its current centers in Medford and Grants Pass. The new center will be on 1 acres at the end of Schultz Road on the north end of the airport. Twenty to 30 employees would work at the new center, airport officials said. Frito-Lay officials did not return a phone call seeking more information about the company's plans and the Roseburg developer, Bruce Anderson, could not be reached. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA