BETHLEHEM—T.A.C.S. Autobody shop on Route 9W in Glenmont is planning to expand doubling its current size.
The company plans to build a 10,955 square-foot site on family-owned land adjacent to its current location, and will tear down the abandoned house that sits there. Plans have been submitted to the town’s Planning Board for approval, and will likely be discussed at its Tuesday, May 3, meeting. The new space would be used to expand its repair facilities and include a new office and waiting area.
“We just started [the] process so all I’ve really done is submitted plans to town. But with any luck with what I’ve put in we’re definitely looking to expand,” said Matthew Ungerer, co-owner of T.A.C.S. Autobody.
Ungerer co-owns T.A.C.S. with his brothers, Kevin and Brian. The three brothers, who bought the company from their parents who found the shop, said the company’s existing space would be renovated as well. Expansion was needed to keep up with demand, and with recent technology upgrades in the car industry, T.A.C.S. is taking the expansion opportunity to install new equipment, including a state of the art paint booth.
“We’ve been here for a long time and we’re trying to expand as the town expanding,” described Ungerer. “The people in Bethlehem are looking for a local place and there really aren’t many auto body shops [here]. We think that we can provide a good service so that people don’t have to go to Wolf Road or Central Ave. for their repairs and maintenance.”
Ungerer emphasized that plans are still in the beginning stages and his goal in expanding is to keep the aesthetics of the neighborhood in mind. “The house that been there [that Ungerer plans to tear down for the expansion] has literally been an eye sore for many, many years and we want to make this corner look much nicer, especially with all development going on in Glenmont,” he said.
“We’re happy to see them remain in town, and that there business is certainly enough to warrant additional space,” said Bethlehem Planning Director Rob Leslie.
