LANCASTER : Officials Complete Johnson Ford Deal

Lancaster officials have completed a $2-million deal to purchase the Johnson Ford facility, paving the way for the auto dealer to begin construction on his promised new dealership in the city’s Lancaster Auto Mall.

Under the deal, Johnson Ford will pay the city $21,626-a-month for eight to 10 months to lease back its current site at 45640 23rd St. West during construction of the new mall dealership. Johnson will be the last of three major dealers committed to the mall to begin construction.

Lancaster Redevelopment Director Steve Dukett said the city plans to sell the current Johnson Ford site for light-industrial use. Johnson Ford had originally agreed to move to Palmdale’s new auto mall, but later canceled that deal and signed with Lancaster.