The Brosten Family's Long History of Automotive Recycling

Auto Parts City is one of Larry and Jay Brosten's auto-related businesses. The Brosten family has been involved in auto salvage and recycling since the 1930s. In 1976 they moved Hy-Way Auto to its present location at Routes 173 and 41 in Wadsworth, Illinois.

Hy-Way Auto: A Story of Success

There, they created one of the nation’s premier auto recycling facilities. Located next to the DesPlaines River and surrounded by Lake County Forest Preserve land, Ford Motor Company bought Hy-Way in 2000, and changed the name to Greenleaf™.  Hy-Way proved that modern auto recycling can co-exist in virtually any location, even next to a forest preserve and waterway, provided all proper processes are followed.

Greenleaf placed emphasis on purchasing late model cars for dismantling and resale of parts primarily for the insurance industry. The Brostens remained on staff at Greenleaf for several years as part of their management team. Ford sold Greenleaf in 2005, to outside investors.

Meanwhile Auto Parts City Shows its Age

The eight-acre Auto Parts City recycling site located along the eastern border of Gurnee, Illinois, was stuck in time. It had been a salvage yard for many years before the Brostens purchased it in 1984.

When they first acquired the facility, it processed approximately 200-300 vehicles per month. The focus of it was (and continues to be) on the recycling of older vehicles that are not desirous to the insurance industry. Currently, Auto Parts City processes approximately 1000 vehicles per month, many of those coming from the surrounding municipalities including, Waukegan, North Chicago, Gurnee and Park City.

Termed "antiquated" by the Brostens, Auto Parts City was considered a non-conforming legal use of the property and could not be updated.

The Search For a New Site Begins

For the past decade the Brostens have actively sought out alternative sites. The first site the Brostens chose was on Route 120 along the western edge of Waukegan. It never reached the formal presentation stage.

The second site, also in Waukegan, was a former ComEd utility company maintenance and training facility. The petition for a conditional use permit was withdrawn when it became apparent it would not get the city council's support.

Third time a Charm

In 2007, the Brostens bought the former Nordic Properties site. Located across the street from the existing Auto Parts City in Gurnee, Nordic Properties had been the corporate headquarters of a large construction company/real estate developer.

In October of the same year, the Brosten's petitioned for and were granted a Planned Unit Development permit to open up a state-of-the-art recycling facility. Preliminary construction began in late November. The new Auto Parts City is scheduled to open up sometime in mid-2008.

The soon-to-be "former" Auto Parts City
property is being marketed for redevelopment.