Going for the Green

The Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, Texas, which broke ground on October 14, is being designed from the ground up to maximize all environmentally sensitive possibilities. The dealership, which is being designed by the Dallas office of Gensler and constructed by Turner Construction's Dallas Business Unit, will utilize exterior and interior features that conserve energy and water and will incorporate approximately 75 percent recycled materials such as aluminum, steel, tile, carpet and more.

The 53,000-square-feet dealership sits on 14 acres and is scheduled for completion in June 2006.

“There are some things you do just because it's the right thing to do,” said Pat Lobb, dealer principal, “and this is one of those. Also, it is a great location in a great city.”

McKinney is also home to Wal-Mart new 206,000-square-foot green supercenter that opened last August. The store is conducting 26 experiments with green materials, technologies and processes. Wal-Mart is opening a second green experimental store in Aurora, Colo., on November 9.

The Toyota dealership has registered with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and will be the first auto dealership in the nation to seek official LEED (Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design) certification. LEED is the USGBC’s system for rating buildings that are designed to be sensitive to the environment. To receive LEED certification, green buildings are evaluated in six categories, including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design process.

Many of the newer Toyota dealerships have varying degrees of environmental features, but Pat Lobb Toyota will be the first all-environmental dealership to be designed with the LEED standards in mind.