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Texas Car Dealership First to Seek LEED Green Certification

Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, which broke ground Oct. 14, has been designed from the ground up to maximize all environmentally sensitive possibilities. Read More

(Updated on July 24, 2024)

Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney, which broke ground Oct. 14, has been designed from the ground up to maximize all environmentally sensitive possibilities. The exterior and interior features will conserve energy and water and will incorporate approximately 75% recycled materials such as aluminum, steel, tile, and carpet, among other materials.

The dealership, designed by the Dallas office of Gensler and constructed by Turner Construction’s Dallas Business Unit, will have 53,000 square feet and will sit on 14 acres. It is set to be completed in June 2006.

“There are some things you do just because it’s the right thing to do. This is one of those,” said Pat Lobb, dealer principal. “Also, it is a great location in a great city, and we are looking forward to serving the McKinney area.”

Pat Lobb Toyota is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council, and it will be the first auto dealership in the nation to seek official LEED (Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design) certification. LEED is a system for rating buildings that are designed to be sensitive to the environment. It was designed by the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington D.C. To receive the LEED certification, green buildings are evaluated in six categories: 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 says his is the first dealership to be designed with the LEED standards in mind. Toyota buildings such as the South Campus of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, in Torrance, Calif., and the processing center in Portland, Ore., already meet the LEED standards.

“One of the reasons people choose to work and do business in McKinney is because our rolling hills, trees and creeks,” said McKinney mayor Bill Whitfield. “Stewardship of our unique environment is important to the people of McKinney and we’re happy to welcome a company like Pat Lobb Toyota that shares our values.”

Taking a step further in caring about nature, Pat Lobb is personally donating five historically significant Texas trees to The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. The five trees are: a descendent of the Texas Treaty Live Oak Tree (where Stephen F. Austin made an agreement with the native Texas Indians), a Dwight D. Eisenhower Green Ash (from Denison, Texas, where Ike grew up), an Alamo Red Oak (from the Alamo), a Jim Bowie Live Oak and a Texas Champion Burr Oak. The purpose of Lobb’s tree donation is to set aside a place for the historic trees that are significant to the growth of Texas. The museum will subsequently add to these trees.

McKinney has fast become a prime location for construction of green buildings. Pat Lobb Toyota will join the green office building owned by West World Holding Company, a green Wal-Mart and the Roy Lee Walker Elementary School — all in McKinney — in the leading edge for green development.

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