Ten years ago, when Peter D’Artista and partner, John Peed bought Aldridge Toyota from Aldridge family patriarch, Lewie Aldridge, Sr., the entrepreneurs had no idea their efforts would set the bar in the area of ecologically friendly businesses. However, when the new Toyota of Southern Maryland opens at its new location on Three Notch Road in California, that’s exactly what they will do.

Set to open around May 12, passers-by might have noticed the on-going construction at the new Toyota dealership. States D’Artista at the ground breaking speech to the media, “Given Toyota’s concern for the environment, it’s not surprising that the building will be built with energy efficiency in mind. Most of the building will be heated with waste oil from oil changes. The car wash will recycle water, reducing the water usage of an average car wash from 50 gallons to 7. High efficiency e-glass will be used in all exterior glass to reduce air conditioning costs in summer, and skylights and light ports will be used throughout to provide free, natural light.”

The reality is that the new building and dealership is not only a state-of-the art environmentally friendly facility, but customer friendly as well. There will be free wireless internet for customers, flat screen TVs, a child’s play area, covered service drive, a café, and over 600 parking spaces. The facility will feature services such as quick oil changes, free car washes and more.

But the energy efficiencies and environmentally friendly attention to detail is what will set the dealership apart from most of its competitors in the area. Listed by Toyota of Southern Maryland as “Friendly Technologies” the building include the following: Waste oil heat over 50% of the facility, double block walls for better insulation, high quality insulation under a rubber roof, sky lights and light tubes for natural light, high efficiency roof-mounted A/C units, showroom shades, and earthen retaining walls and indigenous flora that requires less water for survival.

For more information stay tuned to TheBayNet.com and be sure to check out the new facility when it opens in May.