Mowery, a construction company based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, has been named a 2018 U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Central Pennsylvania Leader Award recipient – receiving the Commercial Project of the Year award for the design-build of a Koch 33 Toyota Dealership located in Easton, Pennsylvania. The annual USGBC Central Pennsylvania Leader Awards honor projects throughout the Central Pennsylvania region that are advancing sustainable building.

“The Koch 33 Toyota Dealership is a great example of collaboration, teamwork and innovation by Mowery, Toyota America and the Koch team,” said David Cross, president of Mowery. “The Mowery team was proud to serve as the design-build contractor for this LEED Certified project, and we’re honored to receive this award.”

The Koch 33 Toyota Dealership was one of the first new Toyota North America Prototype Dealerships developed in Pennsylvania. The 56,765-square-foot dealership includes a showroom, state-of-the-art service area, parts room, training center, waiting lounge and a Starbucks coffee bar.

The project’s extensive planning and design process included innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact, including a heating system that uses recycled auto oil. The heat generated is cycled through a radiant floor system and an exterior snowmelt system under all of the sidewalks and exterior car display areas. This innovative approach resulted in a safer environment for workers and visitors to the facility. In addition, throughout the construction process, the team was able to divert 80 percent of project waste from landfills and performed continuous monitoring to ensure proper Indoor Air Quality.

The Toyota facility has achieved LEED Certification and received Toyota North America’s top award for excellence.

In addition, Toyota has now made a goal for each new dealership to achieve LEED Certification.

“This project will save energy, attract and retain customers, uphold the Toyota brand and help the environment by reducing its ultimate impact on it,” adds Cross. “It’s a space that will not only make a lasting impression on every visitor, but also its community.”

Mowery will receive the Commercial Project of the Year Award at the Forever Green ceremony held on Nov. 1, 2018 by the USGBC Central Pennsylvania for the green building community. The annual awards focus on green schools, historic preservation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable development, LEED and celebrate the best and brightest of Central Pennsylvania's green building industry.