Downtown Toyota/Lexus Inc., of Spokane, says it plans to remodel and more than double the size of its Toyota facility as part of a systemwide Toyota Motor Corp. dealership renovation program.


The majority of the work involves extending and remodeling a one-story, 20,000-square-foot building located at 1208 W. Third that houses the dealerships Toyota new-car showroom, says David Coombs, president and owner of Downtown Toyota. The work will include adding another floor to that structure and building a one- to two-level parking garage next to it, which would add a total of about 24,000 square feet of space to the facility, Coombs says.


Exterior remodeling work also is planned for the dealerships one-story, 20,000-square-foot service building located just behind the main building, which is at the intersection of West Second Avenue and Adams Street, he says.


The project is expected to start next spring and be completed within a year. San Francisco-based Gensler Architects and Garco Construction Inc., of Spokane, are doing the design-build work. Coombs did not have a final cost estimate to release.


As a part of what it calls its Image USA II program, Toyota recommends that dealers provide a childrens play area in the showroom, wireless high-speed Internet access, a car wash, and a fireplace and coffee bar in the service area for customers. The automaker plans to switch all of its U.S. dealerships to the new design scheme, Coombs says.