Toyota of Bastrop has closed the deal on a new car lot and is ready to begin renovations.

“We closed on the property the first week of August. It was a long process with lots of historical issues” Toyota spokesperson James Russell said. “We are not tearing down the building. We are going to remodel it and keep the history. This will take about six months.”

Toyota of Bastrop has been located at 2330 East Madison Ave. Since November of 2007, Toyota has tried to work out an agreement to purchase the former Aeneas Williams Toyota at 2329 East Madison Ave. The first week of August was rewarding for Toyota as they closed the deal on that property. Now Toyota of Bastrop owns both lots and will work off of the northern and southern lot to provide for the “perfect kind of community,” Russell said.

The northern lot, formerly Aeneas, will feature a remodeled building.

“We are hoping to build a 45,000 square foot facility that is green with a 14 by 20 foot video board in front to promote the local community and show Toyota products,” Russell said.

The company plans on applying to the state for a LEED, or the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certification to make sure the area is green. LEED encourages growth of the global adoption of sustainable green buildings and development through accepted tools and performance criteria.

In fact, Toyota has already “went out and purchased 20” 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrids. Russell said this is unusual for dealerships. Most car lots only have one or two hybrids.

“The Prius gets about 50 miles per gallon,” Russell said. “We think they’ll sell well because everyone here travels to work or to see family.”

Even with 20 new hybrids on the lot, Toyota is not done. They want to stock the newly purchased lot with over 240 new vehicles and 100 pre-owned used vehicles in the original lot.

“There has been a lot of thought put into it,” Russell said. “We plan on being an asset to the community.”

New vehicles on a new lot with a remodeled green facility is not all Toyota is doing. With the new facility comes new places to work on vehicles.

“We are a full service dealership,” Russell said. “Any car you have we’ll fix not just Toyota and give the best deal on anything.”

Toyota has master mechanics trained to work with different brands of vehicles and will have a new car wash for vehicles after they are serviced. Both lots will have service areas.

With all of these new features, Toyota will have the opportunity to provide more jobs for the community.

“In two years, we should go on to staff around 30 to 40 people,” Russell said. “Currently, we are at 15. We are trying to give people a chance to work. We have a couple now from a correctional facility.”

Toyota plans on staying open later to help the community out also. Russell said people seem to stop by after 4 p.m. and plans on staying open until 7 p.m.

Within six months, the new Toyota facilities should be up and running. Until then, employees will work from the southern lot.

“We can’t tell you how happy we are,” Russell said.