Parker Toyota, which had been considering a major expansion at its dealership near U.S. 95 and Kathleen Avenue, in Coeur dAlene, says those plans now are on hold.


The dealership was looking at constructing a 70,000-square-foot building, with 40 service stalls, on the 8.5-acre parcel it occupies there, says Chris Leonard, general sales manager. He says its current building has 30,000 square feet of space and 18 service stalls.


Those plans, however, now are on terminal hold due to the uncertainty of the economy, says company President Jim Parker. I would say weve become a little hesitant, Parker says.


While sales are growing at the dealership, the company might decide to drop the project or remodel its current building instead, Parker says. The dealerships architect, Miller Stauffer Architects PA, of Coeur dAlene, recently met with Coeur dAlene city officials and has filed preliminary site plans for the potential project.


Leonard says the dealership has outgrown its current facility. We need to build a bigger facility to better serve our customers. Weve outgrown our customer parking, our service loungeweve outgrown our building, he says.


Parker says, Weve been in here for 15 years, so its a little tight, but its a pretty uncertain economic time.


Leonard says the dealership currently employs 130 people, and likely would hire additional workers in its service department if the expansion were to go ahead.


Doug Parker acquired Coeur dAlene Toyota in 1983, initially going into business with his friend, Wayne Knudtsen. About the time Parker bought out Knudtsen in 1988, his son, Jim, joined the business. In 1991, the business moved from its original location on Government Way to its current location.


Contact Jeanne Gustafson at (509) 344-1264 or via e-mail at jeanneg@spokanejournal.com.