Jun 17, 2011 9:45 AM

After planning a new facility for the past eight years, Michael and Denise Rudnick, owners of Thermo King of Long Island, have made that dream a reality. Located in Farmingdale NY, the new Thermo King of Long Island sales, service, and parts dealership demonstrates their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Constructed with all recycled materials, this dealership includes features such as automatic lights and faucets, as well as self-flushing toilets. The dealership is aiming for LEED (Leadership on Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

The 12,500-square-foot building sits on about two acres of land five miles from the Long Island Expressway off Exit 49, and offers ample parking space upon arrival. Thirty trucks can easily park comfortably at the dealership. The parking area also offers electric power plug-ins for 20 vehicles.

Inside, the service shop features four drive-through bays with room for eight trucks. A spacious drivers lounge provides television and Internet access on a community computer.

The Rudnicks celebrated the opening of this dealership with an open house April 29 that attracted more than 175 visitors. Guests enjoyed facility tours, product displays, and New York-style sausage—appropriately served from a sausage truck.

LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the USGBC in 2000. It provides building owners and operators a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance systems. More information can be found at www.usgbc.org.