By CRAIG FREILICH

POTSDAM – TJ Toyota is adding about 3,500 square feet of interior space, including a new customer lounge, and some more office space.

The exterior of the dealership on the Potsdam-Norwood Road is also getting a makeover, with a new covering.

Ed Cloce of TJ Toyota says the project is part of program by Toyota called Image 2, where all 1,200 Toyota dealers in the U.S. are improving their buildings and grounds.

Working with local architect Brooks Washburn, Cloce says they have designed a second customer lounge and equipping them with wide-screen TVs and accessory display areas.

“We’re proud of how we’re using materials,” Cloce says. He explains that all of the materials for the project, except for one specified by Toyota, are coming from St. Lawrence County suppliers.

They are also putting in drive-up service lanes, where a service writer will meet customers and then park the car for customers, and a patio with seating outdoors for customers.

“It’s all for the convenience of the customers,” Cloce says, “and we can use the extra space. And we’re keeping up with what’s going on the automotive world.”

Danko Construction of Massena is handling the work. The interior work should be done by March 1, and exterior work, including some paving, is expected to be completed by April 1, Cloce says.