Cherry Hill Subaru dealership to implement sustainable landscaping in line with the carmaker’s eco-friendly initiatives.
In a significant development for the Cherry Hill area, Subaru has received approval for a new dealership that emphasizes sustainable landscaping practices. The Cherry Hill Township planning board recently endorsed the dealership’s site plan, which will feature eco-friendly elements that distinguish it from typical commercial developments in the region.
The approved landscape design is noteworthy due to its focus on sustainability. Subaru intends to implement a native pollinator garden that will not necessitate a permanent irrigation system, a deviation from the standard requirements imposed on other commercial projects within Cherry Hill. This approach is in line with Subaru’s commitment to environmental stewardship, as articulated by Bernadette Szakal, associate director of real estate and corporate facility services at Subaru. She explained that the landscaping design adheres to a corporate philosophy informed by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a partnership that influenced the landscaping of Subaru’s headquarters in Camden.
The garden will feature drought-resistant plantings that do not include traditional turf, nor will it require fertilizers, regular mowing, or extensive irrigation methods. Initially, the landscaping may receive water from trucks for a limited time post-planting, as detailed by Tom Morris, vice president of public gardens and landscape operations at the Horticultural Society.
The establishment of this dealership marks a return to Cherry Hill for Subaru, which previously hosted its corporate headquarters in the area from 1986 until 2018. The former headquarters building was demolished in 2019 following Subaru’s relocation to a new campus in Camden. The new dealership is situated on a vacant lot, transitioning the location from its past use while adhering to updated flood hazard regulations set forth by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
The dealership will encompass a substantial 67,035 square-foot footprint, which includes a 21,840 square-foot showroom and a 36,350 square-foot service area. Complementing the building will be 658 parking spaces, with 454 dedicated to housing Subaru’s vehicle inventory. Ziad Nashed, the operator of Subaru of Cherry Hill, confirmed that the dealership is set to employ 72 individuals and operate six days a week.
Moreover, the dealership aims to mitigate noise pollution, a common concern in commercial automotive locations. Nashed noted the implementation of a vehicle tracking system that does not rely on horn activation, a strategy designed to minimize disturbances to neighboring communities. With this innovative approach to both landscaping and operational efficiency, Subaru’s new dealership stands poised to set a precedent in environmentally conscious automotive retailing in the region.
As this project progresses, it may serve as a model for future developments that seek to balance commercial interest with community and environmental considerations, reflecting a broader shift towards sustainability in the auto industry.
For more information, stay tuned to updates from Media News Source.
