Darland completed the Baxter Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram-Fiat near Highway 370 and Interstate 80. The more than 59,000-square-foot building features a 25,000-square-foot showroom, service center, car wash, 4,500-square-foot parts mezzanine and customer lounge with kids play area.

The new space replaces a nearby dealership Baxter had long outgrown. “It was time—the previous dealership was built for Chrysler-Plymouth,” said Baxter Capital and Risk Manager Tom Kroll. Having the new building has allowed Baxter to expand its commercial service department and create a space that accommodates all five brands under one roof. 

Exterior finishes include Alpolic metal wall panels, curtain wall, precast panels and more than 10 acres of paving. The dealership also boasts one of the area’s first hail net systems. The 135,000-square-foot net protects inventory from hail, heat and UV rays. The nets will help protect a large portion of the inventory and ultimately reduce insurance premiums for the dealership.

When an unprecedented flood hit early on in the project, it caused a significant material delay. “Our precast manufacturer was literally underwater,” said Project Manager John Maderak. Darland worked with Baxter and the manufacturer to get the product on site as quickly as possible to minimize the delay. 

Darland simultaneously managed construction on the adjacent Baxter Ford dealership, making clear, regular communication a top priority. “John went out of his way to make sure we understood everything that was going on,” Kroll said. “I have zero complaints.” 

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