Certified environmentally friendly car wash to open next summer

Eric and Taryn Rosenkranz were in Australia several years ago and couldn't help but notice the importance placed on conserving water in a land where droughts are commonplace.

Even the local car washes were advertising their ability to save water. This struck a chord in the Washington resi-dents and approximately four years ago, they decided to invest into an environmentally friendly car wash busi-ness.

After biding their time and cutting their projected costs during the recent economic slump, their project is close to fruition. On Wednesday, the couple held a groundbreaking ceremony for The Smart Car Wash, to be located next to Dak's Grill off Minnieville Road in Dale City.

The Smart Car Wash is scheduled to be completed by next summer. When it opens, it will be Virginia's first LEEDs-certified car wash and the second LEEDs-certified structure to be built in the eastern half of the county. LEEDs stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a building rating and certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Earlier this year, the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department opened an environmentally friendly fire house off Dale Boulevard to replace an aging structure down the street.

"We knew we wanted the continuation of LEEDs certification in the county and that's the way we want to go," Prince William County Supervisor John D. Jenkins, Neabsco-D said at the groundbreaking.

The $3 million project -- financed through a U.S. Small Business Administration loan -- will be environmentally friendly from the ground up and according to the Rosenkranzs, will be able to offer competitive prices. The 8,600-square foot structure will be built from local and recycled materials, a standard for LEEDs certification, and will be constructed by local contractor Mike Garcia Construction.

It will have the ability to save nearly 90 percent of the water used during a car wash through the collection of rain water and other technology. According to Eric Rosenkranz, the best most businesses can do is to save 40 gallons -- or approximately half -- of the water required for a car wash.

The creation of the car wash will also lead to approximately 15 new jobs for the county.

"If The Smart Car Wash delivers what it promises, Woodbridge consumers will get green and good value at the same time," Jenkins said.

Supervisor Michael C. May, R-Occoquan, who was also on hand at the groundbreaking, pointed out that his district is literally across the street from the car wash and is sure many of his constituents will take advantage of the new business.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.