Bob Bridge has turned over the keys to his Toyota Scion dealership to longtime friend, Michael O’Brien.

The sale of Bob Bridge Toyota Scion to O’Brien, owner of a number of high-end dealerships in Washington and Oregon, was announced in December, but the deal was signed this week.

Under O’Brien’s ownership, the dealership will be known as Toyota Scion of Renton. In an interview O’Brien said he names his dealerships after the franchise and the city where they’re located.

O’Brien expects to retain all existing employees while adding more jobs in 2012. The new jobs include 10 to 15 sales positions; within the next 30 days or so, he plans to open a retail used-car lot on Rainier Avenue.

Like Bridge before him, O’Brien says he’ll become involved in the community, especially Renton’s schools.

“Over the past 31 years, Mr. Bridge has built one of the most-respected dealerships in the country and been a great champion for the Renton community,” said O’Brien, owner of O’Brien Auto Group, in a news release. The O’Brien Auto Group is the largest auto dealer in the Northwest.

“We look forward to building on that tradition under the O’Brien brand and are committed to making a positive impact within the Renton community,” he said in a news release announcing the final deal.

Just this week, Bridge and O’Brien each made donations to the Friends of Renton Schools, with Bridge donating $25,000 and O’Brien $25,500, at an informal VIP luncheon Renton High School.

“We are extremely fortunate to have the support of these two men and their companies,” said Friends of Renton Schools Chair Pam Teal. “Mr. Bridge and Mr. O’Brien are two outstanding business people who understand the value of giving back to the community. The money they contributed this week will be put to use in the programs that have a proven track record of directly impacting the achievement of students in the Renton School District.”

The Friends of Renton Schools is holding is annual fundraiser on April 30.

Bridge has said he will dedicate more of his time to philanthropic efforts. O’Brien’s history of community involvement was a key factor in his decision to sell.

“Over 30 of the nation’s most prominent auto retail organizations were interested in buying the dealership,” said Bridge. “With this type of interest I was able to select the best fit for the Renton community. It’s only by coincidence that the best auto retail organization to replace Bob Bridge was in Seattle. That was just amazing.”