Challenge

• CBRE was asked to assist National Retail Systems, Inc.. (NRS)(http://www.nrsonline.com/) in locating, developing, and purchasing a custom build-to-suit (BTS) transload facility to provide 24/7/365 service to its customers throughout the Southeast.

Solution

• Savannah, GA, the fastest growing Port in North America, was selected as the location of the customized facility.
• Northpoint, a major developer in Savannah, was chosen to develop the state-of-the-art Transload Facility on 114 Acres, including 19.4 additional acres for future building expansion (approx. 250,000SF) OR trailer parking.
• A strategic traffic study was conducted using sophisticated technology to help determine the best location for the facility. The final facility location will be 3.5 miles from the main gate of the Georgia Port Authority (Garden City Port).

Building Specifications

• 138,040 SF total located on Dean Forest Drive, just south of Old Louisville Road
• Warehouse:1184’ long x 85’ deep cross-dock plus a 30,000 SF space for processing, sub-assembly and holding area for special projects
• 170 Truck doors (all with 30,000 lb. levelers) and 5 drive-in doors
• 522 Trailer Parking Spaces and 156 employee parking spaces on a specially-reinforced asphalt (click here to view site plan)
• Minimum traffic exposure (click here for traffic count aeriel) as well as an extra long, multi-lane truck queuing for access in and out of the facility
• Completely secured site with gated access, guard booth, and enhanced outdoor and indoor lighting
• Full Service Tractor Maintenance Shop on-site
• ESFR Sprinkler System

Benefits

• NRS customers have already “filled” the facility but since the building won’t deliver until October 2007, NRS is in the process of securing a temporary warehouse facility (100,000SF) in order to begin operations immediately.
• The new TRANSLOAD facility will process 60,000 TEU’s per year which will grow GPA’s annual container volume by 3% per year.
• CBRE was asked to facilitate various types of services for the client which included: Site Selection, Transaction Management, Labor/Incentive Negotiation, and General Contractor Selection.

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