LOGAN – Amazon is taking over the lease for a huge distribution center here that was left vacant in late March when Kimberly–Clark left for an even larger facility in Pennsylvania.

An Amazon “sortation” operation will set up in the nearly 600,000-square-foot facility, located at 1150 Commerce Boulevard in the Logistics Center of Logan Industrial Park. That sortation operation could start as early as October 2021, according to the site owner.

The Planning Board unanimously approved the site plan on May 13 after about an hour of testimony. The plan was submitted by the property owner, real estate investment firm BentnallGreenOak.

An Amazon spokeswoman, contacted later, would not comment on whether other sortation sites will be rolled into this one.

Maura Kennedy, the economic development manager for Amazon’s Mid-Atlantic Region, was among witnesses at the board hearing. The hearing was conducted online due to COVID–19 regulations.

Kennedy testified products from vendors will arrive at the site for sorting and consolidation, and be reshipped the same day to customers.

“And then, we put them from there into our fulfillment network, for them to be then transported to customers,” Kennedy said. “So, this is only a place where we sort items from vendors. So, say if you purchase something from a third-party seller, this is where sellers would drop off those goods so they can be sorted and then be put into our fulfillment network stream.”

There will be four shifts, seven days a week, and about 120 tractor–trailers per day will arrive at the building, she said.

Kennedy said the maximum number of workers should be fewer than 300 on a typical day, including fewer than 50 full-time employees. Employees will have fixed schedules and shifts, unlike the variable work times for Amazon delivery drivers.

Representatives for the owner testified a parking expansion study was started once it learned in early 2020 that Kimberly–Clark would leave. A representative said Kimberly-Clark, known for brands such as Kleenex and Scott, had used it as a fulfillment center.

The final plan submitted to the township comes out of discussions with Amazon, Vice President Chad Attiliis said.

“We intend to shift 126 existing parking spaces from the West to the East on site and then add an additional 322 auto stalls for a total of 448 auto stalls,” Attiliis said. “And then, add an additional 16 new motorcycle spaces, which will adequately serve Amazon at this location.”

Attorney Michael Floyd, representing the owner, stressed the building itself is not being expanded. The building first was used in 2009, under a different owner. BentnallGreenOak bought the property in 2012.

Board members voting to approve the plan were Chairman Bob Lowe, Juan Mojica, Mayor Frank Minor, Bruce Atkinson, Arthur Stone, Cynthia Mitchell, and Dave Siek.

*Article courtesy of Courier Post

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