WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH — Freeport West has broken ground on a 2.3 million-square-foot industrial storage, warehousing and distribution development in West Valley City, about 10 miles southwest of Salt Lake City. The 130-acre project, made possible through a public-private partnership, has been named ARA.
“The origin of the name ARA means ‘brings rain,’” says Bradley Ross, Freeport’s executive managing director. “It describes the remarkable opportunity the property affords for attracting the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors to our state and creating thousands of new jobs locally.”
The initial structures will total 500,000 square feet and are slate for completion in winter 2015. They will be located at 6755 West and the 2100 South Frontage Road, just off Utah State Route 201 and west of Rocky Mountain Raceway.
“With this new industrial campus enterprise, we are adding capacity for new large-scale storage, warehousing, distribution, office and showroom space within the Wasatch Front, where it has been tapped out,” Ross continues.
The remainder of the campus is scheduled for completion by 2019, though development will depend on tenant occupancy and market conditions, according to Freeport West. The project should create about 3,000 new jobs for the region.
Hilton Williams Architects is designing the project.
“Having ARA within our city limits exactly fits our vision of bringing investment, economic progress, job growth and energy to Utah’s second largest city,” says West Valley City Mayor Ron Bigelow. “West Valley City has undergone a successful redevelopment initiative over the past few years, and this latest investment will significantly enhance these efforts, while also bringing significant recognition and dividends to the entire state.”
Thursday’s groundbreaking included Utah Governor Gary Herbert; State House of Representatives Majority Leader Brad Dee (R); State Senator Howard Stephenson (R); Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams; and West Valley City Manager and CEO Wayne Pyle, in addition to Freeport executives.
Freeport West currently owns and manages 40 buildings in Salt Lake City and Clearfield, Utah. The Salt Lake City-based commercial developer is Utah’s largest industrial property company, with more than 10 million square feet of space under ownership or management within the state. Freeport West also maintains commercial properties in Arizona, California and Nevada.
— Nellie Day