PERTH AMBOY – Mayor Wilda Diaz and the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency (PARA) launched Phase 1 of the ePort Logistics Center, a 1.2 million square foot distribution campus, at a groundbreaking ceremony held on 6/26/13 at 2:00 p.m.
The project, located on High Street at the Outerbridge Crossing, is being developed by Viridian Partners, a Brownfield Development Company, in partnership with Goldman Sachs. The project represents one of a number of coalitions in which Perth Amboy has promoted the redevelopment of under utilized land with the objective of creating quality local jobs and improving the landscape of this historic community. In addition, Viridian Partners will be donating an acre of property value to the City to be used for open space and recreation.
“Perth Amboy is a proactive redevelopment community. The supportive administration and superior location made this acquisition an attractive investment for Viridian. We’ve clearly been welcomed as a new corporate citizen and made to feel at very much at home. ” said Tate Goss, President of Viridian Partners.
According to Viridian Partners, Perth Amboy is ideally situated for the growing port industry as the 2014 expansion of the Panama Canal will progressively lessen demand for inland regional distribution centers and proportionately increase demand in Port Market.
The site in Redevelopment Area 3 features approximately 1,700 linear feet of shoreline, rail access and a deep-water port on the Arthur Kill, a major shipping route within the Port of New York and New Jersey, the East’s largest port. It’s centrally located among the 10 eastern states, ranging from Maine to North Carolina, that have formed an Offshore Wind Energy Consortium to promote the development of offshore wind energy generation.
While the majority of the site was never developed, it was partially occupied for industrial and commercial use by National Lead and as a result is environmentally challenged. Viridian’s approximate $90 million investment will begin Phase 1 with its nearly 18-month remediation process. Phase 2 will include the construction of three buildings for logistical space, such as fabrication and warehouse distribution, office space, and/or light manufacturing.
“This project marks an industrial revival in Perth Amboy. The creation of local job opportunities and the realization of new ratables are the primary goals of establishing a sustainable project that will carry Perth Amboy into a prosperous future. I want to thank Tate Goss and the Viridian team for their investment,” said Mayor Wilda Diaz.
