Oakland builds for the future: Seaport Logistics Complex gets underway

A substantial piece of this city’s decommissioned Army Base just got new life.  Port of Oakland Commissioners recently gave final OK to a plan that re-invents the site as a Seaport Logistics Complex. 

Port officials called it “a game-changer” for global trade and transportation.

“There’s not anything like it on the U.S. West Coast,” said John Driscoll, the port’s Maritime Director.  “This Complex will make it faster and cheaper to import and export containerized goods internationally than ever before.”

The plan calls for Oak Brook, IL-based CenterPoint Properties to build a 440,000-square foot distribution center adjacent to the Port’s $100 million rail yard. 

It will be located across the street from marine terminals where container ships berth in Oakland.  The new building and railyard are part of a plan to develop a 180-acre logistics campus on port land. CenterPoint said work could begin in the first quarter of 2018. 

CenterPoint officials said the project would distinguish Oakland on two counts:

*The distribution center would be the largest warehouse-style building at any U.S. West Coast port.

*It would be one of few nationally where cargo could be transloaded within a port’s footprint for transport by ship, truck or train.  That’s how international shippers can expect to cut transportation costs while reducing shipment time.

 CenterPoint Chief Development Officer Michael Murphy rightly noted that there are very few places in North America where it can develop a logistics facility of this size which will effectively accommodate the efficient movement and delivery of goods that are critical to the economic health of a city and provide meaningful jobs for area residents.

Meanwhile, long-range planning for future developments at the Seaport Logistics Complex is still underway, the port said.