MELDRIM, GA-Reno, NV-based DP Partners has moved forward with two planned industrial projects that, when completed, will bring approximately six million sf to the Savannah area. In the first project, DP signed a sales contract with the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, a move that brings a $200-million, 1,738-acre industrial park called LogistiCenter at Savannah closer to reality.

The company signed a letter of intent in September to acquire the land located eight miles west of the Interstate 16/Interstate 95 interchange and 15 miles west of the Port of Savannah. The land straddles Interstate 16 east of Old River Road, which is northwest of Savannah and approximately 12 miles west of the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

DP will acquire land in phases of approximately 300 developable acres each and, over a projected five- to seven-year built-out period, develop five million sf. There will be eight facilities ranging in size from 16,500 to 1.5 million sf.

As soon as plans are in place for the infrastructure and road improvements, DP will begin construction on its first speculative project in the southern tract, a 400,000-sf distribution center with expansion capabilities. "We are planning to break ground during the first quarter of 2008," says DP Partners manager of the southeast region Jeremy Merklinger.

In the meantime, the company broke ground Thursday on two speculative distribution centers totaling just more than one million sf in the company's new business park, LogistiPort at Savannah in Pooler. The 72-acre industrial park is located on the west side of Dean Forest Road (Georgia Route 307) bordering the Savannah & Ogeechee Canal, less than one mile north of Interstate 16. Both buildings are scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2008.

Building A is a 689,400-sf cross-docked distribution center on 35 acres at 100 Clyde Alexander Lane. Building B is a 347,280-sf cross-docked distribution center on 35 acres at 101 Clyde Alexander Lane.