Sysco Unit Takes 144,000-SF Redevelopment

CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA-Fresh Point of Southern California, a wholly owned subsidiary of publicly held Sysco Corp., has opened a new distribution center in a once-obsolete factory that Voit Development Co. turned into a build-to-suit distribution and office center for Fresh Point. The new Fresh Point facility, at 155 N. Orange Ave., represents a relocation and expansion from Irwindale for the firm, which is the largest food service distributor of fresh produce in the US.

According to James V. Camp, senior vice president of Voit Development Co., turning the obsolete factory at the 12.6-acre site into a modern warehouse facility involved the reconfiguration and expansion of an existing 111,000-sf building on Long Avenue and Nelson Avenue. Voit added square footage to the warehouse and created a second floor of improved mezzanine space for Fresh Point's corporate offices.

Before the Fresh Point build-to-suit, the Industry Urban-Redevelopment Agency had possession of the obsolete factory. After tackling environmental issues at the property, the agency worked with Camp and Mark Latimer of CB Richard Ellis to find the right user for the property, according to Kevin Radecki, executive director of the Industry Urban-Redevelopment Agency.

Converting the property from an abandoned factory into the new distribution and office facility "is a tremendous revitalization" for the City of Industry, observes David Perez, mayor of Industry. Perez says that the city is hoping to see similar projects to continue the revival of the older industrial areas of the city.

According to Camp and Verne Lusby, president of Fresh Point of Southern California, the location of the new facility was a key factor in the decision by Fresh Point to move its distribution operations into the building. He points out that the City of Industry site provides easy access to the Pomona (60) Freeway and Interstate 605.