Robert W. Rice, Seefried's regional vice president in Texas,says the land's been under contract since April. Although he can'tpinpoint the ground-breaking date, he does confirm for GlobeSt.comthat Lancaster officials are reviewing final plans, which couldbring a project start in the near term and delivery insecond-quarter 2008 for I-35 Interchange I. "The City of Lancasterhas been very good to work with," he adds.

The JV has bought the land from the Irving Klein Trust ofLancaster, getting a development site with Interstate 35 visibilityand access and about a half-mile south of Interstate 20. Rice saysthe site's chief selling point is the direct freewayaccess--without passing any traffic signals. "It has great highwayexposure. There's direct on and off access to get in and out of ourproject," he stresses, citing 1,200 feet of frontage on the serviceroad leading to I-20 and the coveted straight shot onto I-35.

The JV's I-35 Interchange I is a cross-dock design with 196 dockdoors and 32-foot clear heights. And, Rice quickly adds, it hasdeep truck courts that can be secured on both sides, which is a keydeal point for today's breed of logistics providers. Thepre-construction quote is $3.25 per sf, net.