FedEx Ground plant may lead to surge in development

By Shannon Wells

The Gresham Outlook, Mar 20, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Jim Clark / Gresham Outlook

Construction continues on the new FedEx facility in Troutdale.

With construction ahead of schedule on its 400,000-square-foot ground facility, the FedEx site off Sundial Road is evolving into a hopeful symbol for Troutdale and the economic future of East County.

The project that barely a year ago seemed mired in setbacks – for environmental, financial, political and technical reasons – is now coming into focus as an upcoming hub for employment, commercial activity and spinoff development at the former Alcoa/Reynolds Metals site.

FedEx Project Manager Dean Bonenberger and Ryan Parker of the Port of Portland recently discussed the finer points of the project and its promise with Troutdale Mayor Jim Kight. In the midst of one of the darkest economic times most can remember, Kight said he came away with a strong sense of enthusiasm for the fledgling economic engine.

“I think it’s a real boost in our economy in East County,” he said. “It’s the start of producing an employment center that’s a shift away from the downtown core area. It will provide a lot of local jobs for local people. My understanding is, it’s the largest construction project in all of Multnomah County.”

As discussed by the aforementioned officials, here are some tidbits and figures on the mammoth project:

• Completion of the main building is anticipated for early 2010, with operations likely to get under way by that summer.

• The construction and facility-outfitting budget is more than $130 million.

• 300 acres of developable land will contain five buildings beyond the 441,000-square-foot operations building to accommodate services such as conveyors, truck washing, maintenance and vehicle fueling.

• Approximately 765 employees are expected in the first phase of development, including managers, shift workers and drivers.

• Around 538 shift workers will include handlers, clerks, technicians and service managers.

• 199 drivers will be required in phase 1.

• Payroll for the first year is estimated at $24 million and projected to grow to $57 million by year five.

Like other shipping companies, the company is known for a seasonally based combination of full-time, part-time and full-time contract employees. Bonenberger explained this is based on marketplace forces as well as the company’s vehicular arrangement.

“The interesting part is that FedEx does not own their trucks for long-distance hauling,” he said, noting they are owned by private contractors. “They are independent and control individual routes and territories.”

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