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Airport development setting sights on e-commerce market

Staff //February 11, 2020//

Airport development setting sights on e-commerce market

Staff //February 11, 2020//

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As the Columbia Metropolitan Airport begins plans to develop 500 acres of adjoining and nearby property, airport officials hope to lure more opportunities for logistics and e-commerce.

Airport officials, along with Magnus Development Partners, announced a partnership to build spec and build-to-suit properties near the airport.

Magnus is the master developer for the plan and will work with potential businesses to determine their needs. Some buildings be new construction, while others on the property will be move-in ready, according to Magnus. Larger spaces can be divided, if necessary.

“Generally, when they come to town, they want it yesterday, so it’s good to have product in play at any given time,” said Bill Owen, Magnus founding partner.

Owen said Magnus has in-house construction managers that can work through cost issues for potential tenants who want custom construction so deals can be completed quickly.

Anticipated uses include aviation, industrial, warehouse, flex, commercial or hotel development. Because of the property’s location near interstates 26 and 77, distribution and logistical opportunities are also in play.

Among its class A buildings, Magnus recently completed its fourth spec building within the nearby Lexington County Industrial Park. Owen said the airport sites are ideal locations for companies which need warehouse space for distribution and logistics.

“We’ve been watching it for a long time, and e-commerce is driving a lot of the demand that’s been filling up our buildings,” he said. “We like the airport site and its proximity to FedEx and UPS. That’s all part of the e-commerce synergy, and a lot of the people we have talked to about space in the Lexington County Industrial Park have emphasized how close they want to be to the airport and FedEx and UPS, or both.”

The parcels available for development are spread throughout the airport property. About 50 acres are within the airport fence line and will be used strictly for aviation development, while 200 acres are across Platt Springs Road within the CAE Enterprise Industrial Park.

“We’re doing decent business over there now, so we’re trying to grow that and market some of the remaining sites,” said Frank Murray, airport director of facilities and planning.

Another site is the 17-acre Air Commerce Center, which is a flex office park that is almost fully occupied and features access to the UPS distribution center and Interstate 26.

“Magnus sees that as an excellent location for logistics and distribution,” Murray said.

Since he was promoted to executive director of the airport in 2018, development has been on the top of Michael Gula’s list of priorities. Gula sees potential for growth by providing e-commerce companies with the facilities they need.

“We know e-commerce is not going away anytime soon, so we really want to try to capitalize on that particular property with the close proximity to UPS,” he said.

Gula said the location makes logistical sense for companies such as Amazon, Nephron, Husqvarna and FN Manufacturing, all of which have area presences.

Murray said airport developers will be reaching out to various markets, aiming to sell potential tenants on the concept of a custom facility.

“We’re open for business,” Gula said.

Magnus anticipates the first buildings will be ready for tenants by the end of the year.

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