Contegra believes Metro East market is positioned to adapt
The year kicked off with much optimism in the industrial market. While COVID-19 has created significant challenges, it has not dampened the Metro East’s strengths in that market. Indeed, in some cases, it has amplified those strengths. Think “last mile logistics.” Providers of consumer goods were experiencing robust demand at the beginning of the year. The pandemic energized e-commerce even more as people sheltering at home turned to online shopping.
Edwardsville-based Contegra Construction recently completed two large distribution centers that represent the logistic industry’s ability to meet that “last mile” with swift delivery to consumer doorsteps. Northpoint Development’s 544,000-square-foot Gateway Tradeport in Pontoon Beach is efficiently designed for multiple tenants. Tristar Properties’ 594,000-square-foot bulk storage warehouse at Gateway Commerce Center is likewise well suited for “last mile logistics.” And because product demands change rapidly, these newer facilities have become significant employment centers to rapidly adapt to consumer needs.
Both projects come on the heels of Contegra’s completion of one of the region’s largest industrial projects – the 176-acre campus for World Wide Technology at Gateway Commerce Center. It features two massive warehouses totaling more than two million square feet. Corporations are taking note as evidenced by the debut of a 64,900-square-foot aviation maintenance and office facility serving corporate jets at St. Louis Regional Airport. It is the second project for West Star Aviation completed by Contegra. Contegra has delivered industrial projects from 25,000 square feet to two million square feet. It remains one of the largest industrial builders in the region with much of its work in the Metro East.
The Metro East has all the ingredients to successfully adapt to a changing world, including shortening logistic supply lines and increasing delivery efficiencies, Contegra officials believe. With the help of the St. Louis Regional Freightway, the Metro East has been able to leverage its great assets of good land great infrastructure and workforce. The current pandemic will reshape parts of our economy. The Metro East industrial market is well positioned to adapt to the nation’s needs, Contegra said.
PHOTO: Edwardsville-based Contegra Construction recently completed two large distribution centers that represent the logistic industry’s ability to meet that “last mile” with swift delivery to consumer doorsteps. Northpoint Development’s 544,000-square-foot Gateway Tradeport in Pontoon Beach — shown — is efficiently designed for multiple tenants. Tristar Properties’ 594,000-square-foot bulk storage warehouse at Gateway Commerce Center is likewise well suited for “last mile logistics.”
This story is part of a special section dedicated to the St. Louis Regional Freightway that appears in the May issue of the Illinois Business Journal, which covers the business of Southwestern Illinois. Go to Current Edition archives for the entire section.
