With approval of a property sale by Portland Port Commissioners, FedEx Ground Package Systems, Inc. is one step closer to becoming the first company to secure a site in the new Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park. The company has expressed interest in nearly 78-acres in the first phase of development of the former aluminum plant site. The Port and FedEx Ground will continue to work on final details and hope to soon have a definitive purchase and sale agreement.

'We are thrilled about FedEx Ground's interest in the Port's new Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park,' said Joe Mollusky, Real Estate Program Manager for the Port of Portland. 'Companies will benefit from the location and transportation advantages that the industrial park and region has to offer.'

FedEx Ground has indicated interest in constructing and operating a new regional freight distribution hub in the northwest. The sale is still contingent upon approval of the new industrial subdivision by the City of Troutdale, and Phase 1 development of the industrial park is necessary to allow construction and operation of any new facilities.

It was less than a month ago that the Port closed on the purchase of the 700-acre former Reynolds Metals Company aluminum plant site. Acquiring the property was a key milestone toward converting the idle Brownfield and Superfund Site to productive use and making over 350 acres available for new industrial development and job creation. It marked the largest purchase of land by the Port since the acquisition of West Hayden Island in 1994.

In December, Port Commissioners approved a qualifications and price-based proposal process to select a contractor for construction of public infrastructure needed for Phase 1 development of the Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park. Planned improvements include a new street called Swigert Way with utilities, upgrades to Sundial Road including a traffic signal at Marine Drive, and a new recreational trail located along the levee on the property.