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Commissioners at the Port of Oakland have approved a $52 million expansion project they're saying will give Oakland the largest distribution facility on the West Coast.
Port commissioners gave initial approval for a new 440,000-square-foot logistics center for the project at a meeting Thursday night, which they would usher in a new era in shipping.
The agreement allows the port to develop that logistics facility -- on property that was once an Army base. The facility will handle the transfer of cargo between ships, trucks and trains for shipment.
Eventually there are plans to expand the facility to 180 acres, taking up a significant portion of the old Army base and would include new distribution centers-- rail yards-- and marine terminals. The port is promising to hire local workers.
Real estate giant CenterPoint Properties has signed an agreement to develop the property, and this deal culminates 20 months of negotiations between CenterPoint, the Port, and Revive Oakland and Oakland Works, which are coalitions of more than 30 organizations including labor, community and faith partners.
The port commissioners are scheduled to vote on the issue again on Nov. 30. If approved, construction could start as early as the spring of next year.