Accomplishing Speed-to-Market for Tampa Logistics Center

How Bohler Trimmed Six Months Off Entitlements

Aiming to grow their distribution center portfolio in Tampa, FL, industrial developer NorthPoint Development identified a nearly 20-acre site at the City’s airport.

The site had its complexities as a former landfill, but with Bohler on board, NorthPoint pressed forward, focused on maximizing the site and bringing the Tampa Airport Logistics Center to market more than six months ahead of the typical timeframe.

Working Around Wetlands

Seven acres of wetlands, including 30 small, isolated pockets were spread across the site. This presented several challenges for NorthPoint, including additional permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), density limitations, and the added costs to remove and relocate any wetlands.

Bohler worked closely with a wetlands specialist to extensively evaluate the site. The team then strategized how to maximize the developable area while minimizing wetland impacts. Through the analysis, Bohler helped NorthPoint identify the higher quality areas to avoid and develop around, and the lower quality wetlands, which could be removed to increase development density.

The aggressive strategy enabled Bohler to maximize the size of the two warehouse buildings. The team then guided NorthPoint in permitting the removal of the lower quality wetlands as quickly as possible. This strategy supported the overall plan to expedite entitlements.

Wetlands are rated to determine their quality. Low-quality wetlands are created by non-native species and are less costly to remove than those rated at a higher grade, allowing that portion of the site to be developable.

Designing for a Brownfield

As a former landfill, the brownfield site contained contaminated soils and required special permits through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  Collaborating with NorthPoint’s environmental and geotechnical consultants on permitting efforts, Bohler’s team helped to expedite the timeline.

To contain the contaminated soils and prevent spread across other areas, Bohler worked closely with the other consultants to design the necessary stormwater management infrastructure. Design consisted of a single large stormwater management pond with an impervious liner.

Managing Multiple Municipalities

Located on the edge of Hillsborough County and the City of Tampa, the project was subject to multiple regulatory reviews. With speed-to-market as NorthPoint’s leading driver, the team devised a plan to streamline the necessary land development approvals.

Leaning on prior experience and working relationships in both jurisdictions, Bohler organized several coordination meetings to minimize conflicting comments and expedite reviews. In a process that typically spans a year, Bohler’s team pushed the environmentally complex project forward in merely five months, allowing NorthPoint to swiftly begin construction.

Delivering on Speed-to-Market Goals

Through streamlined collaboration with the entire project team, Bohler was able to navigate multiple challenges to maximize the site for NorthPoint, providing plans for two large logistics centers. By leveraging reviewer relationships, the team expedited the complex project’s review and delivered approvals ahead of schedule, enabling NorthPoint to accomplish their goals.