Frito-Lay to open new distribution center

Bob Johnston, senior vice president with Grubb Ellis/1st Commercial announced that Frito-Lay, a wholly owned subsidiary of PepsiCo, has signed a long-term build-to-suit lease agreement for a new 35,000-square-foot distribution facility.

The project will be built at Westbury Park, an 84-acre master-planned commercial development on Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard in Fort Myers. The new facility will serve as the Lee and Collier distribution hub for Frito-Lay's chips and dips. Frito-Lay's current distribution building is located on Metro Parkway.

Westbury Park Developments and Grubb Ellis/1st Commercial will develop the building, which will feature stateof the-art racking and distribution equipment, 30-foot clear height and a 5,000-square-foot office. Westbury Park Developments will own the completed building and has entered into a long-term triple-net lease on the property with Frito-Lay.

Frito-Lay's selection of Westbury Park reflects the site's competitive advantages, including its strategic location, said Roger Sheldrake, developer of Westbury Park. "The new facility will allow goods to be stored, shipped and delivered faster and with greater efficiency."

Construction of the new facility will begin within the next 30 days, with completion expected in February 2009. The development team includes design-build firm Taylor Pansing with Jeff Shinkman as project manager.