Kentucky Transpark Breaks Ground for Speculative Building

Rick Wilson, chairman of the Intermodal Transportation Authority Board of Directors, gave remarks at today's Transpark Speculative Building groundbreaking. Also speaking at the event were, from left, CEO of Scott, Murphy, & Daniel, LLP Mike Murphy; Warren County Judge Executive Michael Buchanon; Chamber Chairman Todd Davis; Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker; and Bowling Green Area Economic Development Authority Chairman Doug Gorman.

BOWLING GREEN, KY-Officials from Warren County and the City of Bowling Green, along with members of the board of directors for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, the Bowling Green Area Economic Development Authority (BGAEDA) and the Intermodal Transportation Authority (ITA), celebrated the groundbreaking of the Kentucky Transpark speculative building today during a ceremony attended by more than 50 people.

A state-of-the-art addition to the Transpark, the speculative building-a pre-engineered steel structure with steel-insulated panels-will be located on 10 acres of land next to Cannon Automotive Solutions, Inc., at the corner of Jody Richards Drive and Commonwealth Boulevard. The building is meant to provide an example of what can be built at the Transpark, and it can be leased or sold to prospective Transpark tenants for their own purposes.

"Over half of the attraction clients with whom we come into contact are seeking existing buildings," explained James N. Hizer, CEcD, president of the ITA and BGAEDA, as well as president and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. "The spec building can be easily customized to meet a tenant's specific needs."

Hizer continued, "A building such as this will elevate our competitiveness in bringing more high-paying jobs to the Transpark. The communities that we compete with for projects on a regular basis have spec buildings like the one we are constructing. By having such a building at the Transpark, we're leveling the playing field and giving companies one more reason to locate at this impressive business park."

The heavy-industrial-zoned building will meet all standards of the American Institute of Steel Construction. The building's floor area is 72,000 square feet, with an expandable area of an additional 45,000 square feet. Its dimensions are 300 feet by 240 feet. Additional specifications of the building include:

• Building eaves: 38 feet high
• Roof: steel-standing, seam-insulated panels
• Concrete foundation
• Floor: concrete slab over 4" dense grade aggregate
• Two rows of columns; columns spaced at 40 feet by 100 feet
• Cross dock capable; 12 docks planned for east & west elevations
• Basic water, sewer and electrical installed for completion to tenant specifications
• Gas available on site
• Fiber optic communications available on site

The building architect is Ken Lasley, AIA; the building contractor for the project is Scott, Murphy & Daniel, LLP; the site contractor is Stewart-Richey Construction, Inc.; and the site engineer is DDS Engineering, PLLC. The City-County Planning Commission of Warren County approved the detailed development plan for the project.

"The BGAEDA is pleased to be a part of today's groundbreaking for the Transpark spec building. The Transpark is already a very attractive business park for prospective tenants, and the spec building only enhances its appeal," said BGAEDA Board of Directors Chairman Doug Gorman. "This will be yet another reason for us to promote the Transpark as it contributes an enormous value to our first-class business park."

For more information about the speculative building and the Transpark, contact Vice President of Property Development and Public Policy R. Marc Elliott, CEcD, AICP at 270-781-2016 or marc@bgchamber.com.

About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce was named the American Chamber of Commerce Executives' 2009 Chamber of the Year as it serves as the idriving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. One of only 336 chambers nationwide to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.