Warehouse planned near Moscow-Pullman Highway
A real estate developer is wanting to build a distribution center near the Moscow-Pullman Highway on the east end of Pullman.
Ambrose Property Group, an Indiana-based company, is moving along with its plans for “Project Cougar.” The business has completed steps necessary to build a nearly 29,000-square-foot warehouse on Airport Road located behind Floyd’s Cannabis Company.
Whitman County Planner Alan Thomson said the business was granted a conditional use permit during the Board of Adjustment’s meeting held July 25. He said Ambrose and its North Carolina engineering consultant, Kimley-Horn, also completed a Washington State Environmental Policy Act checklist and other studies required by the state.
Thomson said not much stands in the way of the project other than an appeal period that ends Aug. 21. Any oppositions to the Board of Adjustment’s decision approving the company’s permit would be submitted to Whitman County Superior Court.
“Their application is compliant with code,” Thomson said, “Once that appeal period has ended, then they’re good to go.”
It’s been stipulated by the community that the distribution center will be occupied by Amazon, Thomson said. According to Ambrose’s website, it has built several distribution centers across the country for the online retail giant.
However, Thomson said the company hasn’t verified this and its application doesn’t include any reference to the store. Ambrose staff were unable to provide confirmation to Moscow-Pullman Daily News staff.
Whitman County Commissioner Art Swannack said he’s heard rumors that Ambrose has worked for Amazon and contracts for them, but he hasn’t been provided any information on whether the local project includes the corporation.
Documents provided by the Whitman County Planning Division say the proposal calls for construction of a 28,560-square-foot facility on around 14 acres of land. The building would be 35 feet tall and include a 13,500-square-foot steel canopy.
The documents state the warehouse would be used to store, assemble and distribute products, materials, food, grocery and liquor items. The facility is expected to create about 200 jobs and is planned to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A private drive off Airport Road would be constructed to access the warehouse, according to the documents. A private well would be drilled to provide water access to the facility.
Ambrose and Kimley-Horn conducted a traffic and noise study, which the documents state will not have adverse effects on properties adjacent to the facility. It was determined the road system can handle an increased amount of traffic generated by the distribution center.
Ambrose anticipates construction of the facility, if started in this fall, would be completed by the spring of 2025, according to the documents.
Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com.
