Troutdale gives FedEx USA approval to build distribution center at former Alcoa site

The city of Troutdale gave final approval Thursday to FedEx Ground to build its Northwest distribution hub on 77 acres of the former Alcoa-Reynolds Metals site, north of the Troutdale airport.
The new facility is part of FedEx’s USD 1.8 billion national expansion plan. The company plans to relocate its current Swan Island facility to the new hub, which will be about seven times larger. It will feature a fuel island, trailer garage and other structures totaling about 570,800 square feet in the initial phase.
FedEx will buy the Troutdale site from the Port of Portland, which is finalizing its purchase of the property from Alcoa Inc.
While city officials tout high-wage jobs, future tax revenue and the positive economic impact the company will bring to east Multnomah county, the hub will also increase traffic and air pollution, provide mostly part-time and contractor jobs, and could cost the city up to USD 6 million in lost income, due to tax breaks under a recently approved enterprise zone at the site.
The biggest challenge will be traffic. About 200 semitrailer and pickup and delivery van drivers will work at the new facility in the first phase of development, according to documents filed with the city. A transportation impact analysis prepared for the Port of Portland indicates that, at its peak hour, the facility will generate 423 arrivals and departures.
As a condition of approval, Troutdale asked FedEx to make several road improvements in the area, including construction of a traffic signal at the intersection of Marine Drive and Sundial Road. But the city did not impose conditions that would apply to the already clogged Interstate 84 Exit 17.