UPS buys Atlanta property for distribution centre

IN A COMMITMENT TO BOTH ITS CUSTOMERS AND THE COMMUNITY, UPS
(NYSE:UPS) HAS ACQUIRED A 30-ACRE TRACT NEAR DOWNTOWN ATLANTA FOR
EVENTUAL DEVELOPMENT AS A NEW PACKAGE DISTRIBUTION CENTER.
THE TRACT, LOCATED WITHIN BOTH THE FEDERALLY DESIGNATED ATLANTA
EMPOWERMENT ZONE AND THE STATE-DESIGNATED ATLANTA URBAN ENTERPRISE
ZONE, SITS ACROSS THE I-75/85 CONNECTOR AND JUST SOUTH FROM TURNER
FIELD ON UNIVERSITY AVENUE. UPS’s decision to acquire the site allows
the company to prepare for future business growth and to enhance
customer service while simultaneously providing a major commitment to
the redevelopment of this inner city area.
The Atlanta Empowerment Zone was one of the first six such zones
to be designated in the United States by then President Bill Clinton
in late 1994. The Zone encompasses 30 poor neighborhoods that ring the
city’s central business district, including the U.S. Census tracts
with the highest poverty indexes.
UPS has not finalized its plans for the site, but expects to
operate a modern package distribution center that would utilize at
least 100 delivery vehicles and employ at least 300 people. While most
drivers operating from the new center would be current employees, the
project could create more than 200 part-time positions.
UPS is recognized for providing one of the best part-time jobs in
America, complete with full health, medical, pension and vacation
benefits, and the company emphasizes promotion from within to
full-time positions. UPS also offers a variety of educational
assistance programs and already is America’s leading company in moving
individuals off the welfare rolls, having hired almost 40,000 people
through its Welfare to Work initiative.
UPS has been analyzing various real estate sites in and around
downtown Atlanta for more than a year. THE CONTINUING GROWTH OF THE
SOUTH’S MOST IMPORTANT BUSINESS HUB, BOTH DOWNTOWN AND IN ADJACENT
AREAS, ACCELERATED UPS PLANNING TO EXPAND ITS PACKAGE-HANDLING
CAPABILITIES. LOCATING A NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN
ATLANTA AND TO HARTSFIELD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL ENSURE THE
HIGHEST LEVELS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE, INCLUDING EARLY DELIVERY TIMES AND
LATER PICK-UP OPTIONS.
UPS identified several sites that were available for a new center,
but working with the city and Fulton County government selected the
University Avenue tract to demonstrate its commitment to Atlanta’s
revitalization.
Having now purchased the land, UPS will begin reviewing
construction options for the site and mapping timelines. In the coming
months, when those decisions are reached, company and city officials
will make additional announcements of company plans.
Job applications for the new center are not being accepted at this
point. ­
UPS moved its world headquarters to Atlanta in late 1991 and today
employs about 13,000 people in the metro area. UPS is the world’s
largest express carrier and largest package delivery company, serving
more than 200 countries and territories around the world and employing
about 359,000 people. The company is located on the Web at
www.ups.com. –30–lk/at* CONTACT: UPS, Atlanta
Norman Black, 404/828-7593
Bridgenews Global