Preferred Freezer Services Project Creates Over 300 Jobs in San Leandro

Provided by the City of San Leandro

Mayor Stephen Cassidy and the San Leandro City Council are pleased to announce that a major new business investment is moving forward in San Leandro. Preferred Freezer Services has begun construction of a state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled warehouse at the 15-acre former Hudson Lumber site, accessed from San Leandro Boulevard. 

The facility will be used primarily for the cold storage of fruits, nuts, meats, and other food products designated for export or import. Administrative offices as well as shipping and receiving facilities also are incorporated into the 247,000 square-foot design.

During construction, over 300 jobs will be created, including those for the general contractor, subcontractors, architects, engineers, and consultants.  When the facility opens in June 2014, it will provide at least 50 high-quality, salaried jobs, with that figure expected to increase up to 100 salaried positions once fully staffed. This large-scale project also will bring ongoing property tax revenue to the City, as well as $1.2 million in one-time permit and other fees, $48,000 in one-time property transfer fees and approximately $43,000 in annual utility-user taxes.

"Many exciting changes are taking place here in San Leandro," stated Mayor Cassidy. "As the local economy continues to improve, companies like Preferred Freezer Services are recognizing the extensive benefits that can be achieved by coming to San Leandro. The City is making every effort to facilitate such new business development, including offering a one-year business license tax holiday, fast-track permitting, and extensive infrastructure improvements."

With the large building visible from the local Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) route, Preferred Freezer Services agreed to include artwork on the east side of the building facing BART. Preferred Freezer plans to open the design of the artwork to local and regional artists, including students.  Look for more information about the call for art in early 2014.

Progress on construction of the structure may be followed via a work zone webcam, which can be found online at http://preferred.workzonecam.com/preferred and by clicking on the "Time-Lapse Movie" button on the left side of the webpage.  To date, grading and utility work has been completed on site, including the undergrounding of plumbing and electrical lines.  With Preferred Freezer's targeted June, 2014 opening, construction activities will continue at a brisk pace including installation of footings and foundations, and erection of the structural steel and tilt walls.

About Preferred Freezer Services

Preferred Freezer Services is dedicated to designing, constructing and operating state-of-the-art temperature-controlled warehouses throughout the United States and Asia. Preferred Freezer Services has grown from a single facility in 1989 to 35 locations, and continues to grow.  Facilities can be found in New York/New Jersey, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, as well as global locations in Vietnam and China.