Aug 20, 2008 6:50 pm US/Eastern
Refrigerated Storage Center Opening Near Port
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
Think of it as the biggest refrigerator in Baltimore.
As Alex DeMetrick reports, it's a $25 million investment to keep the world's foods cold, until they make it to your table.
General Motors used to stand on an empty expanse of West Baltimore. Because it backs right up to the Port of Baltimore's Seagirt Marine Terminal, it is some of the most important land on the East Coast.
"We're a very mature and built up area, and finding hundreds of acres adjacent to the marine terminal is a very precious asset," said Kathleen Broadwater, Dep. Executive with the Port of Baltimore.
Here's why. Of all those containers being taken off ships, twenty percent are refrigerated. That's cargo that often bypasses Baltimore.
"Much of that cargo is moving into Baltimore and then moving up the coast because our warehouses in Baltimore do not currently have space. Some of the ships are not even calling on Baltimore because they're calling on Norfolk instead," said Harry Halpert, president of Merchants Terminal Corp.
That brought gold shovels and a small pavilion to a dusty lot. It's soon to be the city's biggest refrigerated distribution center.
"We will go from two million cubic feet of storage space to six million cubic feet," said Halpert.
It also means trucks will travel shorter distances to fill grocery stores. That reduces fuel costs, which could mean lower prices at the check-out line.
The first phase of the new storage facility is due to be completed next July, with final phases coming on line within three years.
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