Freight Villages

The industrial real estate sector is riding the crest of global trends and building to keep up. The action is hottest at border crossings and ports in major cities. The Los Angeles metropolitan area is the continental mouth open to the onslaught of low cost goods from Asia, primarily China.

...A third challenge also creates the most opportunities to resolve some of the issues outlined above: distribution tenants are not getting the services they need. Under the current model, the individual distribution center tenant must procure a-la-carte services that they need in order to do business. Security? A chain link fence and a guard. Place for a meeting? Go offsite. Food for workers and management? Go offsite. Banking; hiring; training; conferencing? Offsite. Transport for workers? Private automobile. A dignified workplace with landscaping, and maintenance, and advanced communication options? Dream on!

One alternative that goes a long way toward solving or reducing these issues has been launched in Europe, and is beginning to receive serious attention in the U.S.: freight villages: large-scale developments that house several distribution centers and other freight businesses, with 24 hour perimeter CCTV security, intermodal operations, business services, amenities and urban-friendly features."