Friends of Rocky Prairie

Status of SSLC Plans
(South Sound Logistics Center)

In March of 2007, the Ports of Olympia and Tacoma stated that they were in the very preliminary stages of developing a relationship to formally work together under the Interlocal Agreement. At a Port of Olympia meeting in March of 2007, the two Ports were just formulating a formal “umbrella agreement” between them. The Port of Tacoma stated it would be another 14 months at the earliest before any development could begin at the site, which would be May of 2008.

Both the Port of Tacoma and the Port of Olympia claim it is far too early in the SSLC planning process to project what might actually be located at the facility. However, Port records obtained reveal several maps and studies that clearly spell out the options, options that consistently appear in document after document. (See Location & Maps to view a schematic.)

• In the meantime, both ports have been making informed presentations to a broad spectrum of legislators, city, county and regional representatives, agencies and councils.

• Community members have been frustrated in their efforts to ascertain the Ports’ true plans for this site. What the Ports have failed to acknowledge is the far-reaching impact a development of this magnitude – The South Sound Logistics Center – will have on the entire region.

Also, plans are already on file for a high-cube warehousing facility. They were designed by ProLogis for the former owners, Citifor Inc, and can be found at the Thurston County Development Office in the Thurston County Courthouse complex. This type of huge structure could be the type the Port is considering building on the SSLC site for storage of foreign goods imported from overseas. PLANS SHOW A STUCTURE WITH A BUILDING FOOTPRINT OF 3,028,00 SQUARE FEET, THE SIZE OF 28 FOOTBALL FIELDS.

• As neighbors, both local and regional, of the potential SSLC, it is important to keep asking the Ports what will be located there, so that we –the public– are informed and have a say in the matter before plans are set in stone.

• Port Commissioners are elected public officials and are therefore accountable to their constituents!