Jun 7, 2004 12:34 PM, from staff and wire reports

Tristar Business Communities has begun site preparation for a 36-acre drop lot that will accommodate up to 716 trailers at Gateway Commerce Center, its 2,300-acre distribution park in Madison County IL. This $1.5 million project is scheduled for completion in autumn 2004.

The new drop lot will be built adjacent to the newly opened 1.1-million-square-foot super-regional distribution center owned by Hershey Foods Corp.

“A number of companies based here are experiencing growth in shipping volume, which is creating a need for overflow trailer parking,” said Michael Towerman, Tristar president.

Companies not currently based at Gateway will be allowed to rent spaces. Approximately 6 million square feet of distribution center space has been built at Gateway, with another 500,000 square feet due to be completed by late 2004.