Project Report: Speedway Logistics Industrial Development

Executive Summary

Trammell Crow Co. and Barings have commenced construction on Speedway Logistics, a significant 804,283-square-foot industrial project in Socorro. This development, situated on a 60-acre site, is being built on a speculative basis and is poised to make substantial contributions to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of infrastructure, economic growth, and sustainable communities.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Speedway Logistics project directly supports and advances key objectives outlined in the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

This development is a prime example of building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization.

• Infrastructure Enhancement: The project adds nearly one million square feet of modern logistics space, strengthening the region’s supply chain infrastructure to support economic activity.
• Sustainable Industrialization: The state-of-the-art, cross-dock design of the buildings promotes efficiency in logistics, a key component of sustainable industrial processes that can reduce transit times and associated emissions.
• Fostering Innovation: By developing speculative facilities, the project anticipates future industrial needs, encouraging innovation in warehousing and distribution.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The project is a significant driver for local employment and sustained economic growth.

• Job Creation: The construction phase will create numerous jobs, with completion expected next summer. Upon opening, the logistics park will provide long-term, stable employment opportunities in the warehousing and transportation sectors.
• Economic Contribution: This investment stimulates the local economy in Socorro, contributing to sustained and inclusive economic growth for the community.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The development plays a role in making the community more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Economic Resilience: By expanding the industrial base, the project enhances the economic resilience of the Socorro community, providing a foundation for future growth.
• Supporting Urban Development: The facility provides essential infrastructure that supports the broader economic and social fabric of the urban area, ensuring it can meet the demands of a growing population and economy.

Project Specifications and Timeline

1. Developers: Trammell Crow Co. and Barings
2. Total Project Size: 804,283 square feet
3. Site Area: 60 acres
4. Building Details:
   • Building 1: 426,868 sf, cross-dock facility
   • Building 2: 377,415 sf, cross-dock facility
5. Development Status: Under construction (speculative basis)
6. Expected Completion: Summer 2025

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Speedway Logistics project connects to several Sustainable Development Goals, primarily through its focus on economic development, infrastructure, and land use.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The construction of a large-scale, 804,283-sf industrial project is a significant economic activity. Such projects inherently involve job creation, both in the temporary construction phase and in the long-term operational phase once the logistics center is complete. This directly contributes to local and regional economic growth.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The project is the development of new industrial infrastructure. The article describes the creation of “an 804,283-sf industrial project” consisting of “two-building development” on a “60-acre site.” This directly relates to building resilient infrastructure and fostering industry, which are core components of SDG 9.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The development of a 60-acre site for industrial purposes represents a significant change in land use within the community of Socorro. This scale of development impacts urban planning and the physical layout of the community, connecting it to the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the information provided, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation.

   The development of a modern logistics facility contributes to economic productivity. Logistics is a key sector for enabling trade and commerce, and new facilities often incorporate modern technologies that improve efficiency, aligning with this target’s aim to upgrade and focus on high-value sectors.

2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development.

   The “Speedway Logistics” project is a direct example of developing infrastructure to support economic development. A logistics hub is a critical piece of infrastructure that facilitates the movement of goods, supporting various other industries and contributing to overall economic resilience.

3. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for… sustainable human settlement planning and management.

   The project involves the conversion of a “60-acre site” for industrial use. This is an act of urbanization and land-use planning. The scale of the project directly relates to how a community manages its growth and allocates land for economic purposes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains both explicit and implicit data points that can serve as indicators to measure progress.

• For Target 8.2:

  • Number of jobs created (Implied): While not explicitly stated, the construction and future operation of an 804,283-sf facility is a primary indicator of job creation, a key measure of economic growth.

• For Target 9.1:

  • Total industrial square footage developed (Stated): The article specifies the project size as “804,283-sf,” which is a direct quantitative indicator of new infrastructure development.
  • Investment in new infrastructure (Implied): The project’s existence implies a significant financial investment in new infrastructure, a common indicator for this target.

• For Target 11.3:

  • Land consumption rate (Stated): The article mentions the project will “sit on a 60-acre site.” This figure is a direct indicator of land consumption for urban/industrial development, which is used to measure progress towards sustainable urbanization (Indicator 11.3.1).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: trerc.tamu.edu