Change comes to Holston AAP
10/30/2003
By:

The Holston Business and Technology Park consists of 6,500 acres in Northeast Tennessee. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains along the banks of the Holston River, the site is undergoing major change and is being subdivided to take maximum advantage of available space and abundant infrastructure.

While tenants are locating on-site utilizing existing facilities, the Holston Strategic Plan clearly demonstrated the need to develop the abundant, under utilized greenfields at the site. While the new Holston Business Development Center will see construction begin in September 2002, the first parcel of green space is being prepared for development simultaneously. "The parcel's development is in complete harmony with the strategic plan developed by BAE at the outset and long with the new business development center is expected to set the stage for future development at the facility," states Tony Hewitt, the BAE Director of Commercial Development. The 6,500 acre site is operated for the Army by BAE Systems/Ordnance Systems, Inc.

The parcel comprises approximately 25 acres, and as configured will contain a bank, two strip malls and two free standing building units for office or retail use. It is the first land parcel in a 250 acre tract that fronts a four lane highway.

"This parcel is the first of many that are planned to allow a variety of uses, accommodate varying size buildings and promote planned development of the approximate 1,000 acres of green space available at the site," states Hewitt. "We will continue to utilize our assets and infrastructure on the brownfield areas, but feel that the greenfields must be exploited simultaneously in order to realize the full development potential of the site."

The facility is strategically located in the southeastern United States on four lane Highway 11W just five (5) minutes from Interstate I-181. Interstate I-81 is located 10 minutes from the facility offering easy access to five (5) states. This site is within a one-day drive of 70% of the U.S. population. The site is served by both the CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads and has approximately 32 miles of on-site tracks and rail spurs. The facility offers ample, affordable electricity, on-site water and wastewater treatment capability, natural gas and a significant steam generating capacity. The Tri-Cities Regional Airport provides access to national and regional hubs throughout the southeastern United States.

"We believe that the entire Holston AAP is poised to act as a catalyst for major growth in the region and that this first parcel will be the genesis of that growth at the facility," concludes Hewitt.