Colton-based Stater Bros. Markets on Friday officially took possession of approximately 160 acres at San Bernardino International Airport for its new distribution and warehouse center.
“All the conditions have been met,” said Jack Brown, chairman and chief executive officer.
As part of its site preparation for the $200 million construction project, Stater Bros. relocated 30 businesses that were on land needed for its project.
“We spent a pile of money,” Brown said, declining to be more specific.
“This deal is real,” said Don Rogers, interim executive director of the Inland Valley Development Agency.
“They put up the money. The land has been transferred. The project will be built,” Rogers said.
Stater Bros. paid the IVDA approximately $4.6 million for the land. That money will be reinvested in various infrastructure improvements, including the widening of Leland Norton Way.
Brown said that construction on the project will begin well before the end of this month.
Rogers said that demolition of some buildings still has to be completed.
Brown said Stater Bros. will move its administration building to the new site in February 2007 and warehousing operations will begin there in summer 2007.
The move will consolidate 10 facilities located in four cities.
Brown said the relocation of the 30 businesses occurred “without one lawsuit being filed.”
“Our philosophy is do the right thing for the right reason. And the right thing was to be fair with the people who were here (on the land Stater Bros. wanted to buy),” he said.
Upon completion, 2,000 jobs will move to SBIA. About 500 construction jobs will be created as the project is being built, he said.