An Atlanta-area distributor of building and industrial products plans to set up distribution and storage operations at the former Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park on Milwaukee's far northwest side.
According to an application with the city, Marietta, Georgia-based
BlueLinx Corp. seeks to operate a wholesale "two-step" distribution center with outdoor storage at properties located southwest of North 76th Street and West Dean Road.
The roughly 15.8-acre site that BlueLinx seeks to occupy includes the former indoor bike park building, a small outlot in front of the building, and another parcel with two metal storage buildings behind it. The properties are owned by an affiliate of Milwaukee-based Mallory Properties. The building was also formerly a Menards store location. The structures total roughly 100,000 square feet, according to city assessment records.
A two-step distributor buys large quantities of products from multiple manufacturers, typically with long order lead times, and then sells a broad mix of products from manufacturers to building-products dealers and retailers, often in smaller quantities with shorter order lead times than manufacturers, BlueLinx states in application records. The company anticipates most of its customers will be located within 10 miles of the warehouse.
The company will spend between $275,000-$500,000 in renovations, and lease the site from the property owner.
BlueLinx plans to hire 25 full-time employees for positions including general manager, operations manager, clerical assistant/office manager, supervisors, material handlers and drivers. All positions pay over minimum wage with a full benefits package.
The warehouse would be in operation Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., with hours extended to midnight on peak days.
Representatives of BlueLinx did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
"BlueLinx’s use of the site will put millions of dollars back into the local community through employee salaries, taxes and other services," the company notes in its application. "This money is infused back into the economy, supporting local business, and contributing to the vitality of the community as a whole."
To operate there, BlueLinx needs approval from the city's Board of Zoning Appeals. BOZA needs to approve a special use permit and a a variance to allow for limited lumber-cutting activities at the site.
BlueLinx is a publicly traded company that's been operating since 1954. Its website lists other Wisconsin locations in Madison and Wausau.
