Coca-Cola distribution center to be built in Arlington near airport

ARLINGTON – Sharing a Coke could become much easier soon in Arlington.

Utah-based bottler and distributor of Coca-Cola projects, Swire Coca-Cola, USA, has submitted an application toArlington to build a 135,000-square-foot distribution center. The building would be constructed on 15 vacant acres on 59th Avenue NE near Arlington Municipal Airport, just south of the Boys and Girls Club.

The center would consist of a 120,000-square-foot warehouse shipping and receiving building, in addition to 15,000 square feet of office space, with brick and metal building materials, and a color scheme consisting of brown and bronze earthy tones typical of the Northwest, and a deep red roof and awnings. The front of the building facing 59th will also have an abundance of trees and landscaping.

Details were shared at a Planning Commission workshop Thursday night.

The project carries added significance to the city because it’s one of the first ones to follow Arlington’s updated design and review standards, City Community Development Director Marc Hayes said.

The standards will apply to and set a precedent for future potential investors looking to bring jobs-creating businesses to the area, most notably in the Arlington-Marysville Manufacturing Industrial Center.

Most of the changes Swire made to its original designs were voluntary and minimal. Added attention was paid to parking needs to come up with a safe and efficient solution to keep parking and semi-truck traffic to and from the warehouse area separate.

The result is a central main entrance for employees and office access on 59th, with entryways to the north and south for trucks only.

“A nice thing about Swire is they really listened, we worked with them, and they saw and understood the separation of uses,” Hayes said.

Planning staff is preparing more permit information and a staff report to bring back to the Planning Commission for recommendation at its Sept. 18 meeting.

Company officials hope to break ground this winter.

As part of refranchising efforts, the Coca-Cola Co. in a 2016 letter of intent granted more territories to Swire Coca-Cola across the Northwest. Those territories include a cold-fill production facility and corporate offices in Bellevue.

Swire Coca-Cola, USA operates in 12 western states, with plants in Bellevue, Tacoma, Bremerton, Wenatchee, Spokane and Walla Walla.

Coca Cola operated a plant in Marysville on 76th Street NE that closed in 2010, which was then purchased by the city of Marysville and eventually sold to Parr Lumber.