Blue Rock Construction delivered a 1.2 million-square-foot, Class-A industrial build-to-suit facility for Newland Capital Group in Mount Pocono, Pa. This state-of-the-art warehouse marks the largest footprint project in the company’s 30-year history.
The facility features four offices —5,000 SF, 3,000 SF, 3,000 SF, and 2,000 SF — as well as additional remote restrooms and designated break areas for warehouse employees.
The infrastructure includes a guard shack, a pump house, and a 140,000-gallon water tank to support the facility’s operations.
The general warehouse area is equipped with custom racking systems and advanced facilities to accommodate a secured tenant.
Key features at Mount Pocono Commerce Center include :
- 191 truck doors and four drive-in doors
- 359 trailer stalls and parking for 426 vehicles
- Ample office space and employee amenities
To prepare the 86-acre site for development, Blue Rock undertook a series of rigorous site-work tasks. These included the demolition of an existing golf course and other structures, as well as the excavation of 600,000 cubic yards of rock that required significant blasting.
Earthwork on the site involved cuts of up to 30 feet and fills as high as 45 feet, along with the construction of four large retaining walls, which required settlement monitoring.
The stormwater management system was equally ambitious, with six sediment basins that were converted to bioretention basins and an underground infiltration basin beneath the roadway.
The project faced several challenges, from harsh winter work conditions to supply chain issues and weather delays. Key obstacles included:
- Unsuitable soils, requiring ground heaters and over-excavation.
- Energy delays due to PPL’s timing for energizing the building.
- Water flow issues that were resolved by installing a booster pump.
- Excessive moisture inside the building during construction, which complicated interior work.
- Site access limitations due to soil-bearing issues, affecting material transport.
- Weather impacts, especially concerning retaining wall construction and building pad delays.
This project represents one of the largest site developments in the Mount Pocono area.
