Family's industrial parks move forward

Work is a family affair for Joe and Eric Roberts, co-owners of two west Springfield industrial parks.

They own Roberts Industrial Park and the Westgate Industrial Center.

Roberts Industrial Park is a quarter mile from Partnership Industrial Park West and a quarter mile south of Division on the east side of Farm Road 123 (Westgate).

Westgate Industrial Center is located a half a mile north of the Partnership Industrial Park West.

Eric Roberts said industrial activity in Springfield has "really taken off' since the new Partnership Industrial Park West was built.

"Northwest Springfield has traditionally been a slow growth area," he said. "We are fortunate" to be on this side of town, he said. "Partnership West only accepts larger users that are primarily manufacturers. We think demand for our property will be more for distribution warehousing and some manufacturing. Partnership Park West will only help us."

The lots at Roberts Industrial Park include off-site water detention. The Roberts also pay the real estate taxes, building insurance, lawn maintenance, exterior maintenance and snow removal.

The tenant is responsible for utilities, water and sewer, trash and interior maintenance.

Westgate Industrial Center has five tracts available and the Roberts will build to suit client's needs.

The Robertses operate their construction and real estate appraisal business out of an office at 2135 E. Sunshine St., Ste 104.

Building One at Roberts Industrial Park is nearing completion and is 27,000 square foot. It is dock-high in the back and has a 20-foot high eave. The parking lot will be at the rear of the building. The park has 38 useable acres.

The annual rental rate at Building One is $3.25 per square foot for the entire building, or $3.75 per square foot for smaller space. The annual charge for the office infill is an extra $5 per square foot.

Sixty percent of Building One is leased to Shaughnessey, a wholesale paper distributor. Shaughnessey is based in St. Louis.

Joe Roberts said he thinks their rates are approximately 75 cents per square foot less than the other new industrial buildings in Springfield.

"We are able to charge less because there are five family members who work on construction of the buildings," he said. "Also, we developed our own land."

The dirt work is now being completed on Building Two. The second building will be 32,500 square foot and just south of Building One. The center has 35 useable acres and is divided into five lots with off-site water detention included.

While there has been some interest in the lots in Building Two, according to Joe Roberts, none of the space has been leased yet. He's unsure when Building Two will be completed.

Joe Roberts' son, Matt, oversees the building construction and Eric Roberts' brother, Norman, handles the dirt work. Eric's stepbrother, Randy Bettis, is a craftsman who finishes offices and does skid-loader work.

Eric Roberts said each member of the Roberts family who works at the industrial parks, have their own strengths and weaknesses.

"As a group, we do well," he said. "But any one of us would have difficulty doing these projects alone considering that development, construction and marketing require so many varied skills."