FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — The Fort Pierce City Commission has approved a major site plan amendment for a massive new Amazon distribution center located at 2300 South Kings Highway.

This 1.1 million square foot facility will include a refrigerated warehouse and office space on a site spanning nearly 70 acres. Assistant Planning Director Chris Suneson noted during the meeting that the project is expected to create approximately 745 permanent jobs for the region.

Beyond the immediate employment impact, the project represents a $240 million investment in the city’s infrastructure and tax base.

While the current approval focuses on the initial warehouse, developer Scannell Properties has indicated plans for a second phase that could add another 500,000 square feet and 500 additional jobs in the future. Construction is estimated to take roughly two years, with a shell completion target of September 2027 and a final certificate of occupancy expected by March 2028.

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To manage the increased traffic from semi-trucks and employee shifts, the developer is funding $4.2 million in road improvements. This includes spending $3 million to reconstruct White Road from a shell rock road into a paved three-lane street between Kings Highway and Peters Road. Additionally, $700,000 has been bonded for the installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of White Road and Kings Highway once traffic warrants are met.

Addressing concerns about 18-wheelers making U-turns on Kings Highway, project engineers detailed a circulation plan that separates truck traffic from passenger vehicles. Southbound trucks will utilize a dedicated 450-foot right-turn lane, while northbound trucks will use a 400-foot left-turn storage lane to enter the site safely. All heavy trucks will exit the facility onto White Road rather than pulling directly onto Kings Highway.