Gov. DeSantis and Cabinet Approve New Emergency Facility for Hurricane Preparedness in Florida

Florida Advances Plans to Purchase and Retrofit Central Florida Warehouse for Emergency Response

In a significant move to bolster emergency response capabilities, Florida is forging ahead with the acquisition and conversion of a sprawling warehouse in Central Florida into a staging area for hurricanes and other crises. The state’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, along with the Cabinet, greenlighted the purchase of over half of the 74-acre Midpoint Florida Logistics Center in Auburndale using funds allocated in the latest state budget.

The next crucial step involves conducting an appraisal of the 40-acre property and the warehouse itself. While the budget sets aside a substantial $75 million for the purchase, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton cautioned that it is premature to speculate whether the expenses will reach that threshold. “It’s out for appraisal, it’s hard to say,” remarked Hamilton following a Cabinet meeting.

Presenting the proposal to Governor DeSantis and other key officials, including Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Attorney General Ashley Moody, was Department of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie. The comprehensive plan entails consolidating three smaller disaster supply facilities, including one in Lakeland stocked with personal protective equipment, into the new warehouse facility.

Situated east of an Amazon distribution center along Interstate 4, the Midpoint Florida Logistics Center, owned by Dalfen Industrial, spans 896,799 square feet across two buildings. Dalfen, operating under the entity CH Realty IX-DAL I Lakeland Auburndale, L.P., acquired the land for $25.7 million in November 2021 and subsequently erected two warehouses each exceeding 400,000 square feet.

The revamped facility is anticipated to encompass 422,199 square feet of warehouse space, 39,200 square feet of office space, designated areas for trailers and cars, loading docks, living quarters, and various amenities. The state legislature has earmarked $116 million in the upcoming budget, with a sizable portion allocated for the property acquisition and the remainder dedicated to upgrading the site. Upon completion, the warehouse will be fully air-conditioned and equipped with advanced systems for efficient operations.