(Carl Cronan is editor of Real EstateFlorida.)

LAKE CITY, FL-Ryan Cos. US Inc. has completed its first perishable food distribution center for Target Corp. in northeast Florida, near the crossroads of Interstates 10 and 75. The 430,000-sf facility will begin serving SuperTarget stores throughout the Southeast by the end of summer.

The Lake City distribution site, which took roughly two years to complete, will handle fresh produce as well as frozen and refrigerated foods, with wall heights between 24 and 80 feet to store and ship goods bound for SuperTarget coolers. The building features pre-finished metal and pre-cast concrete wall panels, along with metal and glass accents to make it appear less industrial to interstate travelers.

A two-stage ammonia refrigeration system is used to cool various segments of the building to desired temperatures, including backup power generators. Ryan engineers developed a system using minimal electricity and water, providing 50% greater efficiency than standard refrigeration systems in smaller distribution centers.