KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC-Flushed with the success of its first 100,000-sf spec venture, South Carolina-based Johnson Development plans to construct a $9 million, 300,000-sf spec distribution center in the 150-acre Kings Mountain Commerce Park, 20 miles west of Downtown Charlotte. A ground-breaking date hasn't been set.

Johnson built the 100,000-sf building in 1998 but it remained vacant until last year when Louisville, KY-based Commonwealth Aluminum Tube Enterprises opened a $4 million plant. Johnson expects to construct one million sf of distribution space in the park, according to Garrett Scott, director of industrial development.

In a published article, Steve Killian, Kings Mountain director of planning and economic development, says the space is needed since all of the industrial buildings in town are occupied. The park is located between Greenville-Spartanburg, SC and Charlotte, on the south side of Interstate 85 at N.C. Highway 161.