Building will be climate-controlled warehouse

Business Today

The former Edward's Sportswear building, one of Cape Girardeau's largest industrial properties, has been leased.

Tom Kelsey, broker with Lorimont Place Ltd., who was involved in the transaction, said the 104,825-square-foot structure on five-plus acres at 334 Broadview has been acquired from the Edwards family on a long-term lease, with an eventual purchase arrangement by Russell Gadberry, who also owns Steel Structures, a commercial construction company.

Kelsey said plans include subdividing the building into smaller segments for lease storage and warehousing sections.

Gadberry, who has been involved in the design and construction of metal buildings and other storage projects, plans for the operation to be one of the largest controlled-environment warehouses in the region. Kelsey said large, multi-tenant, climate-controlled warehousing has become very popular in other areas.

Kelsey said negotiations with prospective tenants are under way, and the large, fenced and lighted 300-vehicle parking lot will be used for outside rental storage of autos, RVs and other equipment.

Gadberry was represented in the transaction by Kim Baker of Town & Country Realty.

The building once housed Ralph Edward's Sportswear, an apparel manufacturing company. It was later used by Tri-Con Industries for automobile seat manufacturing, until that company moved to Mexico six years ago.