$10M permit issued for one of 2 unused Amazon warehouses in Pasco. What does it mean?

One of the unused Amazon warehouses in east Pasco isn’t as quiet as tumbleweeds piled at the gates might suggest.

Ryan Companies US Inc., the developer that built the twin warehouses for Amazon Inc., is updating racking systems and some utilities at Project Oyster, according to a building permit issued by the city of Pasco.

The work is valued at $10 million and while it is an eye catching figure, it is not a clear indication the building will be put into use anytime soon. Amazon had no comment.

The permit indicates it will build out the interior of the building known as Project Oyster, 1351 S. Road 40 E.

“Tenant improvements” describes construction inside of a building, typically to convert it into a useful space.

For the Amazon warehouse, that means modifying the layout of racks that will hold future merchandise, as well as some electrical, low voltage and security updates, according to a building permit application. The exterior, roof, building and sprinkler systems will not be affected.

The latest permit brings the total investment in Project Oyster and its twin, Project Pearl, to nearly $260 million.

The future fulfillment centers are part of a building spree that saw Amazon double its logistics space during the COVID-19 pandemic. It paused the expansion before the two buildings were put into service.

A company spokeswoman recently confirmed that there are no immediate plans to use the buildings. A recent job post for a seasonal staffing job was unrelated to the two buildings.

The Amazon permit reflects an exceptionally busy month for Pasco’s building department.

The city issued 203 building permits for projects valued at nearly $121.6 million. The largest by far was a $63 million permit associated with construction of the Darigold Inc. processing plant north of town.

This story was originally published February 14, 2024 at 7:00 AM.