
By Neil Doyle
NORMAL – Rivian has reached an agreement with an affiliate of Phoenix Investors to lease 500,000 square feet of warehouse space at North Main Street and Kerrick Road in Normal.
The site has remained vacant since construction halted in 2008 and the electric automaker plans to use the facility for inbound logistics and parts receiving, according to a news release Monday.
Rivian will take possession of the facility beginning in March 2021 and then complete interior preparation to support the start of vehicle production in summer 2021.
“We appreciate the investment Rivian is making in the Town of Normal. The economic benefits of their work ripples throughout the county, Central Illinois and beyond,” said Normal Mayor Chris Koos. “We also recognize and appreciate the commitment of Phoenix Investors in creating a facility to meet Rivian’s needs.”
Rivian will produce its all-electric R1T and R1S models and its electric delivery vans for Amazon at its production facility in Normal, roughly six miles west of the Kerrick Road warehouse site.
Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]