“It would seem to be common sense that, if you’re going to sell a monstrous industrial company,
that it’s a good time to consider selling when the market is probably as strong as it will be in our lifetime, which it is right now for industrial,” Funke said.
Bean and others said it will be tough for Prologis to replicate Duke’s community involvement. For example, Duke has long offered a down-payment
assistance program for first-time home-buying employees, a benefit started by former Duke CEO Tom Hefner, who donated his bonuses to establish the program. That money now is expected to be redistributed to local charities that focus on addressing
housing challenges, she said.
Duke has also participated in community days of service each year, and it’s held monthly blood drives with the
American Red Cross since the pandemic began.
“I think that’s going to be a huge hit to Indianapolis,” Bean said.
Prologis said it maintains deep ties to all the communities in which it does business. Spokeswoman Jennifer Nelson said the company supports
community groups through its foundation, year-round volunteering and a corporate day of service.
Down the road
It’s hard to know for sure what Prologis’ long-term plans are for Indianapolis, though the company is among the biggest players in the local
industrial market. It’s been involved in numerous projects on the south and west sides and taken on partnerships with companies such as locally based Browning Investments.
When the merger was announced, Prologis Chief Financial Officer Tim Arndt said in written remarks that the deal “increases the strength, size
and diversification of our balance sheet while expanding the opportunity for Prologis to apply innovation to drive long-term growth.”
JLL’s Schwegman said he expects Prologis to continue investing in Indianapolis because it’s such a strong Midwestern market. About
23 million square feet of industrial development is under construction across central Indiana, according to his firm’s research.
“I
don’t think they can have quite the impact as Duke, just by virtue of the fact that they’re not based here,” he said. “That said, Prologis has already done a lot. With them, there’s a, ‘Have your cake and eat
it, too,’ mentality. If they continue to do that, they can have a strong impact in our community.”
For some, the more immediate question will
be what becomes of Duke’s new headquarters building, a $28 million, four-story property it built with PK Partners at Keystone at the Crossing. The 78,000-square-foot building is already starting to
empty out, though the remaining employees are expected to continue using the structure until at least mid-2023.
Prologis is based in the 8888 Keystone Crossing building, directly across the street from Duke’s headquarters.
Connor said he expects Prologis to list the Duke headquarters by the first quarter of 2023. Even without being listed, the property has already
attracted interest, he said.
7