An Oregon developer that helped transform the industrial market in Tucson is once again adding sought-after space for small and mid-size manufacturers and distributors.

Ten years after its first local investment, Schnitzer Properties is investing $73 million in two projects on the city’s south side.

The Drexel Commerce Center, near Drexel Road and Tucson Boulevard, will have 184,080 square feet in two buildings, and the Corona Commerce Center, south of Valencia Road and Tucson Boulevard, will be a 146,963-square-foot building.

Both will have flexible leasing options with spaces ranging from 6,700 square feet to 184,080 square feet.

“Schnitzer Properties watched Tucson for many years before buying our first project,” said Jordan Schnitzer, president and CEO.

He said the company has developed a strong relationship with local officials and commercial brokers, which is why he continues to invest in new buildings, such as the two new commerce centers.

“We hope these projects add to the growing workforce in this wonderful community,” Schnitzer said.

In 2018, the company broke ground on one of the first speculative industrial buildings in the Tucson market in nearly a decade.

The building, at 6960 S. Brosius Ave., near East Valencia and South Country Club roads, leased up quickly and was a catalyst for others to develop speculative industrial sites that helped Tucson recruit new companies that were not willing to wait 18 months or more for something to be built.

Prior to that, Tucson had routinely been passed over by assembly, manufacturing and logistics companies because existing industrial space was outdated.

Schnitzer first entered the Tucson market in 2015 with the purchase of the Butterfield Corporate Plaza, 3700 E. Columbia St.

Today, the company owns and operates more than 1.3 million square feet of industrial/flex space locally.

“Schnitzer Properties’ investment in Tucson has been transformative, spurring significant regional growth,” said Joe Snell, president and CEO of Sun Corridor Inc. He noted that since entering the market, Schnitzer has invested more than $200 million in Tucson, with 10 properties operating in the region.

“We thank Jordan and his team for the confidence to invest in the first spec building and to keep investing now and in the future,” Snell said.

Schnitzer Properties is a family-owned company based in Portland, Ore., and is focused on industrial spaces for small and mid-sized companies.

Construction of the new buildings is underway. Completion of the Corona Commerce Center is expected by the end of the year, while Drexel Commerce Center is expected to be finished in the spring of 2026.