Class I Briefs: Capital Development Partners, CSX, BNSF, UP
Capital Development Partners
Capital Development Partners on July 16 announced that it has delivered an 800,405-square-foot speculative rail service building for immediate occupancy within the Cedar Point Industrial Park in Baytown, Texas.
Cedar Port Logistics Center Building II will be able to serve both rail service users and non-rail service users with direct access to Highway 99 and the Port of Houston, the company noted.
Building II is move-in ready with 7,500 square feet of office space, 45,000-pound levelers on each door, warehouse lighting installed, building management systems, pop-up towers for equipment and dual rail service to both UP and BNSF.
Cedar Port Logistics Center Building I, an 800,405-square-foot rail service building, was completed in 2022 and is 100% leased to Plastic Express for plastic resin export.
Cedar Port Logistics Center is a $150 million development by Capital Development Partners with institutional partners for long-term investment, which consists of 1,600,810 square feet on 90 acres of land.
Cedar Port Logistics Center, Building II is being marketed by Ryan Byrd and John Nicholson at Colliers International Houston.
“We are excited to offer this premier rail-served building in the Houston Gateway to serve the Port of Houston and the dynamic Houston industrial real estate market,” said Capital Development Partners CEO John Knox. “Capital Development Partners will continue to develop and invest in the Port of Houston.”
CSX/BNSF
CSX and BNSF have both received a top score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index for 2024, which recognizes “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.” This is the sixth-straight year that CSX has been included and the second year for BNSF.
The Disability Equality Index was launched by Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and is acknowledged today as “the most robust disability inclusion assessment tool in business.” Now in its tenth year, it helps businesses make a positive impact on the unemployment/underemployment of people with disabilities.
The Index, a comprehensive benchmarking tool, measures key performance indicators across culture and leadership, enterprise-wide access, employment practices, community engagement, and supplier diversity. Achieving a top score “underscores CSX’s dedication to implementing best practices and policies that support employees with disabilities,” the Class I noted.
“Our continued recognition is a reflection of our ONE CSX culture and our employees who are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where each individual feels valued and can thrive,” said CSX Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer Stephanie Noel. “This is a testament to CSX’s ongoing efforts to foster a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace where everyone can contribute and succeed.”
“This recognition solidifies our efforts toward becoming a more inclusive and diverse place to work,” said Dustin Almaguer, BNSF’s Vice president of Compliance and Audit, who is also the executive sponsor of the railroad’s Disability Inclusion Alliance (DIA) business resource group. “We are committed to building upon our progress, so our railroad continues to be a leader in fostering a trusted environment where everyone feels included and valued for who they uniquely are.”
BNSF was scored by the Disability Equality Index in categories such as:
- Culture & leadership
- Enterprise-wide access
- Employment practices (benefits, recruitment, employment, education, retention and advancement, accommodations)
- Community engagement
- Supplier diversity
- Responsible procurement
“We’re extremely proud of the 542 national and international companies that are taking a proactive role in leading progress toward disability inclusion, setting a benchmark for others to follow,” said Disability:IN President and CEO Jill Houghton. “Their dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces not only attracts top talent, but also drives innovation and creates sustainable performance in today’s global market.”
UP
UP’s Educational Assistance Program provides employees tuition-free courses at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), as well as an associate degree option at Metropolitan Community College, “a valuable benefit as the cost of higher education continues to rise,” the Class I said.
To date, hundreds of employees across the railroad’s 23-state system have gone back to school, taking advantage of the education benefit that starts on day one of employment.
Employees can take a single class, transfer credits to complete a degree or delve into an entirely new area of focus. The program encourages growth and development across all disciplines.
This spring, 15 Union Pacific employees joined the growing list of UNO alumni, including Austin Riffle, associate systems engineer, who earned a master’s degree in computer science with a concentration in artificial intelligence.
“My managers were very supportive,” Riffle said, describing his experience navigating both online and in-person classes. “It speaks volumes of a culture that actively supports learning and building new skill sets.”
Riffle supports the development of tech-enabled operations such as Precision Gating Technology, which leverages information from truck containers, chassis and license plates to streamline movement at the railroad’s intermodal terminals.
“With this degree, I can make informed decisions when designing AI systems to support our operations,” said Riffle, who also is piloting camera technology to identify rail car defects.
Korey Blackman, crew dispatcher, earned a bachelor’s degree through UNO’s flexible online courses.
“I listened to lectures on my commute and used my phone or tablet on breaks to go over assigned reading and take notes,” said Blackman. “I encourage fellow railroaders to take advantage of this and other benefits Union Pacific offers.”
