SALISBURY, MD - WBOC has learned that multinational tech giant Amazon plans to open a new distribution center in Wicomico County.
According to both Amazon and Salisbury public officials, the distribution center is slated for construction at 1842 Edward Taylor Road at the corner of West Road and just south of Route 50. The property is currently listed under the ownership of developer Opportunity Street, LLC according to online Maryland property records.
On Tuesday, April 15, Amazon confirmed to WBOC they had leased property in Salisbury with the intent of opening a small operations facility. In a second email, an Amazon spokesperson said the center’s planned location on Opportunity Street’s property on Edward Taylor Road.
Officials tell WBOC the project has been years in the making. A preliminary comprehensive development plan for Opportunity Street’s project, dubbed the Westwood Distribution Center, was first approved by the City of Salisbury-Wicomico County Planning and Zoning Commission at a meeting in September of 2023. At the time, the proposed building was about 52,000 feet in area according to a City of Salisbury Infrastructure and Development Staff Report.
In April of 2024, a final comprehensive development plan was approved, now with the proposed center at just under 87,000 square feet, Planning Commission meeting minutes show. The Infrastructure and Development Staff Report likens the distribution warehouse’s size to the Kohl’s department store on Rt 13 in Salisbury.
A letter to Salisbury officials from Parker & Associates, on behalf of Opportunity Street, LLC, details further aspects of the project including multiple parking lots and delivery loading spaces.
Salisbury City Council President D’Shawn Doughty tells WBOC officials have had to contain their excitement for the project as it awaited approval.
"We want to make sure that we tread the line on transparency, but also being realistic and not putting the cart before the horse, you know a lot of things can happen with development," Doughty said.
Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor tells WBOC the project has been fully green-lit and construction is now well underway.
According to the Salisbury Infrastructure and Development Staff Report, the plans include an estimated 120 employees at the new building. The facility’s future economic impact to Salisbury and Wicomico County are already generating excitement.
“A facility like Amazon planning to build in Salisbury is an instant job creator,” Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Bill Chambers told WBOC on Wednesday. “In fact before they break ground they’ll be in hiring mode.”
Amazon currently has a distribution center in Seaford, DE.
