An independent Cold Storage Feasibility Study evaluating a 125,000 SF airport-integrated cold storage center in Kenner, Louisiana.
KENNER, Louisiana — Wert-Berater, Inc., an independent feasibility study consulting firm serving lenders and government agencies since 1998, has completed a Cold Storage Feasibility Study in Kenner, Louisiana.
Wert-Berater served as independent feasibility consultant to the lender and USDA Rural Development. Party names are withheld consistent with the confidential nature of underwriting and capital-advisory work; figures represent the project as evaluated at the study date.
A Phase I cold storage and logistics facility integrated with the region's international airport, evaluated under USDA Regulation 5001 across six alternative building programs from 110,000 to 250,000 square feet using a 90+ tab financial model. The recommended 125,000-square-foot configuration carries a total project cost of $33,656,250 ($269.25/SF), reaches 84 percent stabilized utilization in Year 2 with a 41.7 percent EBITDA margin, and supports 65–85 permanent jobs with $3.2–4.5 million in annual payroll.
Temperature-controlled warehouse and logistics space with ammonia refrigeration, 72-hour backup diesel generation, building design exceeding local wind-load standards, and full regulatory compliance programs (EPA Risk Management Plan, OSHA Process Safety Management), supported by a 10 percent construction contingency of $2,923,296.
$17,481,604 senior secured loan (51.9% of TPC) at 9.50% on 25-year amortization, sized to a Year 2 DSCR floor of 1.40x; equity of $16,174,646 (48.1%).
Three challenges shaped the determination. First, leverage discipline in a 9.50 percent rate environment: at the 1.40x DSCR floor, a 5 percent revenue shortfall thins coverage to 1.07x and a 10 percent shortfall breaches it — the study sized the loan at 51.9 percent of cost rather than maximizing proceeds. Second, Gulf Coast hurricane and flood exposure, addressed through hardened design, comprehensive windstorm/flood coverage, and FEMA zone analysis. Third, ammonia-system regulatory compliance, budgeted explicitly at $75,000–150,000 initial and $30,000–50,000 annually.
Wert-Berater, Inc. is an independent feasibility study consulting firm founded in 1998, providing lender- and agency-facing feasibility studies, highest-and-best-use analyses, and capital-advisory support. The firm has completed 4,000+ engagements across all 50 states and internationally, evaluating over $41.2 billion in project value for SBA, USDA, EB-5, conventional, and institutional financing decisions. In every engagement, fiduciary duty runs to the lender and the applicable agency.
Media contact: Donald Safranek, MSc, President, Wert-Berater, Inc. — +1 310-857-2443 ext. 800. Press inquiries only; client, lender, and property identities remain confidential.
President, Wert-Berater, Inc. — independent feasibility study consultants since 1998. 4,000+ engagements completed across all 50 states and internationally, evaluating $41.2 billion in project value for SBA, USDA, EB-5, conventional, and institutional financing decisions. Fiduciary duty runs to the lender and agency in every engagement.
+1 310-857-2443 ext. 800 · email · 1968 South Coast Hwy, Ste 2382, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 · 111 Town Square Pl Ste 1238 PMB 657834, Jersey City, NJ 07310 · 539 W. Commerce St #8486, Dallas, TX 75208 · 66 W Flagler Street, Suite 900, PMB 12704, Miami, FL 33130
Schedule a ConversationIndependent feasibility studies since 1998 — 4,000+ engagements, $41.2 billion in evaluated project value. Standard delivery in 10 to 15 business days. Fiduciary duty to the lender and agency.
Legal disclosure. Wert-Berater, Inc. offices are mailing addresses only. Following the COVID-19 pandemic the firm has elected to work remotely; its office locations receive mail and are not staffed for visitors or in-person meetings. Headquarters mailing address: 1968 South Coast Hwy, Ste 2382, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
Wert-Berater, Inc. is an independent provider of feasibility studies and other related services. The firm does not provide financing or equity investment advice, and does not arrange, broker, or place debt or equity capital of any kind.
All appraisal assignments are performed by Bruce E. Jones, MAI, ASA-GC, BCA, CMEA, a member of the Appraisal Institute since 2006, a staff member of Wert-Berater, Inc. and owner of Special Purpose Realty Valuation.