Coca-Cola distribution center to reopen in Eugene, Ore.

EUGENE, Ore. — A shuttered Coca-Cola distribution center in north Eugene is set to reopen next year and employ 80 people.

Utah-based Swire Coca-Cola plans to nearly triple the size of the vacant 24,000-square-foot distribution center building on Chad Drive, to ship soda products around the state.

Swire is one of the numerous Coca-Cola franchisees across the country, making, selling and distributing Coke products to restaurants, grocers and vendors.

Swire bought the Eugene building last year for $1.8 million, part of a refranchising agreement that gave the company control of bottling and distribution buildings across Oregon and Washington.

At the time of the purchase, Swire said it was examining its new properties and considering next steps.

But now Swire is moving ahead on a roughly $5 million expansion of the Chad Drive building, according to a recently issued building permit.