GARNER, N.C. -- An abandoned food plant in Garner now has clearance to transform into a distribution center, which may be for Amazon.

• An Amazon warehouse could be coming to Garner.
• Plans for a warehouse were approved last week.
• Permits only distinguished the project as "Project Axis".

Garner Town Council unanimously approved special permits last week for a plan listed only as "Project Axis" from an anonymous company. In the agenda from that meeting, the plan calls for redevelopment of 88 acres of the old ConAgra Foods plant along I-40 on Jones Sausage Road.

The agenda item describes plans for a 680,000 square foot warehouse "with concrete panels painted three different shades of gray with accents in yellow and blue."

"I'm excited," said Garner resident Shawn Fouche. "The young up and coming kids right out of college...it gives them an opportunity as well as the people who just want part time work."

Town officials would not confirm or deny Amazon was the company behind the distribution center plans. They did say they're ecstatic for such a substantial redevelopment of the old factory lot, which has been abandoned since a deadly explosion at the factory nearly a decade ago.

"They say we're business friendly and I think that makes a difference," said Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams. "Somebody will occupy the land, somebody will develop the land, and in turn we'll benefit from it."

"From an economic development perspective, there's a lot going on," added Garner economic development director Joe Stallings. "The citizens of Garner should be excited about the future of Garner because it is bright."