Cecil Commerce Center
Encyclopedia
Cecil Commerce Center is a significant, long-term economic development asset to the City of Jacksonville, representing more than 3 percent of the land area in Duval County
(17,000 acres or 69 km2). It is promoted as one of the most sought after locations in the Southeastern United States for manufacturing, supply chain logistics and industrial end users. This industrial and commercial-zoned site offers mid to large-size parcels for development. It has excellent transportation and utility infrastructure, is adjacent to I-10 and home to the third-longest runway in Florida.
in Jacksonville, Florida
was recommended for closure by the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. In response to the decision to close NAS Cecil Field, the Mayor of Jacksonville established the Cecil Field Development Commission, succeeded by the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC). One of the major responsibilities of the commission was to develop a proposed base reuse plan that would guide the transition of NAS Cecil Field from a fully operational Navy base to civilian use.
In 1996, the NAS Cecil Field Final Base Reuse Plan was approved and in March 1999, the Jacksonville City Council approved the Cecil Commerce Center Operations and Business Plan. Between July 1999 and April 2002, property was conveyed to the JEDC, Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA), the City of Jacksonville Parks Department and Clay County.
Existing recreational facilities within the area were included with surrounding acreage to create the Cecil Recreation Complex
, which was expanded to create new recreation opportunities.
Since the time of the conveyance of approximately 8300 acres (33.6 km²), the JEDC has worked to promote the site as a prime location for companies in the manufacturing, industrial-related and distribution industries, as well as other uses including support retail and office space along the main roads.
30°13′07"N 081°52′36"W
Duval County, Florida
Duval County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2010, the population was 864,263. Its county seat is Jacksonville, with which the Duval County government has been consolidated since 1968...
(17,000 acres or 69 km2). It is promoted as one of the most sought after locations in the Southeastern United States for manufacturing, supply chain logistics and industrial end users. This industrial and commercial-zoned site offers mid to large-size parcels for development. It has excellent transportation and utility infrastructure, is adjacent to I-10 and home to the third-longest runway in Florida.
History
In July 1993, former Naval Air Station Cecil FieldNaval Air Station Cecil Field
Naval Air Station Cecil Field or NAS Cecil Field was a United States Navy base, located in Duval County, Florida. NAS Cecil Field was the largest military base in the Jacksonville, Florida, area....
in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
was recommended for closure by the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. In response to the decision to close NAS Cecil Field, the Mayor of Jacksonville established the Cecil Field Development Commission, succeeded by the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC). One of the major responsibilities of the commission was to develop a proposed base reuse plan that would guide the transition of NAS Cecil Field from a fully operational Navy base to civilian use.
In 1996, the NAS Cecil Field Final Base Reuse Plan was approved and in March 1999, the Jacksonville City Council approved the Cecil Commerce Center Operations and Business Plan. Between July 1999 and April 2002, property was conveyed to the JEDC, Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA), the City of Jacksonville Parks Department and Clay County.
Existing recreational facilities within the area were included with surrounding acreage to create the Cecil Recreation Complex
Cecil Recreation Complex
The Cecil Recreation Complex at the Cecil Commerce Center is a comprehensive recreational facility on the west side of Jacksonville, Florida. The $25 million project was part of the 2000 Better Jacksonville Plan and will eventually include...
, which was expanded to create new recreation opportunities.
Since the time of the conveyance of approximately 8300 acres (33.6 km²), the JEDC has worked to promote the site as a prime location for companies in the manufacturing, industrial-related and distribution industries, as well as other uses including support retail and office space along the main roads.
Current Developments
- Jacksonville City Council unanimously approved a 25-year agreement with Hillwood to be master developer of 4,475 +/- acres of City-owned property at Cecil Commerce Center. Hillwood has the expertise, track record and private capital resources needed to develop this large industrial site and create the job haven and economic driver for Jacksonville that the community has envisioned. In addition to branding the site with their premiere brand name – Alliance Florida, Hillwood will invest more than $1.3 billion to develop the entire 31000000 square feet (2,879,994.2 m²) master plan. These developments will attract the companies that will bring thousands of new jobs and expand the tax base.
- SAFT America, Inc., a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-technology batteries, recently broke ground on a 277560 sq ft (25,786.2 m²). lithium battery manufacturing plant on 12 acres (48,562.3 m²) at Cecil. SAFT plans to invest more than $200 million in new capital and employ 279 people at the new facility.
- The new Cecil Commerce Center Parkway and I-10 interchange was completed in October 2009. The $62 million project provides direct access to Cecil Commerce Center and is the first section of the new, regional First Coast Outer Beltway.
- The U.S. Coast Guard has recently renovated its 32000 square feet (2,972.9 m²) building and added 150 new personnel to its drug interdiction operation at Cecil. Overall annual payroll for the operation is approximately $12 million.
- Alenia North America plans to build a $65 million final assembly and delivery center for the C-27J Spartan cargo plane at Cecil Commerce Center. The center will add 300 new jobs to the local market. The company also expects to invest approximately $42 million in new, private capital for manufacturing equipment, technology, infrastructure and furniture.
- Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations recently purchased 63.3 acres (256,166.2 m²) in Cecil Commerce Center North and constructed a 1000000 square feet (92,903 m²) distribution center. The site will employ 250 and represents a private capital investment of $44 million.
- Florida State College recently completed phase one of a new, 44000 square feet (4,087.7 m²) center in Cecil Commerce Center North. The new campus offers general education courses.
- FlightStar, a heavy aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul contractor, added 150 more employees. This brings their employment at Cecil Commerce Center South to approximately 320.
Existing Users
Currently, there are more than 2,500 jobs generated by the various entities located at Cecil Commerce Center. A listing of these various establishments includes:- Alenia North America
- Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
- CDI-M & T Co.
- Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection
- Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard
- Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
- Fleet Readiness Center Southeast
- Flightstar Aircraft Services
- Florida Army National Guard
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
- General Dynamics
- Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department
- Jacksonville JetPort
- JEAces
- L-3 Communications, Titan Group
- LSI
- Northrop Grumman
- Robinson Aviation
- SAFT America, Inc.
- State of Florida, Division of Forestry
- The Boeing Company
- United States Postal Service
- VT Griffin
- Woods Group, Pratt & Whitney
External links
30°13′07"N 081°52′36"W