News Summary
The city of Jacksonville is reviewing civil engineering plans for the Airport Commerce Center, a large industrial development project near Jacksonville International Airport. The project spans 316.19 acres and includes significant grading and infrastructure development. Jacksonville-based Suddath Cos. has acquired initial land for the project, which aims to enhance logistics operations and promote economic growth in the region. The project will feature substantial warehouse capacity, including a logistics center to showcase supply chain technologies.
Jacksonville, FL – The city is currently reviewing civil engineering plans for the Airport Commerce Center, a major development project near Jacksonville International Airport. The plans, submitted on September 12, outline the mass grading of the development in three phases, specifically Phases 1A and 1B, as well as Phases 2 and 3. The review is being conducted by the local government and the project is spearheaded by Jacksonville-based civil engineering firm England-Thims & Miller Inc.
The Airport Commerce Center covers a total area of 316.19 acres off Pecan Park Road, with construction set to involve mass grading, stormwater management, clearing, and the development of associated infrastructure. It is important to note that the property is zoned for heavy industrial use.
The Suddath Cos., a Jacksonville-based logistics and transportation company, announced on August 22 the acquisition of the first 107 acres of this project from Subema LLC of Tallahassee for $6.945 million. This acquisition is part of Suddath’s broader plans to develop the entire site, which includes an additional 200 acres that they intend to acquire and develop.
Suddath established the Airport Commerce Center LLC for this project and has already secured an option to buy the 307-acre tract from Subema earlier in June. The development site is strategically located west of Interstate 95 and Pecan Park Road, and south of Gold Star Family Parkway, making it easily accessible for logistics operations.
The completed Airport Commerce Center is expected to feature a Class A industrial park adjacent to the airport and will consist of two separate industrial buildings with potential space of up to 1.2 million square feet in addition to others that may offer up to 550,000 square feet. The initial phase of this project will house a distribution center for Suddath’s NXTPoint Logistics subsidiary, which aims to support both existing and future customers. It will also act as the location for a new Logistics Innovation Center focused on testing and showcasing supply chain technologies.
Expanding operations is a key focus for Suddath, which is looking to enhance its presence not just in Jacksonville but also in numerous strategic markets in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Southwest regions. As a well-established organization founded in 1919, Suddath has grown into a $900 million global logistics and transportation enterprise employing over 2,000 individuals across 180 countries.
With more than 35 locations and 4 million square feet of warehouse space in the United States, Suddath manages to complete over 80,000 household moves each year, including 30,000 for military families.
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) has contributed to the project by granting a nonexclusive easement for the Airport Commerce Center on August 7, thus enabling future development and improved connectivity to other parcels managed by the JAA, accessible from Pecan Park Road. Furthermore, the Jacksonville City Council voted unanimously with a 19-0 decision to approve the rezoning and a land use amendment in November 2024, updating the property designation from Public Building and Facilities to Planned Unit Development for light industrial use.
The construction segment of this project will involve creating seven buildings totaling approximately 2.3 million square feet, with individual sizes ranging from 141,960 square feet to 1,019,520 square feet. Additionally, Subema LLC is in the process of undergoing an environmental resources application review with the St. Johns River Water Management District, focusing on the mass clearing and grading associated with the development. As part of the project’s necessary preparations, the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) is also evaluating a service availability request related to the project.
The Airport Commerce Center aims to solidify Suddath’s standing as a leading logistics provider, while the project itself is anticipated to stimulate economic development and growth in the Jacksonville region.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Daily Record: City Reviewing Civil Engineering Plans for Airport Commerce Center
- Google Search: Airport Commerce Center Jacksonville
- Jacksonville Daily Record: JAA Approves Airport Commerce Center Easement
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Suddath Buys Phase 1 of Airport Commerce Center
- Google News: Suddath Property Management
- Jacksonville Daily Record: City Council Gives Final OK for Airport Commerce Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Airport Commerce Center
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
