Collins Aerospace, which is the recently joined UTC Aerospace Systems and Rockwell Collins, is working on plans to lease a new building in North Jacksonville to make parts for clients that include the U.S. Department of Defense.
Formerly called United Technologies Aerospace Systems, the company will rent a 140,833-square-foot warehouse at 10531 Busch Drive N., according to building plans.
Landlord Dan Webb referred questions to Collins Aerospace, which did not return a call or email. Imeson International Industrial Park is developing the building on 11 acres and can more than double its size if needed.
Collins Aerospace already leases space at 6061 Goodrich Blvd. in North Jacksonville at the Blount Island Marine Terminal. That location formerly was called UTC Aerospace Systems, Engineered Polymer Products (U.S.A.) A call there was not returned late Wednesday afternoon.
The city is reviewing a permit application for Webb Southeast Construction Corp. to renovate 14,463 square feet of office space at the Busch Drive building at a cost of $982,000.
Plans say the project will be permitted in two phases.
The first phase comprises office space, restrooms and telephone and data space.
The second phase will be for the systems involved in the manufacturing process. Collins Aerospace will make polyurethane parts for applications for its clients.
Ebert Norman Brady Architects of Jacksonville Beach is the architect.
Collins Aerospace was created this year. On Monday, United Technologies announced that it completed its acquisition of Rockwell Collins to create Collins Aerospace Systems, with a global presence of 70,000 employees in 300 sites.
The Jacksonville project fits the description of Project Turtle.
The Office of Economic Development wants to introduce legislation for an existing manufacturing company, using the code name Project Turtle.
The company seeks $1.64 million in taxpayer-backed financial incentives to expand its Jacksonville operation and hire 108 more employees.
Project Turtle is described in a project summary as an existing manufacturer with more than 100 current employees in Jacksonville.
It proposes to create 108 more jobs and invest $21.8 million into a new industrial building and to purchase equipment for a facility it is considering in North Jacksonville.
The legislative fact sheet said Project Turtle is considering Jacksonville and Southeast Georgia as sites.
The new jobs would pay an average annual wage of $53,298 plus benefits.
Project Turtle is seeking $1.64 million in city and state-backed financial incentives for the expansion, comprising a Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund and a Recapture Enhanced Value grant.
To qualify for the QTI grant, the company must hire 108 new employees by year-end 2020.
A city spokeswoman said Friday she had no information to share when asked if Project Turtle is Collins Aerospace.