An almost 3.8 million-square-foot industrial park is in review for 816 acres in North Jacksonville.
The city is reviewing civil engineering plans submitted Nov. 2 for the Arnold Road Industrial Park by Saxum Real Estate, a privately held investment and development firm that also is completing a cold-storage warehouse in North Jacksonville.
Saxum has offices in Summit, New Jersey; Austin, Texas; and Atlanta.
Jacksonville-based England-Thims & Miller Inc. is the civil engineer. ESC Florida LLC of Jacksonville is the geotechnical engineer.
The civil engineering plans show 10 or 11 buildings that range up to almost 1.1 million square feet.
The 10 largest buildings range from 126,080 to 1,061,760 square feet. An 11th that is shown on one plan is 41,400 square feet.
In emails and statements since Jan. 24, Saxum said it was working on the project with KABR Group, a private equity real estate firm based in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey.
Through Arnold Road PropCo LLC, Saxum bought the land from Laurens Street LLC, which state records show is led by Michael Braren.
Saxum paid almost $14.5 million on Dec. 9 for two parcels at Arnold Road and Gold Star Parkway it bought from a Ponte Vedra Beach owner.
Saxum registered Arnold Road PropCo LLC with the state in November 2022.
The land is north of Jacksonville International Airport and west of Interstate 95. It is about 3 miles west of an intersection with Pecan Park Road.
Saxum said the property benefits from access and proximity to I-95, the airport and Jacksonville Port Authority terminals.
“Saxum and KABR are evaluating several options for the developable portion of the property including industrial use to support the continued growth of container volume at JAXPORT and the increased focus on freight at the Jacksonville International Airport,” the Saxum statement said in January.
“The project plans to address the undersupply of new, Class A industrial space, which is required to support the significant growth of logistics demand in the market.”
Saxum says its partnership with KABR “aligns one of the preeminent industrial and logistics developers in the nation with a proven developer that has over a decade of experience owning, operating, and developing in Jacksonville as well as other prominent East Coast markets.”
Saxum said the property’s zoning allows uses permitted under a 2009 planned unit development.
Ordinance 2009-153-E, enacted by City Council on March 10, 2009, rezones 1,013 acres that include that land bought by Saxum.
The legislation allows permitted uses and permissible uses by exception in an industrial light zoning district.
“We have engaged several consultants including (a) civil engineer and are evaluating several different layouts and options for the site,” the company said.
Deno Hicks of River North Strategies, a government relations and business development firm, is providing due diligence support services.
On June 8, 2023, the Jacksonville Planning Commission approved a minor modification to the PUD to revise the parking and bicycle ratio and substitute the site plan.
The Jacksonville-based Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow law firm was the agent.
The parking analysis refers to the Baron Land Industrial Center PUD.
“We closed on this land in December, and are working through our long term vision for the site, which will align with the in-place PUD Industrial Zoning,” said Saxum Principal Matthew Wassel by email Jan. 24.
“At this point, we are still working through our planning,” he said.
Arnold Road PropCo was registered with the state Nov. 16. It is led by President Anthony Rinaldi, who is the founder and managing principal of Saxum.
England-Thims & Miller submitted a service availability request to city utility JEA on Jan. 16 for what is called Arnold Road Industrial Park.
Saxum and KABR are active in the market.
“Saxum and KABR are both committed to the City of Jacksonville and continue to look for additional investment opportunities,” Saxum said in January.
Saxumre.com says Saxum’s national portfolio and development pipeline includes industrial, multifamily, office, mixed-use and student housing assets.
KABR Group is active in Jacksonville with The Klotz Group of Companies.
Saxum currently is developing a 334,022-square-foot cold-storage space and freezer facility in Imeson International Industrial Park in North Jacksonville.
The city approved a permit April 6 for Saxum Real Estate to build the refrigerated warehouse at a cost of $60.77 million in Imeson International Industrial Park in North Jacksonville.
Primus Builders Inc. of Woodstock, Georgia, is the contractor for the food distribution facility on 32.37 acres at 9765 N. Main St., at North Main Street and Van Dyck Road.
Saxum Real Estate, Arcadia Cold Storage & Logistics and Primus Builders Inc. hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking in April.