Atlanta-based Rooker has modified the size of its proposed warehouse on Jacksonville Aviation Authority surplus industrial property in North Jacksonville, and the structure could be the start of a company trend.
“We hope that this will be the first building of many with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority,” said Rooker Vice President Cason Bufe on Oct. 24.
JEA issued a service availability letter Oct. 23 for Rooker to develop a 264,000-square-foot warehouse along Wheels Road, which connects to Duval Road at northwest Interstate 95 and I-295. The site is near Jacksonville International Airport.
JEA previously issued a letter for a 288,000-square-foot warehouse on the site.
“We modified our design to make the site plan more efficient,” Bufe said.
He said Rooker is designing the building and moving through permitting.
“We could start building construction in 2024 if we determine that market conditions are favorable,” he said.
Bufe said the property is about 22 acres.
“We started discussions with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority back in 2021. We have been interested in developing one or more buildings on their surplus land since that time,” he said.
The site also is near the Jacksonville International Tradeport business and industrial park.
“It is a proven location for Class-A industrial. The Jacksonville International Tradeport has been a high-performing industrial park for many years, but it is fully built-out,” Bufe said.
JEA received a service availability request in October 2022 for the 288,000-square-foot industrial building.
“We are considering the site for a speculative industrial development similar to the buildings we have developed at Perimeter West industrial park,” Bufe said by email Oct. 8, 2022.
Rooker, a full-service real estate development firm, is developing Perimeter West at northeast I-295 and Pritchard Road.
Warehouses are in demand in Jacksonville.
Area market reports for the third quarter show vacancy rates of 4% to 4.9% as of Sept. 30. While those rates have been rising, real estate companies say demand continues.