Developer VanTrust Real Estate has filed plans to develop Jacksonville Aviation Authority property for an unidentified large-scale project.
It is called Project Viginti, which is Latin for 20.
An application for an environmental resource permit is under review with the St. Johns River Water Management District. Peacock Consulting Group LLC, of Jacksonville, is overseeing preliminary mapping and assessments, agency review related to wetlands related to the project and site mitigation.
VanTrust Real Estate also has a petition with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to determine the extent of wetlands at the 66.51-acre site north of an Amazon Distribution Center, about 2 miles south of Jacksonville International Airport.
The full-service real estate development company says it has developed more than 61 million square feet of office, industrial, multifamily, military, mixed-use, science and technology, and hospitality projects nationwide.
Local projects include the five-story, 160,196-square-foot Town Center One and the six-story, 223,962-square-foot Town Center Two office buildings near St. Johns Town Center, which it sold for $107.1 million in January 2020.
VanTrust Real Estate also developed the Imeson Park and Imeson Park South industrial parks in North Jacksonville, which include Amazon and Sam’s Club centers.
The JAA declined to discuss project specifics. VanTrust Real Estate has not returned calls or responded to emails seeking comment.
The company was founded in 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The VanTrust project is one of several in development on JAA property.
Rooker lease amendment
Atlanta-based Rooker is moving forward with plans to more than double the size of a proposed but delayed warehouse project on surplus JAA industrial property in North Jacksonville.
At its March 24 board meeting, the JAA board unanimously approved an amended lease agreement with the real estate developer to allow up to 650,000 square feet of Class A warehouse space, up from the previously approved 288,000 square feet.
The lease also increases the project from 24 to 89 acres, including associated parking, circulation roads, an access drive off Wheels Road, and stormwater control facilities within the premises.
City utility JEA issued a service availability letter April 4.
Rooker intends to develop the project through RP Perimeter West LLC. Its original ground lease was executed July 1, 2023.
Signature Aviation expansion
Fixed-base operator Signature Aviation JAX wants to expand in Jacksonville.
The city is reviewing plans for Signature to build a new aircraft hangar and office facility, including enclosed and unenclosed spaces for aircraft storage and administrative functions.
The 42,100-square-foot facility is planned on 3.56 acres of JAA-owned land at 14700 Yonge Drive at Jacksonville International Airport, just east of land leased by Signature JAX for seven buildings. The estimated project cost is $14.5 million.
In aviation, an FBO is a private terminal at an airport that provides services for private and corporate aircraft and their passengers, including fueling, maintenance, hangar space and amenities such as lounges and catering. Signature Aviation JAX also offers discounted hotel rates and rental car and shuttle service.
Wawa
JAA unanimously approved a ground lease May 20 for a Wawa gas station and convenience store on about 3.4 acres of undeveloped land owned by the authority.
The site is near the Pecan Park Road entrance of the Amazon Distribution Center. Duval Road turns into International Airport Boulevard north of Pecan Park Road. It is about a half-mile northeast of Interstate 295.
Pennsylvania-based Wawa plans to build a 6,119-square-foot store at 12654 Pecan Park Road in JAX Commerce Centre South.
According to lease terms, the agreement starts at $60,000 annually for the first five years, with incremental increases thereafter. Rent will adjust for years 21 and beyond.
Rent will start on the earlier of the day Wawa opens, 240 days after receiving all permits and approvals, or two years after the lease is executed.
As of April 11, a number of permits were issued or under review.
There are 14 Wawa locations in Jacksonville.