A year after Jacksonville Aviation Authority approval for a ground lease, the city issued three permits May 13 for Wawa to build a gas station and convenience store near the Amazon fulfillment center and Jacksonville International Airport in North Jacksonville.
A.T. Construction Management Inc. of Seminole is the contractor for the project, comprising a 6,119-square-foot building, a 6,090-square-foot canopy over the fueling stations and a dumpster enclosure at 12654 Pecan Park Road.
The job costs total $1.075 million.
The city issued a site-clearing permit Feb. 24 at a project cost of $45,000.
Total site improvement costs totaled $1.66 million as of March 5, according to the city.
JAA board members unanimously approved a ground lease May 20, 2024, for Wawa on about 3.4 acres of undeveloped land.
The site is about a half-mile northeast of Interstate 295. Duval Road turns into International Airport Boulevard north of Pecan Park Road.
Pennsylvania-based Wawa plans to build the store in JAX Commerce Centre South, which is owned by JAA near Jacksonville International Airport.
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 the earlier of either the day Wawa opens; 240 days after receiving all permits and approvals; or two years after execution of the lease.
JAA will oversee the completion of a Federal Aviation Administration-mandated environmental assessment and pay a commission to CBRE, which initiated discussions about the deal in July 2021.
Wawa entered the Jacksonville market in 2017 and engaged CBRE to scout sites. An initial nonbinding letter of intent between JAA and Wawa was signed in November 2021 for a location in JAX Commerce Center South.
JAA management recommended board approval of the ground lease agreement, empowering JAA CEO Mark VanLoh to finalize the deal.
Cuhaci & Peterson Architects of Maitland is consulting on the project.
Jacksonville-based England-Thims & Miller Inc. is the civil engineer.
Wawa has at least 23 stores open in Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties, with more locations in review or under construction.
Wawa opened its first three area stores – one in Clay County and two in Duval – at year-end 2017.
The company said then it envisioned Northeast Florida as a 30- to 40-store market.
Staff writer J. Brooks Terry contributed to this report.