The Boeing Co. scheduled a ribbon-cutting and open house Sept. 28 for its Boeing Jacksonville Training Systems Center of Excellence in West Jacksonville.
The aerospace company developed the 23,000-square-foot center at 6225 Lake Gray Blvd.
Chicago-based Boeing said Sept. 22 that the new virtual maintenance training center for military aircraft, including the U.S. Navy’s P-8 fleet based in Florida, “increases Boeing’s competitive edge while serving the Navy’s mission-ready requirements.”
The city issued a permit March 22 for Tenant Contractors Inc. to renovate the space at a cost of $400,000, although at the time Boeing did not announce the functions it will serve at the Southwest Jacksonville location.
Boeing said that in addition to P-8 and F/A-18 virtual maintenance and engineering simulators, the renovated facility includes four conference rooms and two classrooms.
“With this opening, Boeing is expected to add new P-8 aircrew trainer positions in Jacksonville,” it said.
The event is 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Boeing says that as a global aerospace company, it develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.
The Meek Companies of Jacksonville manages the Lake Gray property. Craig Meek of The Meek Companies said previously that CBRE First Vice President Bruce Jackson represented the landlord in the transaction.
A group of investors owns Lake Gray Plaza through Montreal-based Lake Gray Plaza LLC.
Meek said the Boeing lease will bring the 100,000-square-foot business complex to full occupancy.
Boeing issued a statement Feb 4:
“In the Jacksonville area, specifically Cecil Airport and Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Boeing supports the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy with maintenance, repair and overhaul work as well as comprehensive training for various aircraft and products so they meet mission requirements.”
NAS Jacksonville and Cecil Airport are in West Jacksonville.
Boeing said that in Jacksonville it developed and supports the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Training Facility at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
It also said teams at Boeing Cecil Field support the F/A-18 A-D Hornet, F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
On Dec. 17, Boeing and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority announced an agreement for a new hangar and office space at Cecil Airport that eventually will replace the existing Boeing Cecil Field site footprint.
According to the news release, Boeing entered into a 25-year lease agreement with the aviation authority to increase its maintenance, repair and overhaul operations at its Cecil Field site at Cecil Airport.
It anticipates a start date of operations in January 2024.
On July 27, the Jacksonville City Council awarded The Boeing Co. a $425,000 city infrastructure grant to support the company’s $116.5 million plan to expand its maintenance, repair and operations hangar at Cecil Airport.
The Council approved the grant to assist Boeing on an estimated $3 million in infrastructure expenditures for the project over three years.