The Jacksonville Aviation Authority is seeking City Council approval to rezone more than 2,000 acres near Jacksonville International Airport for a two-phase, mixed-use development called JAX Commerce Center.
The property is at northwest Interstate 95 and I-295.
One area of the development, called JAX Commerce Center North on the master plan, is at Pecan Park Road and International Airport Boulevard. The other area, JAX Commerce Center South, is south of it, along International Airport Boulevard north of I-295.
JAA wants to rezone the 2,014 acres for a planned unit development to include commercial, flex industrial, hotel and specialty entertainment.
According to the PUD description filed with the Council, JAA plans for 472,500 square feet of office space, 5,311,660 square feet of light industrial space, 1,107,850 square feet of commercial, retail and service uses and 516 hotel rooms.
“While the very nature of airports limits certain types of land uses in and around them, other land uses are particularly conducive to sitting in the airport environment,” the PUD description says.
“These include uses which support light industrial/warehousing and commercial activities.”
The development is designed in two phases.
Phase one is 2020-27. It comprises 255,000 square feet of office space, 2,870,370 square feet of light industrial, 791,140 square feet of retail use and 516 hotel rooms.
Phase two runs from 2028-38 and would include the remaining 217,500 square feet of office space, 2,441,290 square feet of light industrial use and 316,710 square feet of retail space.
Prosser Inc. is the project architect, planner and engineer. JAA is the developer.
There are two parcels in JAX Commerce Center North designated for recreational or specialty entertainment.
Specialty entertainment could allow the construction of an arena, athletic fields, commercial indoor recreational facilities, a golf course, motocross or a recreational race track, among other uses.
There also is designated wetland space throughout both developments.
JAX Commerce Center North is across Pecan Park Road from the Bainebridge Estates and Lexington Park housing developments.
JAX Commerce Center South is near the Pecan Park Road Amazon.com fulfillment and distribution center, along with several other warehouse facilities. There is residential development across I-295 to the south.
The PUD description says the zoning allows “for a gradual transition of intensity” from residential developments, the airport and business parks surrounding the development.
The Jacksonville Planning Commission will consider the rezoning, Ordinance 2020-0658, at its Nov. 19 meeting.
