The Jacksonville Aviation Authority unanimously approved a ground lease May 20 for a Wawa gas station and convenience store on about 3.4 acres of undeveloped land in North Jacksonville.
The site is near the Pecan Park Road entrance to an Amazon fulfillment 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, which is owned by JAA near Jacksonville International Airport.
JAA board member Andy Hofheimer expressed optimism about the project.
“If you can top off your gas and get something to eat, it’s a home run,” he said.
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.
The city issued a mobility fee calculation certificate, determining a fee of $459,708 to offset development impacts. The certificate is dated July 27, 2023.
Wawa revealed its interest in Northeast Florida in January 2016 as part of its broader expansion into the state.
In a June 2016 presentation in Clay County, Wawa outlined plans to penetrate North Florida with at least 30 locations, with potential for further expansion depending on customer demand. John Poplawski, vice president of real estate, projected Northeast Florida as a market for at least 30 stores, possibly expanding to 40 or more.