Cecil Commerce Center
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Cecil Commerce Center (CCC) is located in Jacksonville, Florida on the site of the former Naval Air Station Cecil Field. The base opened in 1941 and closed in 1999 following the 1993 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision. Covering a total area of 22,939 acres (92.8 km²), it was the largest military base in the Jacksonville area. [1] It is a significant, long-term development asset for the City of Jacksonville. The parcel contains more than 3% of the total land area in Duval County (17,000 acres). It is one of the most desirable locations in the Southeast for aeronautical, manufacturing, supply chain logistics and industrial end users. The industrial and commercial-zoned center offers mid to large-size parcels for development. It has excellent transportation and utility infrastructure and Cecil Field has the third-longest runway in Florida. [2] In December, 2006, McCallum Sweeney, a prominent site selection consultant, announced the certification of a 1,300-acre (5.3 km²) site at Cecil Commerce Center as an official "Megasite". The designation is made for a large industrial property qualified to support a major automotive manufacturing facility or similar operation. CCC joins an elite group of eight sites in the Southern United States which have met the program's high standards. [3]
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[edit] History
Naval Air Station Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Florida was recommended for closure by the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission in July, 1993. The Mayor of Jacksonville established the Cecil Field Development Commission, succeeded by the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC), to develop a proposed base reuse plan that would guide the transition from a fully-operational Navy base to civilian use. The NAS Cecil Field Final Base Reuse Plan was approved in 1996, and the Jacksonville City Council approved the Cecil Commerce Center Operations and Business Plan in March, 1999. Between July 1999 and April 2002, property was conveyed to the JEDC, JAA, the City of Jacksonville Parks Department and Clay County for property that extended across the county line. Since the conveyance of approximately 8,300 acres (34 km²), the JEDC has promoted the site as a prime location for companies in the manufacturing, aviation-related and distribution industries, as well as retail and office space along the primary access roads.
[edit] Recreation
The City of Jacksonville acquired more than 4,000 acres (16 km²) of the northern portion of Cecil Commerce Center for recreational use. A portion of this area, which will be limited to hiking, horseback riding trails, camping, hunting and fishing, is part of a larger natural wildlife preservation corridor connecting Jennings State Forest in Clay County with Cary State Forest north of Cecil Commerce Center. Approximately 900 acres (3.6 km²) are designated for active recreation including several tournament level playing fields, sports complexes, playgrounds, open play field areas, a community center, a park maintenance facility, an aquatics center and an equestrian center. The Fiddlers Green golf course is open for public use.
[edit] Current Developments
- Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire LLC purchased 63.3 acres in Cecil Commerce Center North and broke ground August 21, 2007 on a 1,000,000-square-foot (93,000 m²) distribution center. The new facility will employ 250 when completed in 2008 and represents a private capital investment of $44 million.
- The new Branan Field-Chaffee Expressway and I-10 interchange is under construction. This $60.8 million project will provide direct interstate access to Cecil Commerce Center.
- Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ) completed a new, 44,000-square-foot (4,100 m²) center in Cecil Commerce Center North. Classes include General Education, Business, Child Care and Adult Education.
- FlightStar, a heavy aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contractor, added 150 employees, nearly doubling their existing workforce at Cecil Commerce Center South.
[edit] Current Businesses
In 2007, there are more than 2,400 jobs with companies located at Cecil Commerce Center, including: • Air Kaman of Jacksonville/Signature FBO • Air One FBO, LLC • Boeing • Capstone Golf • Civil Air Patrol • Dept of Homeland Security – U.S. Customs • Division of Forestry – State of Florida • FCCJ – Aviation Center of Excellence • FCCJ – New Cecil Center • Flightstar Aircraft Services • Florida Army National Guard • Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission • Information Spectrum, Inc./Anteon • Internext Group/Cecil Pines • Jacksonville Aviation Authority • Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department • Jacksonville Sheriffs Office • JEA • Jet Turbine Services • Logistic Services International (LSI) • M & T Co./CDI • NADEP • Northrop Grumman • Other DoD Activities – Navy Env • Resource Consultants, Inc. • SEMCOR/Titan • Stanley Associates, Inc. • Symphony Flight School/Sales • United States Coast Guard • United States Post Office • VT Griffin Services • Vystar Credit Union
[edit] Utilities infrastructure
More than $120 million has been spent on infrastructure improvements and site readiness by local, state and federal entities. The Center has industrial scale underground utilities, and is adjacent to a JEA regional water treatment facility and well field.
[edit] Transportation infrastructure
[edit] Aviation
Cecil Field contains two sets of parallel runways. One of the north/south runways is 12,500 feet (3,800 m) and the other is 8,000 feet (2,400 m). The east/west runways are both 8,000 feet (2,400 m). Airport facilities include 537,000 square yards of apron, 8 hangars and 150,000+ ft2 of office space. Cecil Field is ideal for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations and other aviation-related industrial and commercial development. The Jacksonville Aviation Authority operates four airports in Jacksonville, of which Cecil Field is one.
[edit] Deep Water Port
As a major Florida port for international trade and cargo transportation, the Jacksonville Port Authority owns and operates three marine terminals on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida including Blount Island Marine Terminal, Tallyrand Marine Terminal and Dames Point Marine Terminal.
[edit] Roadways
The Center is adjacent to Interstate 10. Interstate 295, 7 miles (11 km) east of Cecil, provides access to Interstate 95 which accesses all major areas along the eastern coast of the United States. Interstate 295 also connects with State Road 9A providing quick access to Jacksonville's Blount Island Marine Terminal. Interstate 75 is 50 miles (80 km) to the west via Interstate 10. Construction of a new interchange at Interstate 10 began in 2007. The Branan Field-Chaffee Expressway will provide direct access to the Commerce Center when it is completed in 2009.
[edit] Rail
The region is served by an extensive railway system, which includes CSX, Florida East Coast and the Norfolk and Southern Railway Company. Cecil Commerce Center has access to the railway via CSX tracks just north of I-10 giving tenants at the Center three commercial railways. There is an unused rail bed which extends into the northern portion of Cecil Commerce Center which could be reactivated and extended. CSX's Baldwin classification yard is less than five miles (8 km) from the Center, assuring quality local service.
