A new logistics park is under construction at the corner of Lem Turner Road and Interstate 295. l Cushman & Wakefield.
Published on May 17, 2024 at 3:25 pm
Q. A Jacksonville Today reader, Judy J., wanted to know what’s under construction at the corner of Lem Turner Road and Interstate 295 in Northwest Jacksonville.
“There is a big land clearing east of Lem Turner and north of I-295. What is going in there?”
A. It’s a business park called Airport 295 Logistics Park. The complex is under construction on 42 acres there.
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Building plans show the park will consist of three buildings with a total of 499,000 square feet of space. Two of the buildings will be 32 feet high and the third 36 feet. The buildings will have the capability to house one or multiple tenants, and they can be designed to meet a particular company’s needs.
The site is being developed by Seefried, an Atlanta-based developer, and marketed by Cushman & Wakefield. Records from the Duval County Property Appraiser’s Office show Seefried bought the land for more than $3.4 million in August 2023.
The logistics park is expected to open between October and December this year.
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Jacksonville Today reached out to the developers multiple times but did not hear back.
James Simak, professor at the Jacksonville University College of Business, said these types of logistics parks can attract many types of businesses, including retailers like Amazon, Wal-Mart or Target, along with manufacturing companies, pharmaceutical companies and automotive supply businesses.
Simak said the area of Lem Turner Road and I-295 is attractive for businesses because it’s close to airports, seaports and highways to distribute goods across the area.
“I do think this development should not surprise anyone. It leverages the area’s transportation infrastructure, which we’ve made significant improvements in and continue to do,” Simak said. “It’ll provide economic benefits to both the business tenants and the broader community here in Northeast Florida.”
The benefits, Simak said, include local economic growth and a larger tax base.
These types of logistics parks are becoming a trend not just in Jacksonville but the entire United States. Simak said logistics parks have boomed as people order more goods online.
“The business model for retail, wholesale and logistics in general has changed dramatically, right?” Simak said. “So we want to be able to order whatever it is, product X, whether it’s paper towels or Diet Coke or organic chicken breasts, and we want that stuff delivered. We want to order it online and have it delivered same day. So I do think this is a precursor or prerequisite to the future we all want and like and will demand.”
