The FCE isn't going to greatly enhance or detract from its potential as a distribution center. On second thought, it's probably not a good idea for it to develop to a certain level (say... Edge City status). Those 12,000' long runways need to be protected from sprawl, for it to reach it's ultimate potential as an aerospace center.
Man, I just love this comment. What was I saying about being completely dismissive? Of the Westside? Its "ultimate potential as an aerospace center," Ennis? For real?
That's your primary thought concerning Cecil Commerce?
Somehow, I think the folks at AllianceFlorida, Hillwood, and the Ross Perot companies are marketing the location and framing it in the context of Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Tampa and Miami. And the roads leading from those locations to the Westside of Jacksonville. Jacksonville is central in that circle that loops to those cities. And is finishing a network of roads that allows your transportation business to completely avoid the gridlock of Jax roadways
inside the 295 Beltway.
Aerospace ain't the major focus, my man. It's a hoped-for major plus that Jacksonville would love but isn't banking on. Just a wild guess (after viewing some of their materials, of course).
And that tax base they're going to develop
way out there towards Baldwin? It's going to seriously supplement the urban core. Cecil Commerce is perhaps
the biggest economic development project in Duval County.
JAXPORT Vison: Northeast Florida will be a principal hub of the nation’s global logistics, trade and transportation network
JAXPORT Mission: Creating jobs and opportunity by offering the most competitive environment for the movement of cargo and people
If you don't understand the importance of the First Coast Expressway in this, you're not objectively paying attention IMHO. The consistent bitching about the First Coast Expressway is shortsighted in the extreme, and that isn't even a close call.