City Council Pushes Major Charter Changes at Jacksonville Aviation Authority

(JACKSONVILLE) The Jacksonville City Council is moving to rewrite the Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s charter, aiming to speed economic growth tied to Cecil Field and other aviation assets while staying within strict federal rules on airport money. Council Vice President Nick Howland has emerged as the face of the effort, shifting from seeking direct funding for city programs to proposing governance changes that he says would support jobs and training, with “No dollars involved” at this stage. The push comes as the Jacksonville Aviation Authority advances some of the largest projects in its history.

Charter rewrite push and federal guardrails

At the center is a clear legal line: under federal aviation law, airport revenue must be used only for airport purposes. JAA leaders and federal officials reiterated that boundary after debates in 2024, and the city’s Office of General Counsel backed the view that diverting airport funds to unrelated city uses would likely violate federal rules.

City lawmakers say the new charter ideas are designed to work inside those limits, though some members still hope broader fiscal changes could follow later, subject to legal review. The Council’s Finance Committee is preparing to take up the proposals.

Any change will need to align with the Federal Aviation Administration’s revenue-use rules, which are detailed by the FAA here: https://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_compliance/airport_revenue.

For now, discussions focus on governance paths that could help the city and JAA coordinate on workforce development, industrial site readiness, and research partnerships without risking FAA findings or penalties. Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes airport authorities across the U.S. face similar constraints when local officials consider charter adjustments.

City Council President Kevin Carrico also reopened talks with JAA CEO Mark VanLoh on a possible runway extension at Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport (JAXEX). That idea previously drew environmental concerns and public pushback. Those headwinds remain, and momentum is currently paused, people involved in the discussions said.

Key legal constraint: airport cash and assets must advance airport operations, safety, or aviation development — anything outside that scope risks violating FAA revenue-use rules.

Major aviation, space, and industrial projects underway

JAA’s buildout is accelerating across multiple fronts. Below is a breakdown of the major projects, timelines, and financial elements.

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

• Construction underway on Concourse B adding 6 gates to the current 20.
• A third parking garage is being built at an estimated cost of $90 million.
• Target completion: end of 2026.

Michael Stewart, JAA’s vice president of external affairs, said the expansion responds to population and business growth across Northeast Florida rather than simply adding flights. More gates and structured parking are expected to improve on-time performance and reduce peak-hour congestion.

Cecil Airport / Cecil Field

• JAA approved a landmark $400 million deal with Otto Aviation for a jet manufacturing plant.
• Package highlights:
  • $22.5 million for site preparation
  • Rent abatements and other credits totaling more than $12 million
• Supporters include JAA Board Chair Michelle Barnett, CEO Mark VanLoh, Mayor Donna Deegan, and JAXUSA President Aundra Wallace.
• Otto’s Phantom 3500 aircraft is promoted as using 60% less fuel with 92% lower emissions than comparable jets — an environmental pitch that aligns with scrutiny of aviation growth.

Space activity at Cecil Spaceport

• On August 7, 2025, the JAA Board unanimously approved pursuing a federal reentry license for Cecil Spaceport and building a dedicated space vehicle facility.
• Intended uses:
  • Biomedical research (Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is a named partner)
  • Commercial missions
  • National security work
• Partners identified: State Rep. Kim Kendall, Space Florida, and the Florida Department of Transportation.
• Funding note: officials cited available funding including a $10 million grant tied to Intuitive Machines.

Industrial development near Jacksonville International

• On August 7, 2025, the board approved a 30-year ground lease with VanTrust Real Estate for 75 acres north of the terminal.
• Project specifics:
  • 727,500 sq. ft. Class A building, expandable by 264,500 sq. ft.
  • Starting annual rent: $902,563
  • Rent increases: 15% every five years
• Market watchers say the deal could shift warehouse and light-industrial pricing and attract users seeking airport access.

Airport Commerce Center & zoning

• JAA granted a nonexclusive easement to Flint Development for the 316-acre Airport Commerce Center site west of I-95, enabling roads and utilities.
• The Jacksonville City Council unanimously rezoned the property for light industrial use in November 2024, a step to attract logistics firms reliant on direct airport connectivity.

Governance, JAA structure, and contact

• The JAA board has 7 members:
  • 4 appointed by the Governor
  • 3 appointed by the Mayor
• Meetings: the board meets every other month at the JAA Administration Building.
• 2025 officers:
  • Chair: Michelle Barnett
  • Vice Chair: Matt Connell
  • Treasurer: Sol Brotman
  • Secretary: William Gulliford

Contact:
– JAA Executive Office: (904) 741-2013
– Official website: flyjacksonville.com

What’s at stake and next steps

For residents, employers, and travelers the implications are clear:

• If the Council and JAA align on governance that passes federal muster, the city could accelerate training pipelines and site-readiness near Cecil Field without risking airport funds or FAA action.
• For travelers, the extra gates and $90 million parking garage at JAX should ease peak-time backups by late 2026.
• For neighborhoods near JAXEX, any runway expansion will continue to draw questions about noise and environmental effects before it gains traction.

From a legal and financial perspective, the Council’s charter effort will likely hinge on whether proposed changes can be squared with FAA airport-purpose rules. JAA leaders have stressed that airport cash and land deals must advance airport operations, safety, or aviation development. That framework shapes how incentives—such as the $22.5 million in site prep for Otto Aviation—are structured and reviewed, and it explains why direct transfers to unrelated city programs are off the table.

Economically, the projects are expected to:
– Create thousands of jobs
– Attract more companies to Northeast Florida
– Build a multi-year pipeline across aviation, space, and industrial real estate

Specific timing to watch:
1. Council’s Finance Committee review of charter ideas — scheduled soon.
2. JAA terminal and garage projects — on track for end of 2026.
3. Otto Aviation plant and VanTrust facility — expected to break ground within the next two years.
4. Spaceport reentry license effort — underway following the August 7, 2025 vote.

Bottom line: federal rules are both the floor and ceiling for what the Jacksonville City Council can do with the JAA charter. That reality will shape every step at Cecil Field, JAX, and JAXEX in the months ahead.