Submitted By: Matthew Grow
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Presentation By: Matthew Grow
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Department: Aviation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve Letter of Intent with Burrell Aviation Ocala, LLC to develop 70 acres of aviation property at the Ocala International Airport
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Fiscally Sustainable, Economic Hub
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
Burrell is a development group based in Aspen, Colorado. Burrell is a holdings company of individually held companies focused on medical education, financial services, commercial and residential real estate, warehouse and storage development, natural resource development, and others.
In early 2021, Burrell engaged with the Mayernick Group, which provides full-service government relations out of Tallahassee. Mayernick approached the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) inquiring about airports suitable for Burrell’s development initiatives.
Burrell envisions an opportunity to expand their footprint through airport development. Utilizing investment dollars through the Burrell Group and institutional lenders, plus grant money from the FDOT, they are looking at 13 Florida airports (choosing one or all), to create a campus serving Air Cargo, Cold Storage, Private Hangars, Aircraft Maintenance, an FBO, and off runway distribution.
Their interest in Ocala stems from the vast amount of land available for their development aspirations. Since May 2021, Burrell has hired the consulting firm Kimley Horn to provide airport specific preliminary site plan sketches, conducted soil investigations and surveyed the property for legal descriptions. As stated in the letter of intent (LOI), the document outlines the broad framework of the proposed lease and transaction. If no ground lease is finalized within 90 days, either party can terminate the LOI. The LOI also prevents the City of Ocala from engaging with other entities for the same property.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Development is consistent with the Airport Master and Layout Plans.
Airport Advisory Board fully supports this development proposal.
The development requires construction of Taxiway C and associated aprons.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no financial transactions as part of the LOI.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
N/A.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The LOI has been reviewed and approved for form and legality by the City Attorney, Robert W. Batsel, Jr.
ALTERNATIVE:
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Deny