Submitted By: Matthew Grow
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Presentation By: Matthew Grow
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Department: Aviation
FORMAL TITLE:
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Award of a 40-year Ground Lease Agreement to GLJ Aviation LLC
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence, Fiscally Sustainable
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
Released to the Public: 3/28/26
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BACKGROUND:
On March 28, 2024, the City advertised an opportunity to engage with parties qualified, capable, and willing to fund, design, develop, and operate a facility or enterprise that will serve or support operations at the Ocala International Airport in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration policies and Airport standards. The invitation to negotiate (ITN), ITN No. AIR/240448, stated that the City intended to enter negotiations with a developer, culminating in a 40-year lease of the subject property and addressing the parties' rights and obligations regarding the development of the subject City-owned property.
The solicitation closed on May 7, 2025. One response was received from GLJ Aviation LLC (the Developer). After reviewing the Developer's ITN response, the internal selection committee voted to recommend an award to GLJ Aviation LLC.
Using the lease agreement included in the ITN as the basis for negotiations, staff met with the Developer and agreed on the terms of the proposed long-term lease.
The "Hexaport," a hangar that was constructed in the early 1980s and leased to numerous entities over the years, recently had its 40-year ground lease expire. The property is currently on a month-to-month arrangement with the City and is wholly within the Option parcel identified in the proposed GLJ lease agreement. The City has long desired to redevelop the property, as the existing building configuration and operational use are not compatible with the larger aircraft activity surrounding the site. Staff has worked closely with the Hexaport occupants to facilitate an orderly and equitable transition. The GLJ lease allo...
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