b'76 JKAHANGARS Southwest Hangar Complexat Gulf Shores Intl is Full BY NICOLE NELSONIf Gulf Shores International Airportarea. Suddenly, sites at JKAs new (JKA) were a hotel, managementhangar complex become a sought-after could hang up a No Vacancycommodity. The project envisioned in sign regarding its available hangar space. lean economic times was in place to Airport Directorsignificantly change the airports fortunes Justin Fletcher proudlytoday, Fletcher explains. reports that all 13 sitesToday, the complex has nearlyof JKAs Southwest129,000 square feet of hangar andCorporate Hangaroffice space that all sprang up in theComplex are filled.last six or seven years.Tetelestai AviationThe Southwest Corporate Hangar FACTS&FIGURESsnagged the last oneJUSTIN FLETCHER Complex has been a significant improvement Project: Southwest Corporate Hangar Complex Lease Outwhen it signed a 20- to the airports revenue budget, says year lease agreement last June. Fletcher. It has increased the amount of Location: Gulf Shores Intl Airport (in AL)Airport Authority: Gulf Shores Airport Authority Leasing the last parcel was anbased aircraft that operate here in Gulf important milestone for the AlabamaShores, and the amount of development Scope: Proprietary mixed-use development with 13airport also known as Jack Edwards Field.interest has increased exponentially.corporate box hangars & 3 T hangar complexes ranging inThe project as a whole was conceived size from 60 x 60 sq. ft. to 100 x 100 sq. ft. early in the Great Recession of 2008. AfterPrimitive Parcel to Fruitful Footprint: 24 acres with parcels ranging from .75 -1 acrethe associated infrastructure was in place,DevelopmentTotal Leased Space: 128,960 sq. ft. the Gulf Shores Airport Authority didntPrior to 2008, all of JKAs leasing activity Planning: 2008-2010 get many inquiries from potential tenantswas relegated to the northwest corner Construction: 2010-2011 for many years, and the land prepared forof the airfield. But Russ Kilgore, airport First Lease: 2011 development sat vacant.director at the time, started coordinating Final Lease: 2023 Then, the economic winds shifted.with the FAA Southern Regional Airports Sample Tenants: Gulf Air Center; Sky Warrior FlightThe Gulf Shores area experienced aDivision to determine the next phase of Training; Tetelestai Aviation boom, and businesses flocked to thedevelopment.May | June 2024AirportImprovement.com'