Cecil Airport expects 2021 completion of air traffic tower and spaceport center

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority said Wednesday it expects to complete a new air traffic control tower and spaceport operations center at Cecil Airport in early 2021.

JAA CEO Mark VanLoh said the construction coincides with the 20th anniversary this year of the transition from NAS Cecil Field to Cecil Airport.

“We look forward to providing an outstanding new facility to serve the industry leaders who operate at Cecil and advance our region’s reputation for world-class aviation and aerospace opportunities,” VanLoh said in a news release.

At a cost of $8.9 million, the tower will be funded by JAA and matching Florida Department of Transportation and Space Florida funding. 

The contractor is Walbridge Southeast LLC.

JAA said the current tower’s view of the airport is partially obstructed by newer hangars, but in the new tower, air traffic controllers will have unimpeded views of 6,000 acres, including the new Fire Station 73. 

The current tower will be removed when the new tower is operational.

The spaceport operation center and mission control will house telemetry and weather monitoring equipment to support Cecil Spaceport, the release said.

Cecil Spaceport is the first FAA-licensed horizontal launch commercial spaceport on the East Coast and the eighth to be licensed in the United States, according to JAA.

The authority plans a commissioning ceremony near the time of the project completion.