As Southeast Toyota Distributors expanded its vehicle processing operations across the Southeast, JE Dunn partnered with the owner and the Jacksonville Port Authority to deliver a centralized, high-capacity campus capable of supporting increased volumes, tighter logistics demands, and evolving vehicle technologies. Serving as construction manager at‑risk, JE Dunn worked alongside project stakeholders from the outset to translate a bold operational vision into a resilient, purpose-built facility within the constraints of an active, secured port environment.
Located on an 88‑acre site at JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal, the campus includes nine buildings totaling more than 380,000 square feet. At its core is a 272,000‑square‑foot Accessory Installation Building where vehicles are inspected, accessorized, and prepared for delivery to 177 dealerships across the Southeast. Now fully operational, the facility is designed to process up to 4,000 vehicles per week, establishing a new standard for port‑based automotive logistics in the region.
“From the very beginning, it was clear that JE Dunn was the right partner for us.”
-Ray Natour, Vice President, Vehicle Processing & Logistics | Southeast Toyota Distributors
From the beginning, Southeast Toyota Distributors made their priorities clear: the new campus needed to streamline vehicle flow, reduce handling time, and support long‑term operational growth, while also reflecting the company’s commitment to the associates who power daily operations.
JE Dunn partnered with the owner and design team to align construction strategies with these goals. The resulting design features a raised office and amenity mezzanine overlooking the processing floor, reinforcing visibility and connection between leadership and operations. The mezzanine includes a full cafeteria, training and conference spaces, locker rooms, and a fitness center. Across the site, support buildings, expansive staging and parking areas, internal circulation roads, and coordinated lighting infrastructure work together to keep vehicles moving efficiently from arrival to distribution.
“Our number one asset is our associates…JE Dunn interviewed our associates and engineers to truly understand why certain things mattered. That made a difference.”
Delivering a large industrial facility inside an active, secured port environment required early coordination, disciplined planning, and constant collaboration. The site’s location within JAXPORT’s Blount Island Marine Terminal introduced security protocols and operational constraints that complicated workforce access, material delivery, and construction sequencing.
JE Dunn worked closely with JAXPORT and project stakeholders to develop a dedicated construction access strategy that maintained port security while enabling efficient mobilization and uninterrupted progress. Below grade, poor soil conditions and Florida’s climate presented additional challenges. JE Dunn coordinated early ground improvement using controlled modulus columns and carefully sequenced sitework to minimize exposure to seasonal rain and mitigate schedule risk.
The project also required the installation of embedded rail infrastructure; demanding precise coordination between civil, structural, and utility teams. Through proactive planning and alignment across disciplines, JE Dunn ensured grading, utilities, and concrete placement met tight tolerances critical to long‑term campus performance.
“They [JE Dunn] never present problems without potential solutions. That level of empathy and partnering is rare.”
JE Dunn utilized a phased CM-at-Risk strategy, segmenting the work into several guaranteed maximum price packages to provide schedule flexibility and maintain cost transparency.
This structure allowed early sitework, foundations, and long‑lead procurement to move forward while design continued; maintaining schedule momentum while providing cost transparency and control on a complex industrial program.
As early estimates exceeded the owner’s target, JE Dunn led collaborative value engineering workshops with the owner and design team, identifying opportunities to optimize structural systems and eliminate scope redundancies. These efforts reduced overall project costs by approximately $2.5 million without compromising performance, durability, or operational goals.
Early involvement also helped avoid unnecessary costs associated with building inside a secured port. By partnering with JAXPORT and federal stakeholders to establish a dedicated construction access point, the team eliminated the need for TWIC credentials for all workers, saving weeks of administrative time and thousands of dollars in credentialing costs while maintaining strict port security requirements.
When nationwide supply chain disruptions delayed delivery of critical Starline electrical bus plug components, JE Dunn worked directly with the manufacturer to implement a temporary, code compliant solution. This proactive approach minimized schedule impacts, reduced the risk of extended general conditions costs, and allowed Southeast Toyota to begin operational testing ahead of full component delivery.
Through disciplined planning, transparent collaboration, and proactive cost management, JE Dunn delivered the project below the original budget, reinforcing the value of CM‑at‑Risk delivery on complex, high constraint industrial facilities.
“JE Dunn helped us create clear project goals and made sure every decision was looked at through those goals, and through our associates.”
Safety remained a constant focus throughout construction, particularly given the challenges of working within an active port environment. JE Dunn implemented a site-specific safety program supported by comprehensive onboarding, daily pre‑task planning, and weekly all‑hands safety meetings.
Thoughtful site planning, clearly defined work zones, and designated circulation paths supported safe movement of people, vehicles, and equipment across the processing floor. Over more than 518,000 worker hours, the project experienced zero lost‑time incidents.
“Safety was something I heard from JE Dunn from the very beginning, and it’s what helped me say, ‘This is the right company.’”
Sustainability was integrated into both design and construction decisions. Stormwater is captured and reused for vehicle wash operations and irrigation, reducing potable water demand. High efficiency LED lighting with daylight and occupancy controls, along with energy‑efficient HVAC systems, support both comfort and performance across the campus.
JE Dunn collaborated with the project team to select durable, low‑impact materials, including concrete mixes with supplementary cementitious materials and regionally sourced steel. The campus was also designed with future adaptability in mind—allowing for expanded electric vehicle infrastructure and potential solar integration as automotive technologies continue to evolve.
![Delivered below the original budget, the Southeast Toyota Distributors Vehicle Processing Center at JAXPORT establishes a new benchmark for port‑based automotive logistics in the Southeast. By consolidating operations into a single, integrated campus, the facility improves throughput, reduces internal handling, and supports nearly 1,000 jobs in the Jacksonville region. As the world’s largest independent distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, the facility is designed to process over 4,000 vehicles per week. [CLIENT TESTIMONIAL] “It wasn’t JE Dunn working on a project and Southeast Toyota working on a project — it was us working together.”](https://jedunn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/se-toyota-jaxport-exterior-parking-lot-300x222.jpg "- JE Dunn Construction")
Delivered below the original budget, the Southeast Toyota Distributors Vehicle Processing Center at JAXPORT establishes a new benchmark for port‑based automotive logistics in the Southeast. By consolidating operations into a single, integrated campus, the facility improves throughput, reduces internal handling, and supports nearly 1,000 jobs in the Jacksonville region.
For Southeast Toyota Distributors, the project provides a scalable, people focused environment designed to support current operations while remaining flexible for future growth. For JE Dunn, it reflects the strength of collaborative partnerships, disciplined delivery, and the ability to navigate complex industrial projects in highly constrained environments.
It’s not just about what we build, it’s how we build. Learn how JE Dunn partners with owners to deliver complex industrial facilities with confidence and certainty of results.
“It wasn’t JE Dunn working on a project and Southeast Toyota working on a project — it was us working together.”
