Sanders Capital Partners LLC, known as SCP, acquired three corporate hangars at Bessemer Municipal Airport for $1.3 million. The deal totals 49,160 square feet and the space is fully leased.
“Sanders Capital Partners is optimistic about becoming an active stakeholder at the airport. Amazon and other recent announcements are encouraging news for us and for Bessemer, but many may not know that Bessemer is playing an increasingly significant role in the aviation mix in the greater Birmingham/Tuscaloosa markets and we are seeing this role expand aggressively for a variety of reasons,” said Jackson Stewart, general counsel for Sanders Capital Partners. “We are committed to the growth of the airport, not only with this investment, but we are also actively evaluating new-build opportunities," said Stewart.
He said SCP has worked closely with the Bessemer Airport Authority's Nikki Jordan, Jim Johnson and Tim Wasyluka. SCP plans capital improvements for the hangars, which currently are home to governmental, corporate and personal aircraft. The company said it offers its tenants "in-to-wing" fuel pricing, which is a rare amenity.
The deal adds another component of real estate and investment activity in and around the Bessemer area, especially in the wake of the Amazon fulfillment center announcement that will create at least 1,500 jobs.
"Exciting things are happening at BAA right now and we believe having Sanders Capital Partners make a significant investment in the airport validates our continuing growth. We believe SCP’s activities will be a catalyst for future activity around the airport," said BAA executive director Tim Wasyluka.