Canaveral Port Authority close to finalizing 5-year lease deal with SpaceX

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The Canaveral Port Authority is close to finalizing a deal for a five-year lease agreement with SpaceX for a rocket refurbishing facility.

"We've been working with them, moving the Falcon from the port back where they're doing the refurbishment.
I think it's going to be part of that process," Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Tom Weinberg said.

Under the terms of a "tentative agreement," SpaceX would lease the 53,000 square foot former SPACEHAB building, located on the north side of the port, for an annual rent of more than $300,000.

SpaceX would be responsible for funding and completing all improvement with a maximum reimbursement of $250,000.

SpaceX has also discussed plans to build a 44,000 square foot hangar on the existing property.

“I think that's going to bring more jobs to more people locally. Instead of those rocket boosters being built elsewhere, we can refurbish them here,” said resident Rick Bassinder.

Weinberg said he sees it as part of the port’s ever-expanding cargo effort.

“To have a long-term contract with a partner like SpaceX, and you see how prolific, frankly, they are with their model and the business that they're in, we think it's a great partnership to have SpaceX at the port,” said Weinberg.

Weinberg was said he was confident that a final deal will be reached.

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