Phoenix-based U-Haul International Inc., which operates more than 1,200 self-storage facilities across North America, plans to add covered vehicle storage to its 6.88-acre property in Fernandina Beach, Fla. U-Haul Moving & Storage of Amelia Island at 1830 S. 8th St. will soon offer 43 covered spaces for boats, RVs and other vehicles. The spaces will include individual electrical hookups and the site will offer an onsite dump station, according to a company press release.

U-Haul acquired the former Staples office-supply store in 2014. It currently offers hitch installation and towing equipment, propane sales, moving and packing supplies, self-storage, truck and trailer rentals, and U-Box portable storage.

"The covered parking will be a nice addition to this neighborhood," said Shalon Lillard, president of the U-Haul Co. of Jacksonville. "The Yulee and Fernandina Beach areas are growing, and we want to be able to offer U-Haul products and services to meet the demand of a great community.”

The acquisition of the San Fernandina property was driven by U-Haul’s corporate sustainability initiatives, which support infill development to help local communities lower their carbon footprint, the release said. U-Haul’s adaptive reuse of existing structures eliminates the amount of energy and resources required for new-construction materials and helps local cities diminish their unwanted inventory of unused buildings, U-Haul officials said.

Established in 1945, U-Haul has more than 44 million square feet of storage space at more than 1,200 owned facilities throughout North America.

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