During a time when people should be looking at every way possible to stimulate the building industry, commissioners in Marion County are considering an action that will do just the opposite. And, as we have come to discover time and time again in the past, unless we pack the room, the commission may act in a way that is not only bad for the industry but for the county's economy in general. As a result, the Marion County Building Industry Association (MCBIA) has issued a call to action for impact fees. A planning session is scheduled for this afternoon at 4 p.m., in anticipation of the county commission meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m. It is once again time to take some action. Keeping that in mind, let us not forget that we are knee deep in political season, so the hot issue is always polling. What are the biggest issues? I have done my own "informal" polling. I have been asking numerous people in Gainesville, Ocala and Lake City about the current environment, and what they think are the biggest issues impacting us. I also ask what the single biggest thing that can be done to change it. Overwhelmingly, the current makeup of local government is brought up as a way to "fix some of the wrongs." Fortunately, we have two candidates running who can truly make a difference. In Gainesville, we have Rick Bryant. Rick grew up in Archer and Gainesville, and is dedicated to helping locally owned businesses grow. His track record as a Gainesville City commissioner speaks for itself as he was often viewed as the voice of reason. His centrist policies and pragmatic voice will be missed in Gainesville, but will bring a breath of fresh air to the Alachua County Commission. In Ocala, we have Emerson Clauss. Emerson is truly "one of us." As a local builder, Emerson is dedicated to helping our industry and our community. In my opinion, one of the most important things we can do to help our industry and our community is to help Rick and Emerson get elected. How do we do that? There are a lot of ways, but two that stand out. First, we get out to vote. We need everyone in our industry to vote. Between the business owner and the employees that work for them, we are the largest block in the North Central Florida market. Unified, we can truly make a difference. Second, donate to their campaigns. If every person who gets this brief were to donate the cost of one gallon of gas to these campaigns, (or roughly the increase per tank fill-up via the gas tax that Commissioner Byerly forced through in Alachua County), both Rick Bryant and Emerson Clauss could run an effective campaign to get elected. To get involved, you can contact Emerson Clauss at 352-620-9933 or www.emersonclauss.com and Rick Bryant at www.voterickbryant.com www.voterickbryant.com. We talk all the time about wanting these to improves and wonder how we can make a difference. We have an opportunity to truly make a difference.
Speaking of doing what they can to make a difference, I want to thank Brent Christensen and the team at the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce. This past week the Chamber hosted a phenomenal Business Showcase. What made it such a success was their desire to try and stimulate economic growth in our community. To do so, they introduced the Chamber Economic Stimulus Plan: Pay The 2s Forward, giving out over $8000. This is they type of "Outside the Box" thinking that will help us get back on track!
|
|
|
|
www.BuildingEdgeMagazine.com
Our May issue, featuring The Enclave Apartments developed by Collier Enterprises, and constructed by Davis and Sons Construction is available online and in print. The National Feature is on Outdoor Living: decking, landscaping, fencing, outdoor lighting, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces.
Our June issue of Building Edge is in production. Our feature is on Claeys Construction. I am very excited to share this story with you. Jim and Sarah are exceptional at what they do. Their parade house this year had quite a bit of the "Wow Factor." I look forward to sharing it with you. The National Feature will be on Doors: entry, interior, patio and overhead. This will be the issue that we recap the Spring Parade of Homes™.
Our July issue, featuring Barry Rutenberg & Associates closes on Thursday, May 29th. You may remember that we featured Barry back in March of 2004. We are thrilled to be able to feature Barry and his team with you, and look forward to updating everyone as to what is going on with one of North Central Florida's finest builders. Our National Feature is on Baths: fixtures, faucets, home spas, appliances, tile, countertops and appliances.
Coming up in August is Schaefer Construction of Gainesville. The National Feature will be on Curb Appeal.
In September, we return to Ocala, and we catch up with Bennett Construction Services. The National Feature is on Interior Design.
October finds us back in Lake City with Isaac Construction. The National Feature will be on weathering the Elements. This issue will also mark the return of our highly successful, semi-annual Buyer's Guide.
The Spring 2008 issue of Commercial Building Edge is online here. 2007 Marion County Small Business of the Year Stentiford Construction Services, led by Paul Stentiford is our cover story. We are also in the process of developing a website for Paul and his team. Bookmark this site at www.stentifordconstruction.net.
The Summer issue of Commercial Building Edge, featuring Brian Crawford, owner of Concept Construction of North Florida closes at the end of this month. Brian is also the president of the Columbia County Builders Association. We look forward to our first Columbia County Commercial issue. To participate, please give us a call.
HOME™: Living in the Heart of Florida:
Our Spring issue of HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida, featuring TV20's Paige Beck on the cover is out and in circulation. Judging by the response, it is a hit. We are constantly on the go - restocking our distribution points. We have been very busy. This issue should take us over 500 distribution points. Those include the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, Ocala Marion County Chamber of Commerce, Newberry/Jonesville Chamber of Commerce, Williston Chamber of Commerce and the Gainesville Regional Airport. It can also be seen online at www.LivingintheHeartofFlorida.com. In addition to our cover story on Paige Beck, this issue is filled with articles about the home and community. If you would like to have HOME displayed in your place of employment, please let us know. Everyone who knows Paige knows how truly genuine her heart is. I think that is part of the reason we can't keep the magazines stocked. If you would like to get a copy, please call us today. At the rate we are going, we may be out of stock very soon. (352) 372-5854 in Gainesville, (352) 368-1707 in Ocala.
The Summer issue of HOME is open for sales. Our cover story will be on Judy and Davis Rembert. Look for more information in the coming weeks on some of the special features we plan on doing in this issue.
|
|
|
Builders See Bright Side as Home Permits Drop
There's an old saying that every cloud has a silver lining. Standing in a dirt lot that will soon be the front lawn of a home his company is building in Marion Oaks, Chad Johannesen - Maronda Homes' local division manager - pointed to the positive things he sees in the current housing market. Johannesen said lower demand has led to a drop in prices and the return of affordable housing for people looking to buy.
Click Here>>
Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase: Bringing Businesses Together
The punch lines and wise cracks had already begun well before the last booth was constructed, but what seemed to be an enormous gathering of close friends was just business as usual for the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce and its members. "Our annual Business Showcase is a very popular event. It is a chance for chamber members to display their goods and services to other members and interact all in one place," said chamber President and CEO Brent Christensen. This year's Business Showcase was held on Thursday at the Best Western Gateway Grand from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets were $10 and included a chance to win raffle prizes, indulge in a variety of appetizers, and quench your thirst with two drink tickets.
Click Here>>
SFCC Breaks Ground for Facility
Santa Fe Community College broke ground Saturday morning for its first specialized satellite center, a place where students will be able to prepare for careers in biotechnology. The $6.8 million Charles R. and Nancy V. Perry Alachua Corporate Training Center on U.S. 441 across from the Progress Center is scheduled to open in fall 2009 for its first students. The initial construction phase will include 20,000 square feet of space for laboratories, classrooms and specialty training in biotechnology and some medically related fields. Students will be able to earn associate degrees at the center.
Click Here>>
Marion County Commission Will Vote on Impact Fees
The impact that impact fees for road construction have on residential and commercial development in Marion County will be up for debate again Tuesday. The County Commission is scheduled to vote on a proposed change to the way the county assesses transportation impact fees - one-time charges on new development to fund road construction. The recommended changes would drop the rates for retail and commercial development and raise them for residential development. Last year, the county's impact fee consultant, MuniFinancial concluded that residential development should bear more of the burden, because new houses bring the residents and the traffic at first and the retail development follows the residential. Marion County paid the firm $64,000 for work from December 2006 to July 2007.
Click Here>>
Local Businesses Honored During Chamber Luncheon
Norris & Norris P.A. law firm was named the 2008 Small Business of the Year, and Anderson Columbia Co., Inc. was given the first 2008 Medium Business of the Year by the Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. Both awards were given during the chamber's quarterly luncheon Wednesday afternoon at Lake City Community College.
Click Here>>
Theater Noted for Renovation
While it works to reel in popular programming, the Marion Theatre is reviewed as an architectural blockbuster. Today, city leaders and some Marion Theatre project participants will travel to Pensacola to accept an award for Outstanding Achievements in Restoration and Rehabilitation from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, a statewide nonprofit organization.
Belleview Library to Close for Move to New Building
The Belleview Public Library will close on Saturday, May 17, in order to begin the process of moving into the new building on County Road 484. The new library, at 13145 S.E. County Road 484, will officially open on June 2. A preview of the new site is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 31.
County Commission to Hear from FAC President
The Florida Legislature has been trying for years to usurp local control of county services, according to Randy Hatch, commissioner for Dist. 5 of Suwannee County and incoming president of the Florida Association of Counties.
Merger of Fire Services in Ashes?
The request by the City of Lake City for Columbia County to study the feasibility of combining the city's fire services with the county's fire services appears to be in ashes. The city had earlier requested that the county pay half the cost for a study to determine the feasibility of the county assuming control of city fire services, at the request of the city.
Click Here>>
City Approves Biomass Power Plant
After years of debate about fuel type, environmental standards and energy demand, a Boston-based corporation won the bid Monday to build a 100-megawatt wood-burning power plant in Gainesville. A contract must still be negotiated and signed between Nacogdoches Power and the city, but commissioners voted unanimously on Monday to move forward with that process.
Click Here>>
Expert Predicts Local Housing Recovery
The Marion County economy has some challenges ahead, like the state and nation, but should begin to improve later this year, a leading economist said Thursday. Economist Henry Fishkind, addressing an economic summit hosted by Community Bank and Trust, said he believes the nation is in a recession now, but a gradual recovery is likely relatively soon.
Bryant, Braddy Bid Commission Adieu
City Commissioners Rick Bryant and Ed Braddy celebrated and lamented their final meeting in office Monday night. "I've always said there are a lot of people out there who would make better commissioners than me, and I think I've proved that," Braddy quipped during a brief farewell speech. Bryant, who is running for a seat on the County Commission, ran longer in his farewell. "It's been a haul," he said. "I am proud of the effort I put forward for the city." Commissioner Jeanna Mastrodicasa presented small gag gifts to the departing commissioners. "The mayor gets to seat people, and I think I was probably placed between you two for a reason," Mastrodicasa said. "Probably a high tolerance level."
Click Here>>
Hospital Authority Teams up with UF
The Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board has entered a partnership with the University of Florida College of Medicine designed to bring at least two medical clinics to Columbia County, one as early as this summer. During their Monday meeting, Hospital Authority board members voted unanimously in a favor paying $500,000 in start-up money to the University of Florida College of Medicine for the new clinics. The clinics will be open to the public. The $500,000 will be used to buy 5,000 visits for Shands-qualified, or indigent patients.
Click Here>>
Marion Oaks Incorporation Group Changes Meeting Site
The charter committee of the Marion Oaks Incorporation Coalition Inc. will now hold its meetings at the Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane. The change is effective for the May 19 meeting. The nine-member committee, formed to draft a charter for the proposed city of Marion Oaks, previously met at Horizon Academy.
Road to Rebuild
A $25,000 grant was presented to the Suwannee Valley Long-Term Recovery Committee/United Way of Suwannee Valley Inc., Tuesday morning by Florida Rep. Debbie Boyd and Kay Kammel, president of the Governor's Volunteer Florida Foundation.
Council Requests $1.4M for Recovery Efforts
The City of Lake City will submit an application for emergency funds from the State of Florida on Friday. The money will be used to help demolish and repair homes that were damaged during the March 7 tornado. During a special city council meeting on Tuesday, council voted to request the entire amount in the fund, $1.4 million, for the recovery efforts.
Del Webb Goes Green
Residents from Del Webb's Spruce Creek Golf and Country Club last year made headlines for battling a major water rate hike. They also received a consent order citing them for overuse. This year, for many residents, "green" is now the word used to describe their attitude toward the environment, rather than the lushness of their lawns.
BANCF Calendar of Events
Click Here> |
USGBC Heart of Florida Chapter
|
|
|
Businesses Team up with State to Help Limit Carbon Emissions
Publix, The St. Joe Co. and PetroAlgae of Melbourne are among the companies that could help Florida benefit from federal climate-change regulations, environmental groups said Wednesday. Those companies and others are featured in a series of television ads that will be aired in Florida as part of an advertising campaign by the Environmental Defense Fund and the Florida Wildlife Federation. They want Congress to adopt legislation to establish limits on carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
The Clay County Commission has agreed to hold two public hearings in July to settle a lawsuit filed over its transportation impact fee, which is to take effect in January. The commission unanimously approved the settlement Tuesday. The lawsuit, filed in April by the Northeast Florida Builders Association and a group of area landowners, said the county violated state law by approving the fee last January without Planning Commission review. Click Here>> County Approves Stimulus Plan
The first $14 million of a local economic stimulus package was approved Tuesday, with plans in the next month to begin remodeling Selby Library and repaving Swift Road. In all, $6 million of the plan involves speeding up street repaving projects. Another $7 million goes to buy land along Fruitville Road east of Interstate 75 to widen the road to four lanes. Lastly, $1 million goes toward sidewalk projects.
In-State Trips Boost Florida Tourism
New tourism numbers are bolstering hope that vacationers will protect Florida from a slowing national economy and a statewide real estate meltdown. Travel to Florida increased 3.4 percent in the first three months of 2008 compared to a year ago, Visit Florida announced Thursday Click Here>>
Light at End of Florida's Economic Tunnel Exists but Still Far Away, State Officials Says
Florida's economy is like a roller coaster, but the downs aren't the exhilarating part. State Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink spoke about Florida's economy at a Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce breakfast Thursday morning, mentioning property insurance, financial advocacy, the subprime crisis and the skyrocketing foreclosure rate. Click Here>>
Florida Prevails in Water Fight
The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington has declined Georgia's petition to reconsider a recent ruling that restricts the state's authority to tap a huge federal reservoir near Atlanta for more drinking water. A three-judge panel of the court in February threw out an agreement that Georgia reached in 2003 with the Army Corps of Engineers. The agreement -- the linchpin of Georgia's long-term water plans -- would have given the state about a quarter of Lake Lanier's capacity over the coming decades. Click Here>>
|
|
|
Paulson Sees Faster Growth by Year End
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Friday he expects "to see a faster pace of economic growth before the end of the year." Speaking at a luncheon in Washington about the problems that have plagued capital markets this year, Paulson said he thinks "we are closer to the end of the market turmoil than the beginning." Paulson said the economy will still have its "ups and downs" but he stressed that the administration's economic stimulus plan will help fuel economic growth later in the year.
Click Here>>
Summer May Bring a Turning Point for Stock Market
After nine months of turmoil that started with the collapse of the subprime mortgage market, Wall Street appears to be at a turning point of sorts. The data of the past few weeks have given investors some hope that the worst of the credit crisis has passed, that the economy isn't losing jobs at a dangerous rate and that inflation isn't out of control. The result has been relative calm in the financial markets, enabling the major indexes to reach levels they hadn't seen since early in the year - including the Dow Jones industrials' brief return earlier this month to the 13,000 mark. Analysts say data to be released in June and July will determine whether Wall Street extends its recovery or backtracks. If it moves higher, it will break an old habit of pulling back during the summer doldrums - and some analysts believe this may indeed come to pass. Click Here>>
Alternative Water Sources: Supply-Side Solutions for Green Buildings
The severe 2007 drought throughout the southeast U.S. should be a wake-up call. This drought, which continues in some areas of the region, taught us that even areas of the country we have long assumed to have plenty of water are not immune from water shortages, and it showed us how woefully inadequately prepared we are to respond to severe drought. Click Here>>
Studies Confirm Energy Savings Significant in LEED, ENERGY STARŪ Buildings
Two recently released studies, one by the New Buildings Institute (NBI) and one by CoStar Group, have validated what the green building community has known all along: third party certified buildings outperform their conventional counterparts across a wide variety of metrics, including energy savings, occupancy rates, sale price and rental rates.
U.S. Still World's Most Competitive Economy - Survey
The United States topped world competitiveness rankings for the 15th straight year, but its economy is showing the same signs of weakness that sank booming Japan in the early 1990s, according to an annual survey released Thursday.
GE May Auction Appliance Division
General Electric Co. plans to auction off its appliances business, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. GE has hired Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to run an auction for the appliance division, according to the newspaper, which quoted unidentified sources. The sale could yield between $5 billion and $8 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported.
NAHB Offers Tips for Remodeling Your Home to Age in Place
With an increasing number of Baby Boomers choosing to stay in their homes as they age, homeowners are turning to remodelers for help to renovate their homes to accommodate their changing lifestyles. During May - National Home Remodeling Month - the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers highlights benefits of aging in place with the help of a certified professional.
'Green' Training Program Sets up Front in Labor War
There is a new front in the lobbying war between business and labor - "green-collar" workers. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program is expected to train as many as 35,000 workers in green "skill sets" like how to install solar panels, maintain wind turbines, or retrofit buildings with energy-efficient lighting.
Energy Dept: 20% of US Energy From Wind By 2030 Feasible
In a new report, the U.S. Department of Energy said that generating 20% of U.S. energy needs from wind by 2030 is technically feasible, but would require $197 billion in investments, especially in interstate transmission build-out.
Higher Occupancy, Higher Lease Rates for Green Buildings
Buildings that carry LEED or Energy Star certifications have higher occupancy rates and lease for more dollars per square foot than their peers, according to the CoStar Group, a company that provides information services to the commercial real estate industry. CoStar tapped into its database covering billions of square feet of commercial buildings for a study released in March 2008.
Click Here>> NAHB Names Green Building Award WinnersThe National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) last night honored 17 building industry professionals from across their country for excellence and innovation in green home building at the 10th Annual NAHB National Green Building Conference in New Orleans. Click Here>>
Mortgage Application Volume up Slightly
Mortgage application volume rose 2.9% during the week ending May 9, according to trade group Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly application survey. The MBA's application index increased to 674.4 during the week, compared with 655.4 one week earlier.
NAHB Honors Developers for "Building with Trees"
Two builder-developers were honored with the 2008 Building With Trees Awards of Excellence at the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) National Green Building Conference in New Orleans. Northland Residential Corp. of Burlington, Mass. and Parker Development Co. of El Dorado Hills, Calif. are this year's recipients in the awards program, a joint project of NAHB and the National Arbor Day Foundation. Building With Trees honors builders and developers who demonstrate exemplary conservation practices on their projects, specifically by protecting and saving existing trees. Click Here>>
Realtors Push Housing Bill
Realtors came to Capitol Hill this week to urge passage of housing legislation, and they hardly could have timed it better. After months of legislative stalemate, key senators spent Thursday working on a compromise to advance a housing rescue package. As hopes rose that a deal was near, Realtors declared that meetings with senators and representatives were generating results.
Investment Firms Borrow Steadily
Wall Street investment companies are borrowing from the Federal Reserve's emergency lending program at a fairly steady pace. The Federal Reserve said in a report Thursday that those firms averaged $16.6 billion in daily borrowing over the past week. That compared with $16.5 billion in the previous week. During the prior five weeks, investment firms had reduced their borrowing from the central bank.
Car Dealers Set 'Green' Blueprints
The LaFontaine Automotive Group has spent about $15 million in the last two years building a sprawling, multibrand auto dealership in Highland, Mich., investing $2 million in "green" initiatives. The hydraulic lifts in the service bay are lubricated with vegetable oil. Eighty-five skylights dot the ceiling. Doors are made of pressed corn. A costly geothermal heating system warms the building. Salespeople will wear organic shirts and water for car washes will be reused when the new dealership opens next month.
|
|
|
AGC's Simonson and Husband Speak to Gainesville Audience
Ken Simonson, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) chief economist and Warren Husband, the AGC of Greater Florida (AGCGF) governmental affairs director, shared the podium last week as the AGC held a meeting in Gainesville. Several general contractors and others associated with the commercial construction industry attended the luncheon meeting at the Hilton last Monday. They heard Simonson's economic forecast, and specifically how it relates to the industry. Husband updated the attendees about the results of the recently concluded legislative session, and made some forecasts of his own about future Florida legal and governmental issues.
Click Here>>
Businesswomen to Talk of Growth
The Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Lake County Department of Economic Growth and Redevelopment will present a women's symposium Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Lake-Sumter Community College's Magnolia Room, 9501 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg. "As Lake County diligently works to strengthen its economy, we want to provide assistance to the small-business community in this endeavor," said Dottie Keedy, director of the Lake County Department of Economic Growth and Redevelopment. "For Lake County to solidify its status as an emerging business center in Central Florida, it's going to be a communitywide cooperative effort."
Click Here>>
State Budget Offers Local Road, Sewer Funding
Nearly two weeks after the Florida Legislature called it a completed session, the state House of Representatives released its county-by-county breakdown of projects recommended for funding in the budget sent on to Gov. Charlie Crist. For local governments in Marion County, funding was in the sewer - literally. There was $100,000 to Marion County and $325,000 to Belleview for sewer system expansion projects. None of the funding is final until Crist, who has line-item veto power, signs off on the budget.
Lake Scrambles to Build Schools
Lake County School board members stretched their financial muscles on Monday in an effort to ensure Gray Middle School renovations are completed. In February, school district officials projected they could borrow up to $90 million to pay for school construction.
More than 650 Participated in ABC's 2008 Construction Education Conference
More than 650 participants attended ABC's 2008 Construction Education Conference, May 7-9 in Las Vegas, making it one of the most widely attended Education Conferences in ABC history. The three-day educational program featured six tracks covering more than 50 subject areas in hundreds of breakout and general sessions. The program featured custom-tailored sessions for electrical contractors, mechanical contractors, project managers, business managers, and safety and training professionals and included two sessions on online training.
Green Design Nets Results, Study Shows
Federal facilities incorporating sustainable design features cost less to operate, consume less energy and have more satisfied employees on average than all U.S. commercial buildings, according to a landmark study to be issued this week. The study evaluated performance data from a dozen owned or leased buildings either constructed or renovated this decade by the General Services Administration and compared it to results from surveys of commercial buildings. The results should sway skeptics inside and outside of GSA who continue to doubt the true benefits of building sustainable facilities, said David Bibb, acting GSA administrator. Click Here>>
AGCGF is now offering STP & Construction Estimating Classes online!
Click herefor the 2008 class schedule.
AGC of Greater Florida Calendar of Events
| |
|
|
|
|
Current Issues |
 |
|
Commercial Winter 2008
HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida
AGC: Constructor Spring 2008
For more information,
Please contact
Scott Costello |
| Advantage Web Design |
|
If you are interested in joining the BANCF and taking advantage of these great opportunities,
Please visit
www.bancf.com |
|
|
