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HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida
Spring 2008
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| AGC: Constructor Spring 2008 |
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 Commercial Building
Edge
Spring 2008
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I hope you all had a great Fourth of July weekend. For me, it was a great opportunity to spend some time with family, take a moment to remember those who fought and those who continue to fight for our freedom and it is also gave me an opportunity to recharge the batteries. Of course, getting literally put on fire by one of my nieces should help the charging of theose batteries.
As always, I remain the optimist. Amidst all the bad news that we hear in the mainstream media, I believe that our troops are making a difference. I also maintain my optimism since we continue to hear from builders and Realtors locally that there are signs of improvement. There are still issues we need to overcome, I am not completely naive, but I believe we have a little rally going. As always, it remains important for each of us to take a role in shaping our own future. As I wrote here last week, we all need to be active, whether it is a political campaign for one of the candidates who will make a positive difference for our industry and the community, or urging elected officials to make the decisions that are in the best interests of everyone.
Our July issue, featuring Barry Rutenberg & Associates is online, and will be in the mail in the next few days. In this issue, we are spotlighting Ro-Mac's new showroom in Marion County. This issue will be the print launch for Jake's Corner, and he kicks it off with a bang.
Our August issue, featuring Schafer Construction of Gainesville closes this week. The National Feature will be on Curb Appeal.
Our September issue will be our Fall Buyer's Guide and Directory. To learn about advertising opportunities in the guide, click here.
October finds us back in Lake City with Isaac Construction. The National Feature will be on Weathering the Elements, and we will include the Fall Parade of Homes.
In November, we will be featuring Chris Luetgert and Luetgert Development. Chris is a third generation builder intimately involved in every project he works on. We are excited to share his story with you. The National Feature will be on Green Building.
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 goes into production this week. Brian is also the president of the Columbia County Builders Association. We look forward to our first Columbia County Commercial issue.
The Summer issue of HOME is in production, and the layouts look terrific. Our cover story is on Judy and Davis Rembert. In this issue, we will have an article on the difference between Green Building and "Green Speak." We will showcase Alachua County's newest green development, Campo Verde. In our healthcare section, we interview Dr. Timothy Goldfarb, CEO of Shands. This is shaping up to be our biggest issue yet. Look for this issue to start arriving in about two weeks.
Based on the feedback and response to HOME over the last year, we have decided, starting with the next issue to go bi-monthly. We have typically run out of magazines with three-to-four weeks left in the cycle. We already have the highest distribution in the area, so we felt going with more issues would be the best resolution. We have also added several new editorial section starting with the next issue that I hope you enjoy.
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Local News  |
Assessing Fire Fees
Gainesville city officials amended their code earlier this month to include language authorizing an assessment for fire services, and the first of two informational meetings will be held today to address any concerns from the public. Prime among those concerns are the assessment to non-profit companies and religious institutions, the exemption of the University of Florida from the fee, the length of notice before the tax takes effect and the regressive nature of the flat fee. Click Here>>$60M Federal Prison Proposed
A proposal to build a $60 million Federal Bureau of Prisons, low security facility in Columbia County was pitched to the board of county commissioners at a special meeting Tuesday morning in the County Annex meeting room. Michael Harling, executive vice president of Dallas, Texas-based Municipal Capital Markets Group Inc., met with commissioners to explain the group's proposal. The proposed federal facility, as Harling explained it, would exclusively house illegal aliens who are arrested and convicted of committing a crime once they are in this country. Click Here>> Outsourcing of Inspections Hits Brick Wall
It's safe to say the Marion County Commission didn't care for a staff selection committee's recommendation against outsourcing building inspections. During Tuesday's meeting, some commissioners also blamed Building Department staffers for blaming commissioners for not giving department personnel the resources to speed up permitting and inspections. "I would ask you to ask them to shut up," Commissioner Jim Payton told County Administrator Pat Howard. Click Here>> Hospital's Hopes for Sales Tax Help DashedMunroe Regional Medical Center's half-cent sales tax proposal is off the table. The hospital will not pursue the proposal, it announced on Thursday, because its legal team found out that it did not meet legislative requirements. But it still needs public financial support and is looking into other options. So on Thursday night, the hospital district board of trustees got into an in-depth discussion with the hospital administration and the legal team about taxing options. There are a few routes the hospital can take. Some would involve a lot of administrative work; others might be politically unpopular. In the end, the board of trustees asked the hospital administration to further explore options and go to county commissioners for feedback. Click Here>> With Solar Power, the Electric Bill Is Just $3 A MonthMany people cringe when they open their electric bills, especially in the summer when the AC is always churning. But there's no angst for Bob and Joan Pine, who are thought to be the first residents in the giant Villages retirement community northwest of Orlando to go full bore into solar power. Their monthly bills are as low as $3. Their home already had some energy-efficient appliances and window and attic insulation when they moved to The Villages in 2004. But the couple recently took energy conservation to the next level: They installed 24 solar panels on their roof. Now, their house produces more electric power than they need. Click Here>> Belleview Government Will Test 4-Day Work WeekCity employees will get a three-day weekend the first week in October. They will also get a three-day weekend the second week, and the third, and the fourth. City commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to experiment with a four-day work week for six months beginning Oct. 1. Commissioner Ken Nadeau said he doubted the city will save money on utilities, but thinks there are other benefits to the plan. Click Here>> City to Form Affordable-Housing CommitteeFinding, or even defining, affordable housing in Ocala is a significant community concern. Now the city is seeking people interested in helping address the issue to serve on a state-mandated affordable housing committee. The city will receive roughly $475,000 from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program for the 2009 fiscal year, said Jim Simon, director of community programs for the city of Ocala. The program, known by the initials SHIP, provides funds to local governments for use in a variety of efforts to make housing more affordable for low-income residents. Click Here>> UF Ethanol Plant Unaffected by U.S. Sugar DealA University of Florida plant that would convert sugar cane into ethanol will be unaffected by state negotiations to buy U.S. Sugar for Everglades restoration, according to those involved in the project. But some environmental advocates question whether building the plant is a good idea in the midst of a push to return the area to natural conditions. Last month, Gov. Charlie Crist announced an agreement to pay an expected $1.75 billion for the operations of the nation's largest sugar producer and about 300 square miles of its farm land. Click Here>> Upcoming Events GRU BEST Blueprints for a Sustainable Future
MCBIA Calendar of Events
BANCF Calendar of Events
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State News  |
Could Wind Power Work in Florida?
In the push to stop global warming, many experts are hearing a mighty rushing wind. Clean and abundant wind power in vast stretches of America is not only far cheaper than solar, but as oil prices soar, it's proving to be less expensive than natural gas, a prime source of the nation's power. At present, wind provides only 1 percent of U.S. electricity, but a federal report predicts the wind could be providing 20 percent of American power by 2030. Click Here>> Home Builders Push Voluntary Green Certification Green building may be coming to a city near you. While the Florida Legislature now requires all new and refurbished government/public buildings to be green certified -- meeting more environmentally-friendly standards -- the Volusia Home Builders Association hopes Volusia County and its 16 cities adopt a voluntary green building program for homes and commercial buildings. The association unveiled a draft ordinance Monday it will soon circulate to local governments for consideration. Click Here>> Florida Sues Countrywide Over Mortgages
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum announced Tuesday that his office has sued Countrywide Financial, accusing the national mortgage firm of deceiving borrowers by enticing them into obtaining expensive loans and lying to them about the rates and penalties. The lawsuit seeks financial compensation for Countrywide's victims and, although Bank of America closed the deal to buy the troubled lending company on Tuesday, McCollum said he is confident the former company will have money to pay it. Click Here>> Area Sports Venues Doing Their Part to Be Environmentally FriendlyOur local sports venues have gotten that green feeling from Amway Arena to Bright House Networks Stadium. Each one has adopted several green practices, from recycling materials to conserving energy. But the greenest of them all will be the new Magic arena and events center, scheduled to open in 2010. After Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart requested a green arena be built, the Magic are on track to have the first NBA arena to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. The demand to make sports stadiums and arenas green has grown with increasing awareness on the environment. There also is a financial upside for venue operators. While it costs more to become green, using more energy efficient systems ends up saving money in the long term as it cuts down on water, heating and electric bills. Click Here>> Crist Signs Brownfield BillGov. Charlie Crist signed a bill into law on Monday that enhances and adds to tax credits tied to brownfield redevelopment. The law enhances state tax credit incentives relating to the removal, management and reuse of solid landfills or dump sites as part of their cleanup or development. It also adds a new state tax credit incentive to encourage the construction of health care facilities on brownfield sites, and clarifies certain brownfield designation procedures. A brownfield is a property where expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by environmental contamination. Click Here>> Investor to Help With Fla. Hurricane ClaimsIf a catastrophic storm hits Florida this year, investor Warren Buffett will be there to help out. Gov. Charlie Crist and other State Board of Administration trustees agreed Wednesday to pay Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. $224 million on the chance an Andrew-type hurricane would hit the state. Under the agreement, if hurricane damage in the state reaches $25 billion, Berkshire would buy bonds worth $4 billion that the state would use to pay insurance claims. The state is on the hook for up to $29 billion in hurricane damage this year. The state Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, which would start paying claims once storm costs exceed $7 billion, has about $8 billion in cash, and fund managers believe they can tap another $10 billion from the bond market. Click Here>> Court Busts Crist's Deal on Blackjack
Less than two weeks ago, the Seminole Tribe of Florida trotted out celebrities and high rollers to launch blackjack, baccarat and high-stakes poker at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood. On Thursday, the Florida Supreme Court dealt a blow to the operation. The court ruled that Gov. Charlie Crist did not have the authority to allow the tribe to expand its gambling operations to include the card games when they are illegal in the state. Click Here>> Gov. Crist Signs Bill to Streamline Professional Regulations State officials have streamlined several rules for businesses and professionals. This week, Gov. Charlie Crist signed a bill that changes some of the procedures of the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation. "We are looking forward to implementing the changes set forth in (the bill)," said Chuck Drago, the department's interim secretary. "I believe these legislative changes will make a positive impact on the licensees and citizens that we do business with every day." Click Here>> Companies Begin Quest for Oil, Gas off Fla. Coast Oil companies once viewed drilling in the deep waters off Florida as cost prohibitive. Politicians feared even the slightest sign of support would be career suicide. No more. Record crude oil prices are fueling support for oil and natural gas exploration off the nation's shores. In Florida, movement was underway even before President Bush called on Congress last month to lift a federal moratorium that's barred new offshore drilling since 1981. The early activity here stems from a 2006 Congressional compromise that allows drilling on 8.3 million acres more than 125 miles off the Panhandle - an area that had been covered by the moratorium, which was enacted out of environmental concerns. In exchange, the state got a no-drilling buffer along the rest of its beaches. Click Here>> History Supports Tax Cut Passage
Since 1978, Florida voters have had 13 chances to vote for a cut in property taxes and they've approved all 13, ranging from 1992's historic creation of "Save Our Homes" tax caps to smaller exemptions for seniors and veterans. But November's Amendment Five, a proposed "tax swap" that would cut property taxes by 25 percent in exchange for a hike in the state sales tax, may test that history as tight fiscal times cool political support. One key bellwether is Gov. Charlie Crist, who has proven flexible with his stances on myriad issues but remains a staunch proponent of tax cuts. Click Here>> |
National News  |
Sen. Ensign Stalls Consideration of Housing Bill
With the Senate poised to pass badly needed housing stimulus legislation, Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) abruptly stopped the bill in its tracks when he insisted on voting on an amendment that would add $8.2 billion in energy tax-break extensions to the package. Ensign's 11th hour procedural hurdle has kept the Senate from voting on the housing bill until lawmakers return from their July 4th recess. Prior to Ensign's action, the Senate completed work on one section of the housing package, approving by an overwhelming 79 to 16 vote a portion of the bill that would modernize the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and reform for government sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks.
Click Here>>
Green Building's LEED Standards Gain Acceptance
It's no secret that sustainability has become one of the biggest buzz words in media today. With climate change documentaries dominating our televisions and energy prices soaring, few issues are drawing as much attention as the current state of the environment. While many issues remain controversial, one issue has not: We have a limited supply of resources, and the cost of doing business is skyrocketing as world demand for those resources increases.
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More Home Owners Seeking Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
As home owners grapple with skyrocketing energy costs, more of them are turning to remodelers for money-saving solutions, according to a recent NAHB quarterly Remodeling Market Index (RMI). "It's no surprise with rising energy prices and other costs draining the piggy bank that home owners want to maximize home performance with green remodeling options," said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Lonny Rutherford, CGR, CAPS, CGP, president of Legacy Construction, Inc. in Farmington, N.M. According to the RMI, 33% of the remodelers surveyed said that they are increasingly called on to improve the energy efficiency of their client's homes.
Click Here>>
Smaller Homes Could Be Making a Comeback
A number of trends suggest that Americans really might be willing to swap their McMansions for McCottages. Soaring fuel costs, environmental concerns and aging baby boomers mean the American dream home may be getting a lot smaller than it used to be. Over the years, a number of industry professionals have predicted the mass downsizing of the American home. Instead, the average size of newly-built houses has continued to rise from just over 1,600 square feet in the late 1970s to nearly 2,300 square feet now. But, in a February survey of potential home buyers by NAHB, 60% said they would rather have a smaller house with more amenities than the other way around.
Click Here>>
Consumers Want Green Benefits, Confused by Details
Consumers are not fully embracing green building because most are not aware of what is required and the costs involved, according to the latest Eco Pulse green marketing consumer survey. The survey is conducted annually by the Shelton Group, a Tennessee advertising agency that focuses on energy and sustainability. Most consumers seem to think green homes are an all-or-nothing proposition, said Shelton Group CEO Suzanne Shelton, adding that marketers need to make green purchasing decisions easier, simple and less overwhelming for consumers. From a list of 17 green features, consumers chose an average of 10.4 that they thought were required to make a house green.
Click Here>>
NAHB Takes Issue with New Construction General Permit
Close to the expiration date, the U.S. Evironmental Protection Agency has proposed extending its Construction General Permit for two years. The permit allows home builders and developers to work on construction and development sites from which sediment can run off during rainfall. In comments on the proposal, NAHB noted its concern about a possible gap in coverage for some applicants when the current permit expires on July 1 and the agency continues to respond to public comments. The association also said that the EPA had missed opportunities to make it easier for builders to comply with the regulation.
Click Here>>
Mortgage Applications Rebound
Mortgage application volume rose 3.6% during the week ended June 27, according to the trade group Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly application survey. The MBA's application index rose to 477.7 during the week, bouncing back from a year-to-date low of 461.3. Refinance volume increased 4.7% during the week, while purchase volume increased 2.8%. Refinance applications accounted for 36.8% of total applications, compared with 36.3% a week earlier.
Click Here>>
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Commercial News  |
Pumping New Life Into a Successful Venture
Drive past the S&S Food Stores' headquarters on U.S. Highway 90 East and you'll likely notice a good bit of construction at the site. That's because S&S officials are expanding the main offices, adding additional room for more storage spaces, offices and a larger conference room for employee meetings. Construction of the nearly 5,000-square-foot building, which will be located at the rear of the current office space, has been under way since the end of last year. O'Neal Contracting, LLC, which is handling the project, expects the work to be complete by the end of the month barring any unforeseen circumstances. Click Here>> New Consensusdocs Contract First to Address Bim
ConsensusDOCS™ today released a groundbreaking Building Information Modeling (BIM) Addendum which marks a significant step forward in utilizing BIM as a collaborative tool. This new document will bring the construction industry's future into reality. The ConsensusDOCS 301 BIM Addendum is the first and only industry standard document to globally address the legal uncertainties associated with utilizing BIM. Click Here>> Private Nonresidential Construction Spending Hits All-Time High in MayPrivate nonresidential construction spending hit an all-time high of $405.3 billion in May 2008, according to a July 1 report by the U.S. Department of Commerce. This represents a 0.2 percent rise on a monthly, seasonally-adjusted basis compared to April 2008. According to ABC's Chief Economist, Aniban Basu, the nonresidential construction spending data remains inconsistent with the country's broader economic weakness. Click Here>> Banks, Retailers Getting With LEED CertificationThe green building seal of approval known as LEED certification is spreading to retailers, beginning with companies who deal in green of another sort - banks. Last week, Charlotte, N.C.-based Wachovia became the third bank to earn approval for a prototype to build hundreds of LEED-certified locations with less red tape than a traditional LEED certification. The Seattle architecture firm Callison led development of the prototype. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the standard for environmentally friendly construction encompassing energy efficiency, using recycled materials and water conservation. Only four companies have won approval for prototypes that can be used for multiple locations. Click Here>> Eco-Friendly Lodging Firmly Taking RootHe's no Al Gore, but Kermit the Frog may have summed it up best: "It's not easy being green." Just a few years ago, hotels that encouraged patrons to use linens and towels for more than a day -- and the guests who did so -- were applauded as being environmentally friendly. But now, experts in "green" travel say, it's time to start trying a little harder. Lucky for travelers, the hotel has to do most of the work. Your main task is to choose wisely. "There are many shades of green," said Glenn Hasek, publisher of the website Green Lodging News. Five years ago, forgoing fresh sheets for a day might have been enough. "In 2008, no. I think the bar has been raised about what is green." Click Here>> Upcoming Events
AGCGF Golf Tournament
AGCGF July Membership Meeting
AGC of Greater Florida Calendar of Events Click Here>> AGCGF Green Building Seminar | |
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