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HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida
Summer 2008
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Summer 2008
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We are coming down to the wire on an election that can make all the difference to the future of our industry and our community. The choice between Mike Byerly and Rick Bryant for Alachua County Commissioner, District 1 could have a lasting impact. Mike Byerly has made it very clear that he wants to stifle any kind of growth that could bring in real revenue to the community. At the same time, he continues to hit us with a continuing barrage of regressive taxes and fees. Rick Bryant, while serving on the Gainesville City Commission, proved time and time again that he will work cooperatively with others to do what is best for our community.
Byerly seems so sure of himself that he basically flaunted it in our collective faces at the recent political forum held by the Partners for a Better Alachua County. In a room filled with members of the Builders Association of North Central Florida, the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Gainesville Alachua County Association of Realtors and Preserving Rural Property Values, Byerly told us that some of his greatest accomplishments in office was raising impact fees and raising the gas tax. He clearly is not interested in the things that are in the best interests of the people he supposedly represents - decent growth and good paying jobs. Instead, while people are struggling to make ends meet, he talked about his vision for 50 years from now.
But we are here now, and we cannot afford that vision any longer. This race will be decided in the Democratic primary on Aug. 26. Rick Bryant has a real chance of replacing Byerly, but only if we all participate. Early polls have shown that this will be an extremely close race, won by those who work the hardest between now and Election Day. Every vote will count. It is your responsibility to your association and your industry to do everything in your power to elect Rick Bryant.
There are several events planned between now and the election which can use the support of each and every one of us, and help get Rick Bryant elected. Our future livelihoods and the community depend on it. You can also go directly to Rick's website for information - http://www.voterickbryant.comhttp://www.voterickbryant.com. We only have three weeks left. After the primary, I will bring you as much as I can about all of the candidates in the different races of Columbia, Marion and Alachua counties. For now, we need to rally together, and let our voices be heard.
Jake's Corner 
Our July issue, featuring Barry Rutenberg & Associates is online, and has been delivered. 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 Schafer Construction of Gainesville is in production. The National Feature will be on Curb Appeal. This issue should be online next week.
Our September issue will be our Fall Buyer's Guide and Directory. To learn about advertising opportunities in the guide, click here. Here is the Spring Buyer's Guide and Directory. We close this week, so call us today if you would like to participate.
The October issue of Building Edge is now open for sales. We are back in Lake City, featuring Isaac Bratkovich and Isaac Construction. The National Feature will be on Weathering the Elements, including our new product showcase and covering Pest Control, HVAC, House Wrap, Brick and Siding. This issue will also include the Fall Parade of Homes™ for Alachua and Marion Counties..
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. We will also cover the Columbia County Parade of Homes™.
The Summer 2008 issue of Commercial Building Edge is online here, and should be arriving in the mail this week. We feature Brian Crawford, owner of Concept Construction. Our National Feature is on Lighting.
The Fall 2008 issue of Commercial Building Edge, featuring Paradigm Properties opens this week.
Kicking off 2009 with a bang, our Winter issue will feature Todd Duffy and ACA Construction Group, LLC. ACA Construction Group was founded in Marion County in 2001 when three of the oldest and well-respected commercial construction firms joined together.
The Summer issue of HOME is being distributed, and the feedback has been terrific. Our cover story is on Judy and Davis Rembert. In this issue, we cover 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. Also the response to us adding Jake Fuller and Jake's Corner has been great. This issue prompted us to go bi-monthly starting with the next issue.
The October/November issue of HOME is now open for sales. After reviewing the survey's and listening to feedback, we have decided to enhance the publication. We are going to keep all of the things you have come to expect and love about HOME Magazine. We are also going to add a monthly electronic brief to go with HOME, and some exciting new sections that will appear in every issue, including a chef's cook-off, fashion corner, travel news, a health and fitness section and more.
If you would like to find out about subscribing to HOME, please click here. If you would like advertising information, please click here.
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Local News  |
School Board Approves 3 Percent Tax Hike
The Alachua County School Board Tuesday night tentatively approved a 2008-2009 general fund budget and millage rate that would raise property taxes for schools by about 3 percent. For the owner of a $100,000 home, that would translate into a tax increase for schools of $27.75 a year. The board's vote came at a public hearing on the proposed millage rate and general fund budget for Alachua County's public schools that drew no speakers. The board scheduled the required hearing on the millage and budget during its regular board meeting. At the close of the hearing, the board voted unanimously to approve both the proposed millage rate and the general fund budget. Click Here>> Development's Loose EndsFrom the abandoned construction projects to dilapidated downtown storefronts, the eyesores of the economic downturn abound throughout Alachua County. Developers of both the Stadium Club and University Corners on W. University Avenue corners have said increases in construction costs and other aspects of tough economic times have contributed to delays. Condominium projects like Gainesville Greens downtown and subdivisions like Westchester in northwest Gainesville are stalled because of a dry real estate market. Click Here>> Payton, Fitos Lose Bid for Higher Tax Rate
The countywide property tax rate assessed on properties in unincorporated Marion and inside Ocala, Belleview, Reddick, McIntosh and Dunnellon will increase 40 cents for every $1,000 of taxable property value in fiscal year 2009. Tuesday, county commissioners Jim Payton and Barbara Fitos supported a larger increase in the countywide tax rate from 3.89 mills to 4.22 mills. They wanted to raise money for services the county has reduced, specifically road paving and maintenance, and to build up, in the words of Payton, a "sound reserve account," should an emergency like a hurricane hit the county with millions of dollars in costs. That idea was voted down 3-2 by commissioners Stan McClain, Andy Kesselring and Charlie Stone. Click Here>>_ State-Of-Art Heart Center Puts Down Roots in OcalaWith the swift motion of his shovel, Dr. Asad Qamar realized a longtime dream and broke ground on what he says will become a state-of-the-art heart center in Marion County. Called the Institute of Cardiovascular Medicine, the 40,000-square-foot medical campus will take root on an 11 acres on Southwest 34th Street and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2009. Click Here>> Leesburg May Extend Deadline to Obey Sign Ordinance
City Manager Jay Evans is expected to urge commissioners tonight to extend dates for businesses to comply with a sign ordinance as deadlines approach to spruce up the city's appearance. An economic slowdown prompted staffers to re-examine the ordinance passed in 2004 to limit the size of signs and flags, Evans said. Businesses have until 2009 to make wall signs conform and 2011 to make pole signs conform. Commissioners are being asked to push back the deadlines two years. "With the poor economic conditions going on currently, the timing is poor" for businesses to conform to the sign measure, Evans said. Click Here>> Council Furthers Fire Fee Assessment
Lake City City Council's order for city staff to find the value of fire service for federal, state and county government buildings relates to a city-county dispute, according to City Councilman George Ward. Ward voted Monday night in favor of the motion by Vice Mayor John Robertson, which was seconded by Councilman Mike Lee, because Ward wants members of the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners to see the value of a service the city provides for free to the county. Click Here>> Hundreds Oppose Rail Spur for Planned Nuclear FacilityIt was standing room only Tuesday morning at the Rainbow Springs clubhouse as people listened to what Progress Energy Florida had to say about a rail line it wants to build through Dunnellon to a planned nuclear plant in Levy County. "The truth is, we heard Progress Energy's canned speech to the community," said Ted Medlin, whose property abuts the proposed rail line and who heads the Rainbow River Railroad Committee, which opposes the line. "They were very non-specific answers to our questions. They were ambiguous." The Railroad Committee and the Rainbow Springs Property Owners Association sponsored the meeting so area residents could learn more about the proposed line and express their concerns. Click Here>> Progress Energy Submits License ApplicationProgress Energy Florida announced Friday that it submitted a combined license application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build and operate its proposed nuclear power plant in Levy County. The application, submitted Wednesday, is the utility's latest step required before building its proposed twin Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactors on a 3,000-acre site north of its Crystal River nuclear plant. The NRC is expected to take three to four years to rule on the application. Click Here>> Both BANCF and MCBIA offer 14 hours of continuing education classes. To learn more, go to the following links: Continuing Education onsite at MCBIA
MCBIA Calendar of Events
BANCF Calendar of Events
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State News  |
Attorney General Calls for Probe in Mortgage Case
Saying he's outraged that thousands of people with criminal histories were allowed to peddle home loans in Florida, Attorney General Bill McCollum called for an investigation into the state agency overseeing the mortgage industry. The attorney general said Monday he wants the state to review the licensing practices of the Office of Financial Regulation and look for ways to stop former criminals from jumping into the mortgage business.
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Crist Sets Deadline for Mortgage Broker Cleanup
Declaring his confidence in Florida's mortgage-broker system ''shaken,'' Gov. Charlie Crist gave the state's top loan regulator two weeks to come up with a plan to toughen licensing standards for mortgage brokers. The governor also asked his own inspector general to investigate the Office of Financial Regulation -- the agency that licenses mortgage brokers -- which has been under fire since a Miami Herald series revealed thousands of former criminals were able to peddle home loans in Florida.
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Fla. Homebuilders Hear Sides of Tax Swap Proposal
Florida's homebuilders were told Saturday that a proposal to slash property taxes raised for schools in exchange for other new revenue will boost home sales and help an industry that's suffering through an economic downturn. And they were also told the proposal won't be worth it because they'll be paying more taxes on materials and services. Both sides of the Amendment 5 debate presented their cases to members of the Florida Home Builders Association and gave a much different views of how the proposed constitutional amendment will affect the industry.
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State Shuts Down FPL's Renewable Energy Program
State regulators on Tuesday shut down a Florida Power & Light Co. green energy program after an audit revealed most of the money collected from customers was used to pay for administrative and marketing costs. The Florida Public Service Commission voted unanimously to end the Sunshine Energy Program, in which approximately 39,000 customers voluntarily agreed to pay an extra $9.75 per month for renewable energy projects. The state will continue its investigation into handling of the money and will decide later if it should require FPL to issue refunds or invest it in renewable energy projects in the works. Commissioners want breakdowns from FPL and its contractors showing how much of the money went to travel expenses, a public relations consultant, salaries, office expenses and marketing.
Click Here>>
Fla. to Host Renewable Energy Summit
Florida's Department of Agriculture will host a two-day "Farm to Fuel Summit" as part of the state's effort to increase the production, distribution and use of renewable fuels. A large part of the conference will be a discussion of how Florida can become a production leader in cellulosic ethanol, or ethanol made from non-edible plants like citrus waste or grasses rather than corn and sugar.
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Oil Drilling Gains Support in Florida
With gas prices hovering near $4 a gallon, a majority of Florida voters now support drilling for oil in protected areas offshore, according to a new poll. The survey found 60 percent of respondents favor drilling, with 10 percent telling pollsters they had opposed offshore drilling in the past. Thirty-six percent of respondents said they remain opposed to offshore drilling. The poll of 1,248 likely Florida voters was conducted July 23-29 by Quinnipiac University. The margin of error: 2.8 percentage points. The same poll also suggests Barack Obama and John McCain virtually tied in the key swing state, with McCain narrowing the gap since June.
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National News  |
Going Green a Growing Trend Among Homeowners
The bathroom tiles are recycled wine bottles. The hardwood floors are sustainable bamboo. And the sprawling garden gets sprinkled with rainwater collected in 300-gallon barrels. From its recycled plastic deck to its solar-paneled roof, everything in and about the 2,500-square-foot home on exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry has a green story -- with the goal of showing the public how easy it can be to incorporate environmental sustainability into their own abodes. "Green should be for everyone," said Michelle Kaufmann, the Oakland, Calif.-based architect who designed the SmartHome. "If it's only for a few, what's the point?" It appears the public is catching on. Green building is expected to represent 6 percent of the residential construction industry in 2008, according to a survey conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction Research & Analytics for the U.S. Click Here>> Bush Signs Housing Bill to Provide Mortgage Relief President Bush on Wednesday signed a massive housing bill intended to provide mortgage relief for 400,000 struggling homeowners and stabilize financial markets. Bush signed the bill without any fanfare or signing ceremony, affixing his signature to the measure he once threatened to veto, in the Oval Office in the early morning hours. He was surrounded by top administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Housing Secretary Steve Preston. "We look forward to put in place new authorities to improve confidence and stability in markets," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. He said that the Federal Housing Administration would begin right away to implement new policies "intended to keep more deserving American families in their homes." CLick Here>> FHA Retooled to Meet Nation's Housing NeedsLegislation approved today by Congress will modernize the Federal Housing Administration to enable it to be more effective in helping to meet the nation's housing needs. Over the past two decades, the popularity and relevance of FHA's single-family programs has waned because statutory and regulatory constraints have limited the agency's ability to carry out its mission to spur housing opportunities for America's working families. The differences between FHA's requirements and those for conventional mortgages have been viewed by lenders, appraisers and others as a disincentive to use FHA programs. Click Here>> Fed Leaders Hope Covered Bonds Aid Mortgage CrisisThe Bush administration and federal banking regulators joined with the nation's four largest banks Monday to endorse a new way to pump money into the battered U.S. mortgage market. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson unveiled a set of practices designed to encourage banks to issue a debt instrument known as a covered bond. The administration hopes these bonds will replace some of the mortgage financing that has disappeared as investors have incurred billions of dollars of losses on mortgage-backed securities. "As we are all aware, the availability of affordable mortgage financing is essential to turning the corner on the current housing correction," Paulson said in launching the new effort. Click Here>> Green Building Research Highlights Electrical EfficiencyJerry Yudelson today announced the beginning of a major new research study, "Energy Efficiency and Green Building Business Opportunities," for the St. Louis, Missouri-based National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) Education & Research Foundation. According to Yudelson, "Green building and energy efficiency markets are growing by leaps and bounds, more than 50 percent per year. We're taking a long look at the potential for major new technologies and new business opportunities in the electrical equipment side of the green building industry." Citing industry statistics that show nearly 75 percent of all electricity produced in the U.S. goes into residential and commercial buildings, Yudelson said, "Marketing innovations in this industry are critical to reaching our goals of reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings." Click Here>> Remodeling Now Preferred to Building New HomesThe spending pendulum might soon swing from new home construction to remodeling, one Amarillo building industry representative said. "It all just goes in a cycle like that," said Brian Watson, a remodeler and president of the Texas Panhandle Builders Association. "Until we get past this $4-a-gallon gasoline and through this year of (presidential) election, people are just real leery about spending a whole lot of money right now. They would rather spend $20,000, $30,000, $50,000 on a remodel than spend $250,000 to $300,000 on a brand-new house." Homebuilders launched construction of 286 single-family homes through June, 65 fewer than were begun in the first half of 2007, according to city of Amarillo building permit records. Click Here>> Home Builders Applaud New IRS Regulations on Utility Allowances for LIHTC Properties Calling it a victory for affordable housing, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today applauded new regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that give Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property owners more flexibility in the way they calculate utility allowances for their low-income residents. "Considering the exponential increases in energy costs, the new utility allowance regulation will allow builders to more accurately calculate the energy usage for their buildings, therefore reducing long-term operating costs," said Justin MacDonald, a LIHTC developer in Kerrville, Texas, and chairman of NAHB's Housing Credit Group, which had been leading the charge for the new regulations for the past several years. Click Here>> New NAHB Publication Offers Home Builders Strategies to Increase Profit And Customer Satisfaction To be successful in today's competitive market, builders need to offer more than just a well-built home; their products need to respond to the specific lifestyle needs and design preferences of individual home buyers. Option Selling for Profit: The Builder's Guide to Generating Design Center Revenue and Profit, a newly released publication from BuilderBooks, the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) publishing arm, provides advice for builders' sales consultants and design center staff to showcase options and upgrades that will improve customer satisfaction-and profits. "Particularly in a challenging market, many builders have found that selling optional home features not only increases customer satisfaction, but also can add significantly to their bottom line," said NAHB President Sandy Dunn, a home builder from Point Pleasant, W.Va. "This new book is a wonderful tool that provides builders and salespeople with strategies to take full advantage of option sales." Click Here>>
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Commercial News  |
NYC Building Costs Top All Other US Cities
Construction costs in New York are far higher than in other major U.S. city due to factors ranging from hefty wages, high land prices and costly insurance, according to a survey by a trade group coalition. Costs in New York are nearly 60 percent higher than Dallas, which ranked second in the annual survey by the New York Building Congress and the New York Building Foundation, a coalition that promotes the construction industry in the New York area. The report, released on Tuesday, raised concerns about whether the high construction costs will threaten public projects in New York. Click Here>> Contractors Urge America to Increase Transportation Investment
One year after the tragic collapse of the I-35 W bridge in Minneapolis, Minn., the country continues to under invest in its transportation infrastructure. National funding has not been increased and construction materials costs have risen dramatically, further undermining the ability of states to address their increasing transportation needs. "Here in Minneapolis, the I-35 W bridge has been rebuilt, but the financing system is still failing and that is not a legacy we should leave to the next generation," said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) today during a visit to Minneapolis. "The tragedy of the I-35 W bridge was, unfortunately, a symptom of how age, overuse and other stresses are impacting the America transportation system. The U.S. needs to commit to infrastructure investment and ensure a safer, more reliable and more efficient transportation system." Click Here>> Coalition Calls for Swift Action On Energy & Water Appropriations Measure
The Water Resources Coalition called on Congress to move forward with consideration and passage of the FY09 Energy and Water Appropriations bills which fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. "The nation's infrastructure is one of our greatest assets and one of our most important responsibilities," said Stephen E. Sandherr, Chief Executive Officer of the Associated General Contractors. "Additional investment in critical environmental and public safety needs will improve our nation's well-being. America needs these investments now to help spur our economy and keep America strong and safe," Sandherr concluded. Click Here>> Senate Fails to Invoke Cloture on Energy Speculation Bill
The U.S. Senate July 25 failed to invoke cloture on the "Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008" (S.3268) by a vote of 50-43 - 10 votes shy of the 60 required to end debate. ABC supports continued debate of this bill which would curb excessive speculation in oil markets but would not allow consideration of any other legislative proposals that would decrease America's dependency on foreign energy. In a letter sent before the vote, ABC expressed disappointment that the bill did not address increased production of oil on U.S. soil and also did not encourage development of new sources of energy. Click Here>> ABC Member Speaks Out Against Rising Fuel Prices Brett McMahon, vice president of Miller and Long Co., Inc. in Bethesda, Md., a member of ABC's Metro Washington chapter, July 29 spoke during a Senate Republican Conference news conference about the impact rising fuel costs have had on his business. The news conference was a call to action for Democrats in Congress to help lower rising fuel prices by allowing bills to come for a vote that would decrease America's dependence on foreign energy. McMahon explained to Senate Republican leaders and members of the media how the price of fuel is affecting the bottom line of his construction business by driving up the cost to produce and ship the materials needed to complete a building. He also pointed out that the amount of time that elapses between when a construction contract is signed and when a building is completed can allow prices to fluctuate hugely creating unforeseen problems down the road. Click Here>> Costs, Concerns Push Schools to Use Eco-Friendly Elements
Waterless urinals. Geothermal cooling systems. Photovoltaic solar panels. Classrooms are slowly going green, prodded by rising energy bills, public health concerns and a general desire to adopt eco-friendly principles. Green schools cost a little more to build -- generally 1%-2% extra -- but promise payback through lower utility bills and, some studies suggest, better student achievement. "A school district that might have been thinking, 'I can't afford to build a green school' is now saying, 'I can't afford not to,' " said Rachel Gutter, schools sector manager for the U.S. Green Building Council, which certifies school construction projects based on environmental criteria. Several states, including Hawaii, Florida and New Jersey, require that new school buildings be more energy-efficient, reduce water usage and recycle more. In June, the U.S. House of Representatives sent a bill to the Senate requiring schools built with federal money to incorporate green elements. Click Here>> Upcoming Events AGCGF Golf Tournament
AGC of Greater Florida Calendar of Events Click Here>> AGCGF Green Building Seminar | |
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