Building Edge
September 2008
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We all have causes that we believe strongly in - issues that tug at our hearts. The primary issue to me is the education and protection of our children. I sit on the board of the Child Advocacy Center. This is a group whose sole purpose is to meet the needs of abused children in our community. They are the first response when a crisis has hit. They suffered their own crisis over the Labor Day Weekend, and thanks to the response of a great group of people, they were able to relocate to a new home. Many who read these briefs helped contribute. While many of their initial needs have been met, there are still numerous shortages, and any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Some of those needs include a security system, a conference table, carpet, children's DVDs, and more. To get a full list, please contact me at 352-372-5854, or call Sherry Kitchens at the center at 494-3839.
It's been a few weeks since the primary, and it is time to refocus our energies on the November election. Despite a loss in the critical Alachua County Commission District One race, there is still an opportunity to unseat Mike Byerly, and replace him with a commissioner who supports the building industry, the business community, and the kind of healthy growth we need. Kevin Riordan, the Republican candidate in the race, is just that. A Realtor and a former local business owner, Kevin knows how to run an operation effectively. So we actually do two things by supporting Kevin. We bring a voice of reason with business experience where it is needed on the county commission. We also unseat a commissioner whose only goal is to protect the interests of a relatively small group who want to stop reasonable growth, which, as we all know, is the only way to keep the economy moving.
One of what will be many opportunities to show support for Kevin will take place at the ERA Trend Realty office in High Springs this Thursday, Sept. 18. The office at 320 Santa Fe Blvd. (U.S. 441) will be the site of a fundraiser for Kevin. Please join us there.
Last week, we shared with you about Matt Cason, a Lake City builder who was burned badly and was in Shands. Last week, he was released from the burn unit, and is at home recovering. Please keep Matt and his family in your prayers.
Finally, I want to share that a few of the members of the building industry were awarded Alachua County Business of the Year by the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. Of the 30 finalists, four member winners were Brice Business Group for Overall Small Business and Commitment to Environment, Cox Communications for Overall Large Business, Indigo Green Store for Entrepreneurship and HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida/Advantage Publishing, Inc. for Newcomer of the Year. To view the pictures from the event, click here. Jake's Corner 
Our September issue, featuring the Fall Buyer's Guide, is online here. You should be receiving your copy in the mail around the end of this week.
Our October issue of Building Edge is in production 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.
Sales are open for our November issue. 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.
There are going to be some changes in store for Building Edge coming up for 2009. We are working aggressively to bring to you the publication of choice, and hopefully these upcoming changes will reflect that. Stay tuned in coming weeks for more details.
The Summer 2008 issue of Commercial Building Edge is online here, and has been mailed. 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 is now open. The National Feature is on Green Building.
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 in production. It will start arriving the first few days of October. Our cover story for this issue is the terrific coach of our Womens Soccer Team at UF, Becky Burleigh. As a fellow Sponger, it is always nice to be able to feature someone from my hometown. Becky has done us proud, and we are lucky to continue having her lead our soccer team as we enter the 2008-2009 season. This issue also includes the launch of our new chef's corner, fashion corner, travel corner, a health and fitness corner and more.
The December/January issue of HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida is open now. Our cover feature is on Rod and DeeDee Smith.
We have recently picked up some ringing endorsements that will be included in the media packets. It is that time of year where budgets are being set for 2009. Let us show you how being seen in HOME has already contributed to some businesses success, and can do the same for you.
If you would like advertising information, please click here. If you would like to find out about subscribing to HOME, please click here.
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Local News  |
Cox, Brice Win Gainesville's Top Business Awards
Cox Communications won its second Overall Large Business Award on Wednesday and Brice Business Group won two awards, including Overall Small Business Award at the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce 2008 Business of the Year Awards. The winners in eight categories modeled after the Governor's Business Diversification Awards were chosen among 29 nominees by past winners and local business people on a point system based on civic, economic and environmental contributions. Click Here>>
Church Sells 63 Acres of Property
About 18 months ago, St. John Lutheran church and school bought 63 acres near Interstate 75 with the plan of expanding its facilities one day. But the religious group has sold the land, deciding instead to upgrade its existing home. St. John officials sold the land last month to ENOC Industrial LLC, a company owned by Douglas Cone, of Cone Distributing, for $4.6 million. The school plans to use the money to pay off the loan for the property - St. John paid just over $3.5 million for the land in March 2007 - and upgrade its school and church buildings at 1915 S.E. Lake Weir Ave. Click Here>> ARC Marion Group Home Due for Renovations
Toward the back of the ARC Marion campus stands a drab, concrete-block facade building. The 5,000-square-foot-structure's eight bedrooms and small bathrooms have the look of an aged motel. Built in the early 1980s and not renovated since then, this is a group home for eight developmentally disabled adults who also have behavioral issues. ARC Marion Executive Director Troy Strawder said the nonprofit agency has long wanted to gut and renovate the interior and give the outside a facelift. Click Here>> Some Wonder What Will Become of Development
Three abandoned townhome buildings greet visitors to Grand Preserve at Kanapaha, one complete with stucco, the others just concrete block, all surrounded by waist-high weeds. Just around the corner is an idyllic row of five colorful townhomes. Empty recycle bins on the side of the road show signs of life. On the small front porches are shoes, flowers and a flowing fountain. Across the street, a model home and a model townhome stand ready to show. A grid of roads in this development off Archer Road west of I-75 extends through weeds a half-mile to the south to support what was approved for 80 single-family homes and 160 attached townhomes on 40 acres. Toward the back, a sinkhole has devoured about 15 feet of roadway. Click Here>> Business Interests: Vote 'No' on Storm Water Fee
Lake City business owners told three City Council members Tuesday morning meeting at City Hall that this is not the time to impose a new fee. Entrepreneurs spoke to Mayor Stephen Witt as well as councilmen George Ward and Mike Lee about the proposed fee for storm water management in the city. The new storm water management utility fee will impact about 1,500 business interests in the city limits, City Manager Scott Reynolds said. Of those, 50 percent will pay only the $3 monthly fee because they have 2,087 square feet or less of impervious surface, including parking lot space. Click Here>> Progress Energy to Ask for Rate Hikes Totaling 30 Percent
Marion County's 60,000 Progress Energy customers could be hit with a utility bill increase after the power company this week asks state officials to allow it to charge customers an extra $11.42 per month. Progress Energy will go before the Florida Public Service Commission Thursday and Friday and ask permission to raise rates to recoup $395 million the utility has spent so far on its proposed Levy County nuclear power plant. Click Here>> County Revisits Ordinance to Protect Springs
There are two certainties for Florida: The population will grow, but the water supply won't.To address both issues, the state Legislature in 2005 created The Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida with the purpose of developing a vision for Florida for the next 25 and 50 years, and to make recommendations to lawmakers how best to use Florida's resources. The commission issues a report to the Legislature and governor each January. In this year's report, the need for a reliable water supply for this and future generations was at the top of the list of problems lawmakers must face and address. To that end, the Century Commission will host a water summit Sept. 25 and 26 in Orlando with 120 delegates from around Florida. Click Here>> Planning for the Future
Not every student who graduates from Columbia High School will go to college. A number of students will choose to take their diploma and enter the workforce in Columbia County, and school district officials want to make sure those students are prepared for the tasks the real world will throw at them. With that in mind, CHS continues to expand its career and professional education programs, with two new academies added for the 2008-2009 school year - the financial academy and entrepreneurship academy. Click Here>> State Group Tackles the Water Issue at Summit
There are two certainties for Florida: The population will grow, but the water supply won't. To address both issues, the state Legislature in 2005 created The Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida with the purpose of developing a vision for Florida for the next 25 and 50 years, and to make recommendations to lawmakers how best to use Florida's resources. The commission issues a report to the Legislature and governor each January. In this year's report, the need for a reliable water supply for this and future generations was at the top of the list of problems lawmakers must face and address. To that end, the Century Commission will host a water summit Sept. 25 and 26 in Orlando with 120 delegates from around Florida. Click Here>> Dunnellon City Council Looks to Lower Tax Rate, Though Water Rate Rises
The City Council on Monday approved a tentative 5.2266 mills property tax rate, a $3.29 million general fund budget, and a $389,624 tax increment financing district budget. The tentative property tax rate is 5 percent lower than the rollback rate of 5.5019. The rollback rate is the rate that would bring in the same amount of tax revenue as the previous year. Click Here>> Consultant: Area Needs Industrial Sites Ready
Marion County needs to develop industrial sites if it wants to attract industry in the future, a leading site selection consultant said Wednesday. John Rhodes, senior principal in the Moran, Stahl and Boyer consultant firm, told the annual luncheon of the Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Corp. that the county needs to get serious about developing new industrial sites or risk getting left behind when the economy recovers from the current slowdown. Just offering vacant land without infrastructure development is no longer enough, Rhodes said. Click Here>> VA Domiciliary Awarded $2 Million
The Robert H. Jenkins Jr. Veterans Domiciliary will get more than $2 million worth of capital improvements. Thursday afternoon the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez announced the facility was awarded a grant to make the improvements as part of a second renovation. Jim Earle, administrator of the Jenkins domiciliary, said he received word from state officials indicating the facility was awarded a $2,042,857 grant. He said the funds would probably be made available within 60-90 days. Click Here>> Gym Renovations Reach Halfway Point
Renovation work on the historic former Archer High School gymnasium has reached the halfway point. Exterior and structural work has been finished and now the interior renovation has begun. Those working on the project said they have also begun the second phase of fundraising that is necessary to help complete the project. Click Here>> MCBIA Calendar of Events Click Here>>
BANCF Calendar of Events
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State News  |
Researchers Aim for Hurricane-Resistant Housing
As Gustav and Hanna barreled toward the Southeastern United States and hundreds of thousands of residents evacuated coastal areas, teams of researchers raced into the paths of the storms. They came from Florida International University, the University of Florida and Clemson University and fanned out throughout the storm regions to set up mobile towers to collect data on wind speeds and pressure as the storms passed. They also attached sensors to homes near the towers to gauge the storm's impact on actual structures. The FIU team also collected data on storm surges as Gustav hit the Louisiana coast.
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Storms a Boon to Some Businesses
Tropical Storm Fay, which seemed to wander the state as it soaked countless communities, has left behind more than 31,000 insurance claims from individuals striving to rebuild as yet another storm, Ike, bears down on South Florida. While Fay had some impact on 65 of Florida's 67 counties, Floridians were spared the level of catastrophic damage that many can painfully recall from the busy hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005. Nonetheless, there's a business bounce as contractors help with recovery, hotels house the displaced, and suppliers and retailers restock building materials in demand.
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Independent Audit Coming for Impact Fees
In an effort to build credibility from the public on impact fees, county leaders have decided to put money where their mouth is. Manatee will spend up to $20,000 for an independent audit of an impact fee summary released earlier this year. The money won't come from countywide property taxes, but from the very impact fees summarized in reports from County Administrator Ed Hunzeker and County Commissioner Joe McClash in May. For years, developers and builders have asked for an independent audit of impact fees, the surcharges on new development to pay for the extra roads, parks and police that service new neighborhoods. After some initial reluctance to spend money on an audit, commissioners agreed Monday that an audit would put critics to rest.
Click Here>>
State Farm is Refunding $120 Million
Money back from your insurer? That's something Florida homeowners rarely see. But about 98,000 State Farm Florida policyholders will get refunds, averaging $1,225, over the next 12 months because the insurer failed to properly apply credits for wind mitigation. The refunds will total $120 million.
Click Here>>
Green Recovery Could Boost Florida Jobs
Florida communities could benefit to the tune of 120,000 new jobs created statewide through a concerted effort to invest in what proponents term a green recovery program - the centerpiece of a national report released Tuesday. Written by the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, the report was commissioned by the Center for American Progress and released by a coalition of labor and environmental groups. Earlier in the day officials in Tallahassee held a press conference at the Mary Brogan Museum to underscore the report's findings, which predict 2 million more jobs nationally.
Click Here>>
Developer May Invest $1 Billion on Tracts
Florida real estate may be out of favor, but Palm Beach Gardens-based developer Kitson & Partners plans to spend more than $1 billion on retail and residential property. Kitson said Wednesday it has raised $750 million from Evergreen Real Estate Partners, a Chicago-based private equity investor whose clients include public pension funds such as the Washington State Investment Board. If Kitson takes out mortgages on the properties it buys, it'll spend more than $1 billion, said Syd Kitson, chief executive of the firm. Kitson acknowledged that Florida's economic doldrums will continue for the near future. But he expects the Sunshine State to return to its former glory as a high-growth area.
Click Here>>
Alternative Construction Technologies Signs Exclusive Supplier Agreement for its Actech Structural Insulated Panels with Alvarez Construction Group of Florida
Alternative Construction Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an exclusive supplier agreement with Alvarez Construction Group, Inc. of Florida. Alvarez Construction Group is an emerging developer and an "on-site" builder of SHIP (State Housing Initiative Partnership) homes, "custom" affordable housing and low cost communities for elderly and retirees on fixed budgets. ACG is a design build firm that can also provide custom commercial and/or residential general contractor services, subcontractor services or developer services. Alvarez Construction Group has contracted to use the Alternative Construction Technologies' ACTech Panel system exclusively as its structural wall and roof components in all of its non-lumber and non-block construction jobs.
Click Here>>
Florida High Court Won't Hear Seminole Gambling Appeal
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday turned down a request from Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe of Florida to rehear a case that effectively invalidated a gambling contract between the state and the tribe. But that won't stop table gaming at Seminole casinos any time soon, said attorney Barry Richard, who represents the tribe.
Click Here>>
Energy Issues Draw a Crowd
Power companies across Florida are raising electricity rates and developers in Southwest Florida are taking notice, with nearly 100 people packing a sold-out Venice workshop on building energy-efficient communities. Some of the region's top development professionals and community leaders spent the day learning how to make new homes, subdivisions and entire communities use less -- and cleaner -- energy.
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National News  |
How Will Mortgage Bailout Impact Homeowners?
The government's historic bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on Sunday will be good news to homebuyers and some homeowners hoping to refinance if it leads to lower mortgage rates, as experts expect. But for homeowners already behind on their mortgage payments, or who owe more than their homes are now worth, the plan unveiled Sunday by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson offers little in the way of extra relief. Click Here>> U.S. Seizes Fannie and Freddie
Federal officials on Sunday unveiled an extraordinary takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, putting the government in charge of the twin mortgage giants and the $5 trillion in home loans they back. The move, which extends as much as $200 billion in Treasury support to the two companies, marks Washington's most dramatic attempt yet to shore up the nation's housing market, which is suffering from record foreclosures and falling prices. Click Here>> Delaware Wants to be First State to Install Wind-Driven Turbines Off Coast
Visitors to Rehoboth Beach, Del., soon may be greeted by more than sand dunes, sea gulls and beach umbrellas. If offshore wind advocates have their way, scores of 140-foot blades will be spinning in the ocean breeze nearly a dozen miles away, barely visible to the sunbathers. Offshore wind has taken a back seat to offshore drilling for oil and natural gas in the current energy debate. But those wind-driven turbines probably will be operating long before oil platforms appear off Atlantic Coast states. Delaware hopes to be the first state to construct a wind farm off its coast. The project, scheduled to be completed in 2012, is one of several offshore wind proposals that have cleared significant hurdles in recent months. Click Here>> Study: California Cities Among U.S.'s Most Expensive Housing Markets; Midwest Most Affordable
Californians rave about year-round sunshine, temperate climate and easy access to surfing, snowboarding and everything in between. But when it comes to getting the most out of their homebuying dollar, they've got nothing on homeowners in the Midwest, a new study suggests. Eight out of the top 10 most expensive housing markets in the U.S. are in California, while eight Midwestern cities are among the 10 most affordable markets, according to the Coldwell Banker Home Price Comparison Index released Tuesday. Click Here>> Construction Recession Nears End
Expect an end within a few months of the long decline in construction spending, already a 10.7% drop over twenty-eight months and at least double that after inflation adjustment. July construction spending fell 0.6% after June spending was revised sharply higher. The nominal value of construction spending reported monthly by the Census Bureau is essentially unchanged over the last eight months. Click Here>> House Nears Vote for More Oil Drilling
House Democratic leaders signaled Tuesday they will call for drilling off Florida's coast, shifting their stance after a month of Republican agitation over rising gas prices. Details were scarce, but House Democrats said they expect to vote this week on an energy bill that would allow for exploration off Florida, as well as the coast off Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The move comes as Republicans launch an election-year push for increased drilling as a response to rising gas prices, even in Florida, where polls suggest public opposition to oil drilling is softening. Click Here>> | |
Commercial News  |
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After Construction, LEED Certification Pays for Itself
Russell Albanese loves LEED. "I do believe it works on many different levels," said Albanese, president of Garden City-based developer Albanese Organization. "It's not only good for the environment, it's also good business. Corporate America is more looking to be in green buildings." Created by the U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design sets construction standards for energy efficiency, sparing water usage, and other healthful and nonpolluting features. Click Here>> DOT Reversal on Highway Trust Fund Fix is Welcome News
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) today applauded Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters' reversal of policy to support an immediate fix of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). The HTF, which funds highway and bridge construction projects and is funded by the 18.3 cents federal gas tax, is projected to run out of money by the end of the month. The funding shortfall is primarily due to continuing reductions in vehicle miles traveled by the nation's drivers who are reacting to high gas prices. "Unless Congress acts quickly to fix this shortfall, highway contractors will be forced to lay off workers at the peak of the construction season," noted Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of AGC. "Significant layoffs in the construction industry coupled with today's disappointing unemployment numbers should be of grave concern to anyone running for President or Congress this year," Sandherr added. Click Here>> Contractors Push Congress to Act In Final Days - Address Critical Economic Issues
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) today called on members of the U.S. House and Senate to focus on six priority areas - those that will most impact the ability of AGC members to hire, manage their businesses and pay taxes into the future - in the waning weeks of the 110th Congress. Click Here>> County to Debate Arches On Archer
Attempts by McDonald's to build a retro-style restaurant on Archer Road, complete with golden arches incorporated into the architecture, will get a public hearing now that the Alachua County Commission on Tuesday asked staff to work with the corporate giant to change county codes. Growth management officials contend the arches, which would reach from the ground through the eaves of the building above the roof, would not be in compliance with the county sign ordinance. Click Here>>
What Better Place to Focus on 'Building Green' Than in America's Schools?Clearview Elementary in Hanover, Pa., is a myth buster in how to build green. A wall that filters the sun helps reduce energy use by 38 percent, but here's the more amazing thing: Clearview cost virtually the same to build as a conventional school (1.3 percent more). Cost is not the barrier to energy-savvy construction that people think. Buildings of all kinds use three-quarters of America's electricity. Schools, whose hallways enfold almost everyone at some point, are a good place to focus on lightening America's energy footprint. And as places of learning, they can train up millions of students to think as naturally about conserving as they do about text-messaging. Click Here>> Force of Nature: Green Building Migrates Toward Mandatory as Governments Embrace LEED
In Broken Arrow, Craig Thurmond is struggling with the role of government in the green-building movement. A building consultant and City Council member, Thurmond leads a committee sifting through proposals to put green in Broken Arrow's building codes. Standards such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the widely used system devised by the U.S. Green Building Council, will make construction more expensive, Thurmond fears, hurting Broken Arrow as it competes against other Tulsa suburbs for commercial and residential development. Click Here>> U.S. Green Building Council Awards 13 Research Grants
The U.S. Green Building Council announced the recipients of its $2 million research grants for 2008 that are meant to advance sustainable building practices and encourage market transformation. The D.C.-based council's research fund is generating more than $1 million in matching funds and leveraging additional activities and partnerships. A quarter of the fund is dedicated to research on occupant impacts in K-12 schools. The council's research committee reviewed 216 pre-proposals and 38 full proposals spanning a broad range of topics. Grants ranging from $90,000 to $250,000 were awarded to 13 research teams. Click Here>> Nonresidential Construction Gains More Jobs in August The nonresidential construction sector gained 2,900 jobs in August on a seasonally-adjusted basis, according to a Sept. 5 report released by the U.S. Labor Department. Despite the nation's rising unemployment rate, the nonresidential job market saw an increase of 4,400 jobs in July, bringing the two-month gain in August to 7,300 jobs. In contrast, the residential construction industry continues to lose jobs. Click Here>> Congress Responds to Highway Funding Crisis
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate for swift passage of HR 6532, legislation that will transfer $8 billion from the general fund of the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). Passage in the House follows approval of the same bill Wednesday by the U.S. Senate. House and Senate leaders addressed the shortfall in a bipartisan fashion. The bill will prevent a shortfall in federal funds available to reimburse states for work undertaken on federal aid highways around the country. The delay in repaying the states would have jeopardized future state highway projects and slowed down the work on on-going federal-aid highway construction projects. Click Here>> Liquid Assets Documentary Debuts on Capitol Hill
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) co-sponsored the debut of Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure on September 9 at Washington, D.C.'s Newseum on Capitol Hill. The documentary, produced by Penn State Public Broadcasting, with support from AGC and other organizations, highlights the Nation's deteriorating water infrastructure and our need to reinvest in this most valuable asset. Click Here>> Upcoming Events Florida's Workers' Compensation Workshop
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