Building Trends
November 2008
HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida
Summer 2008
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Election Day has come and gone, and it was indeed an historic day for our country. In the aftermath of the national elections, I was struck by the words of both Sen. McCain and President-elect Obama. Both spoke eloquently about the need for everyone in this country to work together to steer us through the economic crisis we have before us. It will be interesting to watch in the coming days and weeks to see what kind of leadership team our new president puts together, because what we need is a group that represents all Americans and one that can solve the problems we are facing.
That brings me to the local elections. In Marion County, the two commission candidates we endorsed - Stan McClain and Mike Amsden were elected, and that should mean the commission will respond favorably to issues that will help the county's economy.
In Alachua County, the three incumbents - Mike Byerly, Paula DeLaney and Rodney Long - were all re-elected. No matter what was said by anyone on any side during the campaign, I believe we all agree on one thing - we all want what is best for Alachua County. Where there is disagreement is how to achieve that. I think it is imperative for all of us who believe that growth done effectively is the only recourse to improve our economic conditions, continue to be heard. We need to find a way to work with local government to get this county moving forward again economically. I don't think taxing us into obvlivion is going to do it, but obviously I am in the minority. I think all of us in the building industry and the business community must speak up, speak often and provide a voice that has to be heard so that we can impact growth in a positive way.
Jake's Corner
Building Trends Magazine
Our Premiere issue of Building Trends is now out. While the changes are a work in progress, early feedback has been very positive. Our website is being converted as well, so please bookmark the new location at www.buildingtrendsmagazine.com In the meantime, you can still view the magazines here. Our cover story is on Lake City's Isaac Bratkovich and Isaac Construction. Jake Fuller dazzles once again with his cartoon. Our Association News covers events at BANCF, MCBIA and CCBA. We have embraced the changes requested from September's survey and have started adding trends to the issue.
Our December issue is now in production. We feature 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.
We kick off 2009 with Bryan Zecher Construction. Building since 1992, Bryan is one of the premier builders in Columbia County, focusing on both residential and commercial construction. He is also scheduled to be the next president of the Columbia County Builders' Association.
Commercial Building Trends Magazine
The Fall 2008 issue of Commercial Building Trends, featuring Paradigm Properties is now in production. Collier Enterprises and Paradigm Properties have been constructing student apartment housing for numerous years. When you receive your copy, please let me know what you think about the new logo.
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.
HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida™
The October/November issue of HOME has been extremely well received. As was the case with previous issues, we are having trouble keeping them on the shelves. Our cover story for this issue is our SEC Champion Womens Soccer Coach, Becky Burleigh. This issue also includes the launch of our new chef's corner, fashion corner, travel corner and health and fitness corner. We also cover the 2008 Gainesville Chamber Business of the Year award reception. I think this is clearly our best issue to date.
The December/January issue of HOME: Living in the Heart of Florida is now in production. We are thrilled to feature Rod and DeeDee Smith on the cover. We have continued to expand on our community's premier lifestyle publication. The buzz surrounding HOME continues to grow. We are now in over 600 locations around town, clearly the largest in the area. Our mailing list has grown dramatically as well. We have received requests for subscriptions in the last few weeks from individuals in four different states that are relocating to our area. They have received the magazine when contacting either a local realtor, the Chamber or Shands, who all have us in their relocation/distribution packets. If you would like to reach the newcomers moving to our area or over 30,000 readers already here, please click here. If you would like to find out about subscribing to HOME, please click here. |
Local News  |
Republicans Hold Marion County Commission Seats
Republicans narrowly held onto the two Marion County Commission seats up for grabs Tuesday. In District 1, GOP candidate Mike Amsden fought off a surprisingly tough bid by Democrat Diana Butler for the seat held by outgoing Commissioner Andy Kesselring, who had served eight years but opted against a re-election bid to make a run for the state Legislature (He lost to Kurt Kelly.) Click Here>>
County Goes After Grants To Turn Foreclosed Houses Around
Some of the Wall Street bailout cash might filter down to Main Street in Marion County. County officials are unveiling a plan to help identify areas pummeled by the mortgage credit crisis in order to receive up to $6.3 million in federal grants designed to stabilize poor or rural neighborhoods threatened by blight and plummeting property values. Officials are looking for neighborhoods with a proliferation of foreclosed homes or the potential of more foreclosures in the near future.
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Are We Immune? Forbes Says Lake City is in Good Shape to Weather Economic Crisis
According to Forbes magazine, Lake City is in good shape to weather the current economic crisis. Unfortunately, also according to the magazine, some of our neighbors can't make the same claim. In the most recent issue of Forbes, the magazine lists the most and least vulnerable towns in the United States. Using criteria that focuses on 141 micropolitan areas in the nation, Lake City ranks 95th out of the 141 - the higher the ranking, the better, Forbes explained.
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County Shows it's not Afraid of TaxesThe economy is in the tank, voters last year passed a tax cut measure, and local campaign advertising harped on how residents are taxed too much. So what did Alachua County voters do? Pass two new taxes. The two-year, half-cent Wild Spaces and Public Places sales tax referendum that was too close to call late Tuesday night was approved, 58,167 votes to 54,536. Click Here>> Clark Butler's Life Celebrated by HundredsThose who spoke of S. Clark Butler at his celebration of life on Wednesday recalled a man with magnificent baby blue eyes, a wry smile, generous spirit, incisive mind, moral fortitude and a mild propensity for fishing. "We will never know how many souls he touched in his lifetime, but we do know he left a lasting impression of charity and compassion," said U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns of Ocala. "He indeed embodied the American Dream, and in a way he transcended it by encouraging others." Click Here>> Dupree, Frisina Secure County Commission SeatsBuilder Jody DuPree won the Dist. 3 seat on the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners defeating David N. Rountree Tuesday night. DuPree collected 3,296 votes or about 52.5 percent of the total votes cast. Rountree collected 2,975 votes or about 47.4 percent of the 6,271 votes cast. Click Here>> Stearns Hardily Wins Re-ElectionU.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns cruised to re-election Tuesday, defeating Democratic challenger Tim Cunha in Florida's 6th Congressional District. The Ocala Republican was beating Cunha by a 60 percent to 40 percent margin with most of the votes counted in unofficial results. He will be serving his 11th term representing an eight-county district that includes parts of Gainesville and Ocala. Click Here>> Democrat Grayson Takes Rep. Keller's House SeatVoters on Tuesday sent two of three congressional incumbents representing Marion County back to Washington, re-electing Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, and Cliff Stearns, R-Ocala, while incumbent Ric Keller, R-Orlando, lost in an upset to Democratic challenger Alan Grayson, according to unofficial vote totals. Brown-Waite, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2002, had 61 percent of the vote - with more than 95 percent of precincts reporting late Tuesday night - in her race against Democratic opponent John Russell. This was the second time Russell, a registered nurse, tried to unseat Brown-Waite, 65. Click Here>> Rep. Boyd Gains Votes
The number of votes separating state Rep. Debbie Boyd and Republican challenger Elizabeth Porter has grown, but the District 11 contest still appears headed for a recount. Initial results from Tuesday's election showed Boyd, D-Newberry, leading Porter, a Columbia County commissioner, by 42 votes. A late-arriving batch of votes from Alachua County widened the margin to 165 votes. Click Here>> County Adopts New Regulations on Fertilizer UseMarion County commissioners on Tuesday passed new regulations on fertilizer use, the first piece of a set of broader comprehensive rules designed to protect the community's springs and groundwater. The move came after 4 1/2 hours of debate about an issue that has lingered before commissioners for nearly four years. The decision in one respect was a nod by the board to the advocacy of outgoing County Commissioner Andy Kesselring, who initially proposed tougher water protection regulations soon after he won re-election in 2004 and was a few hours away from learning whether his bid to win a seat in the Legislature would be successful. Click Here>> Sinkhole Solutions Surfacing
Long lines of yellow tape still guide parents zigzagging through the Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School parking lot and away from a sinkhole that developed in late August. It's been nearly two months since a car-sized sinkhole developed in the school's parking lot, just yards away from another large one that opened up in the school's retention pond. Click Here>> Mayor Delays Chairman SelectionThe Downtown Development Committee asked Lake City Mayor Stephen Witt to appoint outgoing City Councilman Mike Lee as its chairman, but the mayor took no action Monday night. Until some point after the Nov. 5 swearing-in ceremony of either Jake Hill Jr. or Greg Ridilla to replace Lee as the city councilman from District 12, Witt said, there will be no chairman named to that committee. Appointments of City Council members to all committees will happen later, Witt said. Click Here>> Entrepreneurial Spirit Fills Downtown StoresHistoric Downtown Lake City is not only a Mecca for shoppers, but for entrepreneurs. Merchants fill vacant spaces - but more store space is available. One returning tradesman recently returned after leaving downtown in the summer before the turn of the century. Click Here>> Munroe Leaders Meet to Discuss its Financial AilmentsBright and early Wednesday, local leaders gathered in a conference room at Munroe Regional Medical Center to learn about the hospital's financial health, or rather, ailments. The meeting was organized by the Munroe Foundation in an effort to educate local leaders about sustainability of the hospital. Click Here>> Officials Pass New Business OrdinancesMarion County has primed the pump for a local economic recovery. Now the question is: Will they come? On Tuesday, county commissioners unanimously passed a pair of ordinances designed to lure new businesses, or entice existing ones to grow, by streamlining their permitting process, offering tax breaks and providing other incentives to hasten the development of an industrial or commerce park. Click Here>> Waste Could Power Your HomeFrom your garbage can to your light switch. In the next few years, Progress Energy customers will need to look no further than their household waste for the source of electricity that will power some of their homes. Progress Energy has a new agreement to buy electricity from a Tennessee-based company that plans to convert area household garbage to electricity and do it with almost no pollution emissions. Click Here>>
BANCF Calendar of Events Click Here>> MCBIA Calendar of Events
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State News  |
Amendment 3 Passes Without Recount in Florida
An amendment creating property tax exemptions for residential hurricane-proofing and energy efficiency improvements is going into the Florida Constitution without a recount. The Elections Canvassing Commission headed by Gov. Charlie Crist declined to order a recount Saturday for Amendment 3 although it passed by less than a percentage point. Click Here>> Fla. Supreme Court Considering Tax Cap Amendment
A day after election polls closed, the Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday on what could be one of the hottest issues on the state 2010 ballot if justices approve it. The proposal is a citizen initiative that would cap property taxes at 1.35 percent of the highest taxable value of a home, business or other real estate, although voters could approve exceptions. Click Here>> Amendment 4 Passes, Gives Conserved Land Tax Break
A constitutional amendment that would give landowners a tax break if they agree to put their property permanently or temporarily off-limits to development has passed. The measure will create conservation as a new land-use classification, giving conserved property a lowered tax assessment similar to agricultural land. Legislators will decide how long property must remain undeveloped to meet the criteria. Click Here>> Developers Snap Up U.S. CondoTwo Halifax development firms have scooped up a Florida condominium complex at a bankruptcy auction for US$21.9 million. Southwest Properties and Armco Capital teamed up to buy the majority of The Place at Channelside, a 243-unit building in Tampa's Channel District. The two companies formed Channelside LLC, which bought the complex Oct. 15, Southwest CEO Jim Spatz said Tuesday. Click Here>> Citizens Offers Commercial Insurance
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. said it would begin offering a commercial nonresidential multi-peril policy on Nov. 17. The new policy will be available to eligible nonresidential risks located statewide, Citizens said in a release. Click Here>> Amendment 6 Passes, Aims to Help Maritime IndustryAmendment 6, meant to throw a lifeline to Florida's maritime industry by giving it a property tax break, has passed. The measure on Tuesday's ballot said marinas, bait shops, boat yards and other maritime businesses would be assessed at their current use. State policy now says they should be taxed at their "highest and best" potential use, like a coastal hotel or condominium complex. Click Here>> Consumers Cry Foul Over Citizens' Shift to Low-Rated FirmsConfused and angry, some Citizens Property Insurance policyholders charge that the state is using a "sneaky" ploy to move them out of the state-run insurer into questionable start-up companies. Their concerns have prompted consumer advocates and insurance industry observers to issue a warning: Do your homework. Click Here>> Sansom Expects Fla. Budget Deficit to GrowIncoming House Speaker Ray Sansom said Wednesday he expects Florida's budget deficit to increase by another $700 million, but still believes a special legislative session won't be needed to address the shortfall. Forecasts by state economists have consistently underestimated state revenues over recent years due to a worsening economic slump. They expect the revenue estimate to drop again when they next meet Nov. 21 to revise the figure. Click Here>> Recount may be Needed for Amendment 3
Florida election officials could be forced to recount millions of ballots to decide if voters have approved a property tax break. Amendment 3 would give an exemption to owners of residential properties for hurricane-proofing and energy efficiency improvements such as storm shutters and solar water heaters. Secretary of State Kurt Browning said Wednesday that results show it hovering just above the 60 percent needed to pass state constitutional amendments. Click Here>> l Volusia Home Builders Sue Over School Impact FeesThe Volusia Home Builders Association -- whose customers have been socked by more than $66 million in school impact fees over the past six years -- filed suit this week seeking to have the practice declared unconstitutional.Impact fees are charged for every new home that's built. In theory, new construction adds to the burden of educating additional students in Volusia County public schools. Click Here>> Floridians Pass Three of Four Business-Related AmendmentsFlorida voters passed three of four business-related amendments on the ballot Tuesday. The votes will provide tax breaks for certain home improvements, land conservation and working waterfronts, but rejects a funding mechanism for community colleges. Click Here>>
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National News  |
Survey: Almost Half Buying Homes for First Time
Low home prices and excess supply helped drive a rise in first-time home buyers and reduce excess inventory, according to a study released Saturday by The National Association of Realtors.
According to the survey, which was released at the 2008 Realtors Conference & Expo, the number of first-time buyers rose to 41 percent from 39 percent of all transactions in 2007. "First-time buyers are much more flexible in entering the market because they aren't concerned about selling an existing home," National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement. Click Here>>
Government Sees Fewer Getting Mortgage ReliefThe government expects only 20,000 troubled borrowers will apply to refinance into more affordable home loans by next fall under a new mortgage aid program passed by lawmakers over the summer. The $300 billion 'Hope for Homeowners' program was launched Oct. 1. Designed by lawmakers eager to respond to the mortgage crisis, the Congressional Budget Office had projected it would let 400,000 troubled homeowners swap risky loans for conventional 30-year fixed rate loans with lower rates. Click Here>> Chase to Halt New Foreclosures for 90 Days
JPMorgan Chase won't put any more homes into foreclosure for the next 90 days while it implements a plan to help borrowers stay in their homes, the company announced Friday. The plan will include proactive offers to refinance mortgages to more affordable terms and a network of 24 regional counseling centers. Click Here>> Economy: What NowThe wear-and-tear of a 22-month campaign may seem like a Caribbean vacation next to what awaits President-elect Barack Obama when he takes over as the 44th president of the United States. In his first year in office he will have to tackle a mountain of complex and unprecedented problems facing the country. His agenda will be driven by the need to stabilize the financial system and the pained economy. Click Here>> 'Underwater' Need Not Mean Foreclosure
What does being "underwater" in your house really mean? Probably not that you're drowning. The number of underwater homeowners -- those who owe more on their mortgages than their home is now worth -- has been growing sharply since 2006 as real-estate prices have tumbled. By some estimates, between one in six and one in eight homeowners are in that position, most of them people who bought homes in the past few years or who put down small or no down payments. Click Here>> Now Open: NAHB National Green Building AwardsThe National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced today that applications are now being accepted for the 2009 NAHB National Green Building Awards. The prestigious annual awards honor home builders, remodelers, home builders' associations and other organizations for advancing green building through innovative design and construction techniques, excellent educational programs and successful advocacy efforts. Click Here>> Home Builders Congratulate President-Elect Obama, Urge Quick Action on Housing StimulusThe National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today congratulated Senator Barack Obama on his election as the nation's 44th President and all the lawmakers who were elected to the 111th Congress. "The nation's home builders look forward to working in a bipartisan manner with the incoming Obama Administration and new Congress to help solve our nation's economic crisis and get housing and the economy back on track," said NAHB President and CEO Jerry Howard. Click Here>> DBPR Secretary Addresses FHBA MembersAs Florida Home Builders Association President Jay Carlson shared several weeks ago in FHBAction News, this economic downturn requires innovative and creative solutions from state and local government. As the Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, I have a role in helping support the economy by removing burdensome, unnecessary regulation and expediting the licensure of Florida's professionals-without jeopardizing public safety. I also have an integral role in protecting our licensed professionals from the damages caused by unlicensed activity. Click Here>> Does Green Energy Add 5 Million Jobs? Potent Pitch, but Numbers Are Squishy
Calls for a clean-energy system in the U.S. have long met with sticker shock. Now, the cost of making the transition -- hundreds of billions of dollars -- is being touted as a selling point. President-elect Barack Obama and his energy advisers have been making the case that a multibillion-dollar government investment in everything from wind turbines to a "smart" electrical grid is just what's needed to help revive the economy. The lure is millions of government-subsidized "green jobs." Click Here>> Hopes Fly for Another Stimulus PackageBarack Obama rode a wave of economic discontent to the White House and now faces the daunting task of turning the weakening economy around. Business groups wary of Obama's populist campaign rhetoric hope to make common cause with the Illinois senator and other congressional Democrats by pushing for an economic stimulus package, possibly as early as this year. Click Here>> | |
Commercial News  |
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Holiday Inn and Suites Feted for Gowing Green
On Thursday, the Lake City Holiday Inn & Suites was the first hotel in the city to achieve the Florida Green Lodging Program's coveted One Palm certification. The Department of Environmental Protection program bestows the certification only on hotels and motels that comply with the program's "green" requirements.
Click Here>> U.S. Construction Spending Drops, but Nonresidential GainsConstruction spending around the country fell in September, but a rebound in nonresidential activity helped offset continued weakness in home building. The U.S. Commerce Department on Monday reported that construction spending dropped by 0.3 percent in September, less than the 0.8 percent decline many economists had been expecting. Spending had risen by 0.3 percent in August after a huge 2.4 percent plunge in July. Click Here>> Credit Freeze, Economic Slump Chill Construction, AGC Says
"Nonresidential construction is on the verge of a potentially long slide," Ken Simonson, Chief Economist for The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), warned today. Simonson's comments followed reports from the Census Bureau on construction spending in September and the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) on third-quarter and expected activity. "The Census figures show nonresidential spending eked out a gain in September of 0.1 percent," Simonson noted. "But private nonresidential spending was down nearly 1 percent from its high-water mark in June, while public spending tumbled 1.3 percent in September alone. Click Here>> Construction Industry: NYC Regulations Overzealous
It takes a lot of paper to raise a crane in New York City these days. On top of maintenance records and operator certification tests, engineers have to sign off before cranes are raised or dismantled. The city also requires documents that prove a safety meeting was held before work begins.It may seem like a lot to ask for, but New York is seeking to become a national example after two deadly crane collapses in Manhattan killed nine people this year. Click Here>> AGC Presents the Student Chapter Service AwardThe Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) awarded the AGC Student Chapter Service Award to Iowa State University in recognition of continued service to their community and a positive reflection on the construction industry. "This special recognition of Iowa State is well deserved for their long-time service and dedication to the communities still struggling in Katrina-devastated areas," said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of AGC. "We are proud to recognize these students for their remarkable commitment to public service." Click Here>> Election Provides Hope for Economy and Bipartisan Legislative PrioritiesThe Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) today reacted to the presidential and congressional election results with plans to continue its 90 year history of working in a bipartisan fashion to promote the needs of the nation's construction industry. "The construction economy supports the American economy," said AGC chief executive officer, Stephen E. Sandherr. "In the next administration, AGC will focus on targeted spending initiatives as it works in support of construction priorities that will boost the overall economy and create jobs." Click Here>> ABC Comments On Favorable IRS Proposed Contractor RuleABC Nov. 3 filed comments with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) expressing overall support for a proposed rule that reverses a long-standing agency position limiting how construction contractors can use the completed contract method (CCM) of accounting. Click Here>> Upcoming Events AGC of Greater Florida Calendar of Events Click Here>>
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