Thursday, May 3, 2012

Site work underway at Tupelo in Mount Pleasant, Construction of new homes to start in October

CHARLESTON, S.C. --- Ryland Homes has started site development for 155 single family home sites at Tupelo, located on Hwy. 17 North near Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant.

Brian Cartwright Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Ryland Homes in Charleston said Ryland plans to build new three, four and five bedroom designs priced from the $200s at Tupelo.

Development of an entry road is underway, along with site work for Phase I with 60 homesites.

Construction of model homes is expected to start in the fourth quarter of this year, and Ryland Homes will eventually build an amenity center with a swimming pool, Cartwright said.

Ryland Homes currently builds single family homes in seven communities throughout the Charleston-Myrtle Beach region. Visit www.ryland.com

About Ryland Homes
With headquarters in Southern California, Ryland is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and a leading mortgage-finance company. The company currently operates in 28 markets across the country and has built more than 285,000 homes and financed more than 235,000 mortgages since its founding in 1967. Ryland is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RYL.” Visit www.Ryland.com

Del Webb Orlando Residents Partner with Local “Green Bag Project” to Provide Food for Needy School Children in Polk, Osceola County

ORLANDO, Fla. – Residents of Del Webb Orlando, the award-winning active adult community located on Ridgewood Lakes Blvd. in Davenport just south of Orlando, have volunteered to assist the Green Bag Project, a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization that is currently providing food to more than 450 hungry children in Osceola and Polk Counties.

Sandi Peterson, volunteer and spokesperson at Del Webb Orlando, said its Community Service Club has partnered with Tom Brannigan a Polk County resident who organized the Green Bag Project. His group has opened food pantries in six elementary schools in Northeast Polk and Osceola Counties.

Children in need are identified by their school teachers. Nine basic food items are provided, and volunteers fill bags of food items for children to take home on weekends.

“Some kids have such a tough time at home that they go hungry all weekend,” Brannigan said. “Many are identified as homeless, and some of them live in extended stay motels with their families.”

Elementary schools provide breakfast and lunch meals during the week, but on weekends it’s a different story.

Several additional schools have requested that the Green Bag Project open weekend food pantries in their schools.

“There is a real and striking need to feed the hungry right here in Central Florida,” Brannigan said. “When a child is hungry, it doesn’t help to blame the parents, or the economy, or anyone else. We can’t have children going hungry in Central Florida and call ourselves a civilized society.”

“Our Club here at Del Webb Orlando hopes to have enough manpower and resources to one day sponsor an elementary school on our own,” Peterson said. “Meanwhile we’ll keep helping Tom who’s always looking for more resources and volunteers and we feel privileged to help support him,” she said.

The Community Service Club is one of over 15 chartered clubs and several small groups at Del Webb Orlando. Residents at Del Webb Orlando share in the desire to be active in their local community and reach out to make a difference though their many projects and events.

The 30,800 square foot Montecito Clubhouse is a happening place for residents at Del Webb Orlando with a full time lifestyle director and a vast array of educational, recreational and entertainment programs and events all year long.

About Del Webb
Del Webb, the pioneer of active adult retirement communities, is America’s leading builder of developments for people ages 55+. Since 1960, Del Webb has redefined retirement and retirement living by meeting the housing and lifestyle needs of the active Baby Boomer. Del Webb’s amenities and program offerings provide residents an engaging environment, which fulfills their creative, social, physical fitness and intellectual needs as they journey into the next chapter in their lives – whether it means retirement or still working. Del Webb has grown to more than 50 communities currently open for new home sales in 20 states. For more information on Del Webb, visit www.delwebb.com. To learn more about how to plan a smart future, check out financial tools at delwebb.com/value.

About PulteGroup
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is one of America’s largest home building companies with operations in approximately 60 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes and Del Webb, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide home buyers with innovative solutions and new homes designed for the way people actually live today. As the most awarded home builder in customer satisfaction, PulteGroup brands have consistently ranked among top home builders in third-party customer satisfaction studies.

For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, see pultegroup.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com

Crossman & Company Named Exclusive Leasing, Management Representative at Regency Pointe Shopping Center in Jacksonville

ORLANDO, Fla. /ATLANTA, Ga. – Crossman & Company, which ranks as one of the largest retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, has been named exclusive leasing and management representatives for Regency Pointe, a retail center located at 9428 Arlington Expressway in Jacksonville, Fla.

John Crossman, CCIM, president of Crossman & Company, said Regency Pointe includes 67,476 square feet of retail space anchored by the Olive Garden Restaurant and VisionWorks Optical Center.

Regency Pointe is currently 52 percent leased.

Crossman & Company Analyst Rochelle Dubrule is the leasing contact at Regency Pointe.

Crossman & Company currently leases and manages retail properties throughout the Southeast that total more than 16 million square feet.

About Crossman & Company
Headquartered in Orlando, Fla. with offices in Atlanta, Ga., Crossman & Company is a commercial real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the retail industry. Currently their portfolio under leasing and/or management exceeds 150 shopping centers throughout the Southeast US. Founded in 1990, Crossman & Company focuses solely on landlord representation and serves clients including Publix, PREIT, and GE. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Long Term Lease of 10,179 square feet at Semoran CommerCenter for the new Orlando location of Magellan Behavioral Health

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new seven-year lease agreement for 10,179 square feet of office/warehouse space in Suites 10 and 11 at 6830 Shadowridge Drive in the Semoran CommerCenter in southeast Orlando.

Robert Blackwell SIOR, principal at the firm, brokered the transaction representing the landlord, Semoran Commerce Center LLC based in Maitland, Florida. Avon, Connecticut based Magellan Behavioral Health Inc. is the new tenant, who was represented by Jamie Barati of Colliers International and Jamie Smith of Cassidy Turley in Baltimore, Maryland.

Semoran CommerCenter is being developed by Semoran CommerCenter LLC a joint venture between Bavar Properties Group and Realvest Development with 190,000 square feet of flex-warehouse space on an 18-acre site off SR 436 near Orlando International Airport.

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest in Orlando, serving all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

Lennar Unveils New Six Bedroom Model Home with 2,994 Square Feet of Living Space at Hawks Point in SouthShore area

TAMPA, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division has opened a new six bedroom single family model home at Hawks Point, located off 19th Avenue, west of U.S. 301 in the SouthShore area of Hillsborough County.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said the new model home features three baths in 2,994 square feet of living space with a two-car garage priced from $247,990.

Lennar is building townhomes and single-family homes on 40 and 50 foot home sites in the first phase at Hawks Point starting from the $130s.

City of Apopka and UCF Open Doors to 10th Business Incubator in Apopka, Welcomes First Client Company

APOPKA, Fla. --- The City of Apopka and the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program recently opened the university’s 10th incubator site located at 325 S. McGee Ave. in Apopka.

Gordon Hogan, director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said Compendium Software Systems LLC, a woman-owned, high-tech small business is the first client company to operate from the 8,000 square foot facility.

“We were previously working from the Sanford Incubator, which we loved but when we learned about the Apopka Incubator opening this year, we knew we needed to move to the more convenient location,” said Rachel Bragg, president of Compendium, providers of professional software system consulting and development.

Compendium is the creator of BrightFleet.com, a service that provides award-winning driver improvement solutions that help fleet owners save money and reduce risk by proactively identifying and mitigating risk among their drivers.

Hogan and Rick Parks, site manager at the UCF Business Incubator in Apopka, said they expect to add at least five more client companies this year once the companies complete the University’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship training program.

The UCF Business Incubator in Apopka which is easily accessible to major arterial highways, is equipped with a state-of-the-art training room that seats 40 with a large computerized presentation board and modern facilities with plenty of parking to accommodate training events and small seminars.

Hogan added the UCF Business Incubator in Apopka is designed to attract promising startup companies that will generate new jobs and new economic activity in Apopka.

“We are happy to have the University of Central Florida Business Incubator-Apopka program in our community and look forward to exciting things happening in Apopka,” said Mayor John H. Land.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder and executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 companies. In 2009 a study conducted by an independent firm said the program accounted for more than 1,600 jobs in the Central Florida area that year.

The UCF Business Incubation Program operates business incubation facilities in Orlando on the UCF Campus, at Central Florida Research Park near UCF and on East Colonial Drive, and in Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Daytona Beach, Sanford, Winter Springs and Leesburg in addition to Apopka.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

Nano Discovery a Finalist to Earn Third Annual Cade Museum Prize worth $50,000

ORLANDO, Fla. --- A nanotechnology company in Orlando is one of four finalists in the third annual Cade Museum Prize, which will award $50,000 to the Florida company that develops the most promising new medical technology.

Nano Discovery, Inc. (www.nanodiscoveryinc.com) was one of 120 companies to enter the competition sponsored by the Cade Museum for creativity and invention, named for Dr. James Robert Cade, a professor of renal (kidney) medicine at the University of Florida and the lead inventor of the sports drink Gatorade.

Dr. Qun Huo, founder and chief executive officer of Nano Discovery, LLC, and a researcher and member of the UCF faculty for seven years, piloted the discovery of NanoDLSayTM, an invention that represents an entirely new approach to detecting, identifying and analyzing bio-molecules.

By measuring unique interactions between bio-molecules using gold nanoparticles, NanoDLSayTM can provide information on disease markers — including cancer — that has never before been feasible and may lead to breakthroughs and understanding and diagnosing these diseases.

Some 30 judges evaluated initial entries seeking the Cade Museum Prize award, according to Cade Museum Executive Director Dorrie Hischman.

The Cade Museum Prize consists of $50,000 in cash, made possible by a grant from the Gainesville Community Foundation, and $10,000 in legal services to be provided by Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP from West Palm Beach.

Each of the three runner-ups will receive $2,500 in legal services.

Nano Discovery, LLC is a member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation program at Central Florida Research Park in east Orlando.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.

Ryland Homes Is Recognized With a 2012 ENERGY STAR® Leadership in Housing Award

Ryland Homes Charlotte earns award for building new homes that protect the environment through energy efficiency

Charlotte, NC – Ryland Homes is pleased to announce that it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2012 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award. This award recognizes the important contribution Ryland Homes has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 100 ENERGY STAR certified homes last year. Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately $45,594 on utility bills each year.

The environmental benefits of these ENERGY STAR certified homes are equal to the equivalent of:

• Eliminating the emissions from almost 50 vehicles;
• Saving 302,328 lbs of coal;
• Planting 82.62 acres of trees; or
• Saving the environment 592,926 pounds of CO2 per year.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 20% more efficient than standard new homes built today.

“We’re pleased to be awarded for our commitment to build so much environmental protection into our homes,” said Jay Thrower, division president for Ryland Homes in the Charlotte region.

ENERGY STAR certified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.

“ENERGY STAR builder partners offer new homes that are designed and built to standards well above most others on the market today” said Jonathan Passe, Director of EPA’s ENERGY STAR Residential Branch. “Because ENERGY STAR certified homes undergo rigorous independent inspections and testing, homebuyers who choose ENERGY STAR can be confident that their new home will offer real energy efficiency, comfort, durability, and value for years to come.”

Last year alone, with the help of ENERGY STAR and partners, Americans saved nearly $400 million on their utility bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 510,000 vehicles. More than 1.3 million ENERGY STAR homes have been built in the United States since the program first began labeling homes in 1995.

About Ryland Homes
With headquarters in Southern California, Ryland is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders and a leading mortgage-finance company. The company currently operates in 28 markets across the country and has built more than 275,000 homes and financed more than 230,000 mortgages since its founding in 1967. Ryland is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RYL.”

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 127,000 new homes were constructed to meet ENERGY STAR guidelines in 2011, by partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

VETERANS’ MOTORCYCLE CLUB RECOGNIZES LAW FIRM FOR SUPPORT OF POKER BIKE RUN AND GOLF TOURNAMENT

PORT ORANGE – Two members of the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Group, Florida Chapter 8, recently acknowledged the Rue & Ziffra law firm for its sponsorship of a recent benefit for the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Bikers and veterans John Trask and Sherman Burres visited the Port Orange-based firm Thursday [April 26] and presented an award of appreciation and certificate to David Sweat, a firm partner and avid motorcyclist who regularly participates in benefit rides.

“We feel fortunate to have worked alongside so many dedicated volunteers in helping put together a fun event for such a worthy cause,” Sweat said.

The April 14 event – dubbed “Bikes, Blue and Bogeys” – included a police-escorted poker run through Volusia and Flagler counties, a barbecue lunch with live entertainment and a golf tournament, Sweat said.

The Ormond Beach-based motorcycle group, a non-profit veteran-focused organization, works to educate the public about American prisoners of war and those missing in action who were left behind in all wars. The group presents various fundraising events throughout the year.

About Rue & Ziffra:
Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange, DeLand and Palm Coast. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

NAI Realvest Completes Sublease Agreement for Class A Office Space in the Lake Mary / I-4 High Tech Corridor

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a long-term sublease for 1,938 square feet of Class A office space in the Frontline Building at 7131 Business Park Lane in Lake Mary.

Senior Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM negotiated the sublease representing the sublessor Frontline Insurance Managers, Inc.

Sublessee Transportation Insurance Advisors was represented by Chuck Rudis of Coldwell Banker Commercial AI Group.

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest, serving all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Office Lease Agreement with Global Insurance Firm at Crystal Center in Lake Mary

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease of 2,666 square feet of Class A office space in the Crystal Center at 3300 West Lake Mary Blvd. in Lake Mary.

Senior Broker-Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Maya Associates LLC of Okemos, Mich.

The new tenant, Cunningham Lindsey, is a leading loss adjusting and claims management company with over 600 offices and 7000 employees worldwide. Kevin P. McCarron of CLW Real Estate Services Group represented the tenant.

About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, serving all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide. NAI Global is an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.NAIRealvest.com.

Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club Offers “Get Ready Golf” Program

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. --- Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club is offering a five-day course designed to learn the game of golf or build upon existing skills.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for ICI Homes, developer of Plantation Bay, said Scott Trethewey, Plantation Bay’s PGA Professional will lead the instruction and emphasized that the Get Golf Ready in Five Days is a new industry wide initiative endorsed by PGA/LPGA Professionals.

“Get Golf Ready in Five Days provides a casual yet structured setting using skill-enhancement formats to help participants become comfortable on the links and enable them to develop their skills as golfers,” Trethewey said. All for the affordable price of $99.

The first Get Golf Ready course will be offered at the Club de Bonmont practice range at Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. May 3 through May 31.

About ICI Homes
ICI Homes is ranked by Builder magazine as one of the top 100 homebuilders in the nation. The 32+-year-old firm builds new homes and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as in Jacksonville, Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa.