Wednesday, June 6, 2012

NAI Realvest Negotiates New Lease with MSC Industrial Supply at Semoran CommerCenter Phase I

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 7,785 square feet of industrial space in Suites 3 and 4 at 6830 Shadowridge Drive in the Semoran CommerCenter in southeast Orlando.

Robert Blackwell SIOR, principal at the firm, negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, Semoran Commerce Center LLC based in Timonium, Md. MSC Industrial Supply is the new tenant and was represented by Matt Sullivan and Bobby Isola of Colliers International.

Semoran CommerCenter Phase I – consisting of Buildings A and B with a total of 119,533 square feet – is currently 92 percent leased with only 10,096 square feet remaining in Building A. Phase II is now under development.

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.

BDG Construction Services of Maitland Earns NBIA Award at International Conference

Maitland / Winter Springs, Fla. --- BDG Construction Services in Maitland, a graduate of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Winter Springs, recently received the National Business Incubation Association’s 2012 Outstanding Incubator Graduate Client of the Year Award in the Non-Technology Category.

The award was presented at the NBIA’s recent international conference in Atlanta, according to Esther Vargas-Davis, site manager for the UCF Business Incubation Program.

A commercial general contractor that provides retail, medical, office and public construction services throughout Florida, BDG Construction Services joined the UCF Business Incubator in Winter Springs in 2009.

With the help of the incubator staff, founders Jay Brown and Kevin Guffee took on a larger business development role, actively networking with business and community leaders across the region to make people more aware of the company and its services. The effort paid off.

“BDG’s reputation as a client-focused contractor capable of managing all aspects of a construction project grew and we began winning bids,” said co-founder Guffee.

By the time BDG graduated from the incubator, their revenues had quadrupled.

“The goal of business incubation is to help accelerate the growth of viable companies in order to generate more economic activity and more local jobs,” said Gordon Hogan, director of the UCF Business Incubation Program.

Many of our client companies focus on technology sectors, and technology is usually the most exciting aspect to business incubation, but non-technology companies generate a great deal of economic growth in most communities,” Hogan said.

About BDG Construction Services, LLC
BDG Construction Services, LLC is a Florida based general contractor that builds and renovates a variety of commercial construction projects including retail shopping centers, restaurants, office spaces, and medical facilities.

About the National Business Incubation Association
With more than 7,000 business incubators worldwide, the NBIA – the world's leading organization in advancing business incubation – estimates that in 2005 alone, North American incubators assisted more than 27,000 start-up companies that provided full-time employment for more than 100,000 workers and generated annual revenue of more than $17 billion, according.

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.

Bishop Construction Group Earns Continuing Service Contract from Orange County Public Schools

SANFORD, Fla. --- Bishop Construction Group, Inc. (BCG), the Sanford-based minority-owned construction company specializing in water intrusion remediation, commercial construction, design/build and project management services, was recently awarded, along with five other construction firms, a continuing general construction services contract with Orange County Public Schools.

BCG will be one of the six selected to actively bid OCPS construction projects ranging from $15,000 to $250,000. The annual expenditures of this contract are estimated to be close to $3,000,000 collectively district-wide among all firms.

To date, BCG has been awarded two contracts in two months with a combined value of $53,000. The contract covers work at OCPS facilities from March, 2012 through March, 2013.

Steven Bishop, president of Bishop Construction Group, Inc. said the one year contract for general construction services – such as site work, concrete work or air conditioning – includes an option to renew for an additional two years.

Bishop Construction Group, Inc. is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program and located in Sanford at the UCF Business Incubator on West First Street in downtown Sanford.

About Bishop Construction Group
Bishop Construction Group, based in Orlando, is a family owned construction company and a Certified Building Contractor established in 2001. The firm offers water / mold remediation, commercial construction, design / build and project management. The company provides services to developers, municipalities, educational and correctional institution as well as the private sector.

Bishop Construction is certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) by the National Minority Supplier Development Council of Florida, Inc. (NMSDC) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).

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.

Innovative iPhone, Android app for emergency evacuation wins Geocove 2012 Florida Governor’s Public Information Award

ORLANDO Fla. --- An innovative iPhone and Android app that alerts and directs residents in Lee County in the event an emergency evacuation is declared, won the 2012 Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference Public Information award recently for Geocove, Inc., and its client, Lee County.

Karyn Tareen, president and chief executive officer of Geocove, Inc., and Lee County GIS Manager Amy Hoyt were presented with the award before more than 1,300 participants at the Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference in Fort Lauderdale.

Geocove engineers developed GeoEvac, a mobile device app available for free for iOS and android-based-phones or devices, Tareen explained.

In Lee County, GeoEvac is available in the iTunes App Store or Android Play Market as LeeEvac, which gives citizens and other concerned parties information about hurricane surge evacuation zones, locations of shelters and updates whenever an emergency evacuation within Lee County is declared.

“The LeeEvac app represents another technically advanced GIS tool for the residents and visitors of Lee County,” Tareen said. “In addition to providing evacuation information that is accessible and relatable at all times to residents and visitors, notifications will instantly warn affected parties in the event of a disaster,” she said.

Tareen said Geocove plans to market the GeoEvac app to other counties and cities.

Lee County Emergency Planning Manager Gerald Campbell said LeeEvac was high on his wish list when Geocove began working with the county.

“Amy and Karyn were able to take an emergency management “wish” and turn it into a functioning app using data and technology that was already available to us,” Campbell said.

Awards committee members lauded Geocove’s and Lee County’s innovative public-private partnership.

Geocove is a GIS technology company that provides assessment, reporting and mapping tools for emergency management, building officials, public health and other government agencies as well as utilities and private industries.

Geocove is an authorized partner of Esri, the world’s leading GIS software provider.

Geocove is a member of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in the Central Florida Research Park in East Orange County.

About Geocove
Geocove, Inc. provides scalable assessment solutions built using the power of GIS across a multitude of industries. The Geocove team has extensive experience in providing assessment, reporting and mapping tools for emergency management, building officials, public health and other government agencies as well as utilities and other private industries. Geocove, Inc., a privately held corporation located in central Florida, is an authorized partner of Esri, the world’s leading GIS software provider. Please visit www.geocove.com or www.facebook.com/geocove.

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.

ABD Development Company wins grand award, first place award ‘Best Community’ for Providence in HBA of Metro Orlando’s Parade of Homes

ORLANDO, Fla. – Providence, the 1,800-acre master planned golf course community ABD Development Company is developing just south of Orlando near Disney World was the biggest winner in the recent Central Florida Parade of Homes sponsored by the Home Builders Assn. of Metro Orlando.

Providence earned the Parade’s Grand Award for community development and Parade judges named Providence the winner of the Parade’s First Place award for area communities.

Emerson International Reports Sales of 28 New Homes in May at Eagle Creek Golf Course Community in Southeast Orlando

Altamonte Springs, Fla. --- Emerson International reports it sold 28 new homes in May at the Eagle Creek golf course community located on Narcoossee Road in southeast Orlando.

Eric Emerson, vice president and general manager of Emerson International, said the average sale price of a new home at Eagle Creek in May was $345,000.

Since Jan. 1, 85 new homes have been sold at Eagle Creek for a total of $30 million. Centerline Homes is the exclusive builder at Eagle Creek.

Emerson International is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Emerson Group, the global corporation that is one of the largest privately-owned property development companies.

Top Executive at NAI Realvest Appointed Court Receiver for Commercial Property on Hwy 192 in Kissimmee

MAITLAND, Fla. – Mez R. Birdie CCIM, CPM, SCSM, director of retail and investment services at NAI Realvest, has been appointed court receiver for the retail property located at 4727 W. Highway 192 in Kissimmee.

Birdie said he will report to the Circuit Court of the 9th Judicial Circuit in Osceola County.

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 through NAI Global, an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built their 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 Sale of 23-Lot Single Family Subdivision near DeLand High School

DeLand, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of a 23-lot single family residential subdivision called Wild Acres located on Mystic Oaks Lane off N. Hill Avenue in DeLand.

Chris Butera investment associate at NAI Realvest in Maitland, negotiated the sale representing the seller, Ormond Beach-based Wild Acres, LLC.

Atlas Homes, LLC of DeLand paid $184,000 for the developed homesites located just across from DeLand High School.

About NAI Realvest
NAI Realvest, covering 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 Retail Lease of 2,000 square feet at Shoppes Bear Lake in Apopka

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 2,000 square feet of retail space at Shoppes Bear Lake Suite 112, 3030 E. Semoran Blvd. in Apopka.

Robert Blackwell SIOR, principal at the firm, brokered the transaction representing the tenant, A.A. Double, LLC, doing business as Wise Up, an English language school.

American Federated Title Corporation, based in Hollywood Fla. is the landlord and was represented by Brian Jones with Select Strategics.

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.

Integrity Home Loan of Central Florida names Junior Simmonds, MBA Senior Loan Officer in Lake Mary

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Integrity Home Loan of Central Florida, Inc., which provides residential mortgage financing through seven branch offices throughout Central Florida, has appointed Junior Simmonds senior loan officer.

Matthew Malloy, president of Integrity Home Loan of Central Florida, said Simmonds retired from the U.S. Army, earned his MBA Degree from Belhaven University. He has 10 years of experience as a mortgage loan officer originating FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional loans. Simmonds will be working out of Integrity’s Lake Mary office.

Crossman & Company chief executive officer to moderate ICSC Conference in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. --- John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company in Orlando, will moderate a panel discussion on retail marketing at the International Council of Shopping Centers Summer Conference at the Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore, 2225 N. Lois Ave, in Tampa on June 12.

Crossman will moderate a panel discussion on new and re-development activity in the Tampa Bay region. The panel will also discuss retail activity and information distributed at the recent ICSC ReCON conference in Las Vegas.

Panelists include George McBee, president of GMM Consulting LLC in Tampa; Jay Miller, senior vice president of Equity Incorporated in Tampa, Mitchell Rice, chief executive officer of RMC Property Group in Tampa, Paul Rutledge, executive vice president of operations at Casto Development in Sarasota.

The Tampa ICSC June 12 conference will begin at 5:30 (on-site registration) and continue with panel discussion and networking until 8 p.m.

Advance registration (http://www.icsc.org/apps/meeting_display.php?meeting=2012S35) costs $35 for ICSC members, $50 for non-members and $15 for students. Registration at the door costs $50 for members, $65 for non-members and $15 for students.

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.

INTEGRITY HOME LOAN OF CENTRAL FLORIDA EXPANDS LAKE MARY OFFICES

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Integrity Home Loan of Central Florida is expanding its offices on International Parkway in Lake Mary.

Matt Malloy, president of Integrity Home Loan of Central Florida, said the firm recently added 3,000 square feet of space to the Lake Mary headquarters facility bringing the total office space occupied at the 901 International Parkway building to 13,000 square feet.

“This will enable us to hire more professionals to handle our workload,” Malloy said.

Stirling Sotheby's International Realty closes on Sale of Lake Nona Area Estate Home to San Diego Chargers’ Jared Gaither

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty recently closed on the sale of a $1,275,000 luxury estate home overlooking Lake Hendon in St. Cloud to NFL star Jared Gaither of the San Diego Chargers.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said Cassandra Gaither of the firm’s Orlando/Dr. Phillips Marketing Center negotiated the sale representing the buyer.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty was also listing agent for the property representing the seller in the transaction.

The five acre lakefront estate, located in the gated community of Lake Hendon Reserve was built in 2008 by custom builder Tommy Tillson. The luxury home features six bedrooms, six full baths and two half-baths in 9,283 square feet of living space with a six car garage.

Tillson designed the luxury home with vaulted and cathedral ceilings throughout, a fireplace, gas appliances a home theater, screened patio and entertainment area, swimming pool and hot tub.

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty:
Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.