Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Lennar’s Autism Awareness Walk at Concord Station in Land O’ Lakes nets $5,701.50 in contributions to Pasco Public Schools

TAMPA, Fla --- Lennar’s Central Florida Division recently presented a check to the Pasco County School Board in the amount of $5,701.50 to benefit the autism programs throughout the Pasco County school system.

The funds were raised during an Autism Awareness Walk in May that Lennar hosted at Concord Station in Land ‘O Lakes.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said he was delighted to present the check to school board members.

“A community is more than a collection of homes, it’s a sense of shared purpose and a responsibility for all its members,” Metheny said.

More than 30 volunteers participated in the Autism Awareness Walk.

Free Teen Safety Driving School Gets Ready to Rumble

DAYTONA BEACH – If your teen-age driver could use some hands-on experience behind the wheel you still have time to sign him or her up for a free safe-driving class on July 14 at the Daytona Auto Mall, 1420 N. Tomoka Farms Road.

The one-day Teen Safety Driving School classes, which are scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m., are being presented by Gary Yeoman’s Ford Lincoln in Daytona Beach and the Port Orange-based law firm of Rue & Ziffra. This is the second such driving class offered by the two businesses. Because the February 18 session filled up so quickly, a second class was scheduled.

The classes will be taught by professional instructors who will give teen-age drivers the knowledge to help them avoid an accident and the experience they need to help them survive a crash. The sessions will focus on the fundamentals of safe driving, as well as the dangers of being behind the wheel.

Classes are open to drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 who have either a valid Florida Driver’s License or a driver’s permit. They will be taught in four separate 2½-hour classes of 25 students each. Cars will be provided and each will be fitted with a drift machine that helps drivers control their car.

Interested students – or their parents - must pre-register by visiting www.garyyeomansford.com or www.rueziffra.com.

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 30 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.

Del Webb Ponte Vedra Dinner Club Honors Memory of Resident, raises more than $800 for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

PONTE VEDRA, Fla. --- The Dinner Club at Del Webb Ponte Vedra at Nocatee hosted a dinner recently in memory and to honor Brad Chaffin, a resident who recently passed away, and raised more than $800 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Guy R. Dietz, president of the Dinner Club of Del Webb Ponte Vedra, said Woody’s Barbecue catered the dinner at the Anastasia Clubhouse at Del Webb Ponte Vedra.

More than 150 residents and guests attended the dinner, Dietz said, and volunteer members of the Dinner Club set up, served and then cleaned up afterwards.

Dietz became active in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraising after losing his granddaughter to Leukemia. Six years ago Taylor Ashley Dietz passed away at age five.

Del Webb Ponte Vedra offers Estate, Classic, Garden single-family homes priced from the mid-$100s. This community has a model park with nine model homes to tour and a community garden.

The amenities are robust including the $14 million Anastasia Club in Del Webb Ponte Vedra with a grand ballroom, social café, fitness center and techno-gym equipment, movement studio, indoor spa, steam and sauna room, indoor and outdoor pools, outside tennis courts, and pickleball and bocce ball courts. Residents also enjoy their very own Central Park, where they can actively garden and enjoy an outdoor concert in the amphitheater.

Del Webb Ponte Vedra at Nocatee is located at 124 Del Webb Parkway, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081.

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.

Emerson International Completes long term Renewal / Expansion Lease at Sanlando II with its Largest Tenant Sentry Management

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – Emerson International, which develops Class A office buildings, luxury condominiums and golf course communities, recently completed a lease expansion/renewal agreement for class A office space totaling 34,682 square feet at Sanlando II located at 2180 W. S.R. 434 in Longwood.

Eric Emerson, vice president and general manager of Emerson International, said Tenant Sentry Management, Inc. renewed its 28,214 square feet at Sanlando II for five more years including another 6,468 square feet expanding its occupancy to 34,682 square feet.

Emerson International Commercial Portfolio Manager Kenneth Koch negotiated the expansion/renewal agreement.

Sentry Management, which specializes in property management, condominium and home owner association management, is Emerson International’s largest tenant at The Sanlando Center.

About Emerson International
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 in the U.K.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects chosen to design Price Choppers Grocery Store in Gardner, Mass.

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park recently was recently awarded a contract to design a new Price Choppers grocery store on Main Street and Sherman Street in Gardner, Massachusetts.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the food store will comprise 65,000 square feet of space when it opens this year.

NAI Realvest negotiates sale of industrial condominium at Anchor Road Commerce Center in Casselberry

ORLANDO, Fla. — NAI Realvest recently negotiated the sale of an industrial condominium in Anchor Road Commerce Center at 206 Reece Way in Casselberry.

Michael Heidrich, a principal at NAI Realvest, negotiated the sale representing the seller, Anchor Road Commerce Center, LLC of Maitland.

Cross Bridge LLC purchased unit 206 with 1,200 square feet in shell condition for $72,000.00. The buyer will handle interior buildout of the space.

Brian Smith of Smith McIntosh Properties, Inc. represented the buyer.

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 325 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.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Completes Designs of New Publix supermarket in Vero Beach

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, recently completed design work on a new Publix supermarket at Harbor Point on U.S. Hwy. 1 and 53rd Street in Vero Beach.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman of the Baldwin Park firm said the new supermarket will include 45,000 square feet of space as well as approximately 47,000 square feet of retail.

Peterson added that the construction is already underway on the new facility.

NAI REALVEST NEGOTIATES NEW LEASE AGREEMENT FOR VERITAS PARK ACADEMY IN CASSELBERRY

ORLANDO, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 2,100 square feet of retail space at 204-298 E. Semoran Blvd. in Casselberry.

NAI Realvest associate Aron Harrison was the lead broker who negotiated the transaction–assisted by principals Kevin O'Connor and Matt Cichocki– representing the new local tenant, Veritas Park Academy, Inc. a private school with grades 3 through 8.

Delray Beach based HHH Management, Inc. is the landlord.

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.

Emerson International Negotiates 3 Lease Agreements for 12,820 square feet of Office Space

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – Emerson International recently negotiated three long term lease agreements for office space totaling 12,820 square feet at Major Center Plaza in Southwest Orlando and Sanlando Center in Longwood.

Kenneth Koch, commercial portfolio manager at Emerson International said Florida International College signed a new lease for 3,905 square feet of office space in Major Center Plaza at 5750 Major Center Blvd.

Both Koch and Zac Starkey of Emerson International negotiated a new five-year lease agreement with North Orlando Spine Center, LLC for 2,447 square feet of professional office space in the Sanlando Center, 2160 West SR 434 in Longwood.

Sentry Management renewed its lease for five more years in the Sanlando Center at 2180 West SR 434 and expanded by another 6,468 square feet for a total occupancy of 34,682 square feet at Sanlando Center.

About Emerson International
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 in the U.K.

First Green Bank Earns Prestigious Five-Star Rating from Independent BauerFinancial Inc. for Second Year in a Row

MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- First Green Bank was the only Lake County bank and one of only five banks in Central Florida to earn the prestigious Five-Star rating from BauerFinancial, Inc., the independent community bank rating group based in Coral Gables.

Kenneth LaRoe, chairman of First Green Bank, said BauerFinancial rates community banks every quarter based on asset quality, loan portfolio, underwriting standards and ratio of net worth to assets.

Banks with a high amount of delinquent loans usually have a “problematic” rating of two stars or below.

The Five-Star Rating was no surprise, LaRoe said. The Lake County-based community bank earned the Five Star rating last year as well.

BauerFinancial released its quarterly ratings of 17 Central Florida community banks recently. The Five-Star rating is BauerFinancial’s highest.

Harrison Ranch Rip Tides Swim Team Sees Big Wins at Sun Coast Swim League Championship July 29 at G.T. Bray Aquatics Center

PARRISH, Fla. --- The Harrison Ranch Rip Tides expect to come away with more than a handful of medals from the Sun Coast Swim League Championship July 29 at G.T. Bray Aquatics Center in Bradenton.

Rip Tides coach Amanda Hatcher said six teams will compete in the championship meet, which starts at 3 p.m., and she hopes the Rip Tides’ 35 swimmers will place in as many as 30 events.

“We have a fantastic team and they have had an amazing season so far,” Hatcher said.

The team, composed of swimmers age 5 to 15 who live in Parrish and Palmetto, practices at the junior Olympic-size community swimming pool at Harrison Ranch twice a week.

“Our kids’ parents are very hands-on with the swim team,” Hatcher said. One parent---Mike Loefgren of Harrison Ranch---was named assistant coach.

Hatcher said the young swimmers work hard, and the Harrison Ranch swim program focuses on developing athletic abilities along with personal skills.

One standout---five-year old Olivia---started the season as a shy wallflower.

“Now Olivia is placing in 90 percent of her events and she’s really come out of her shell,” Hatcher said.

Hatcher said more than a dozen Rip Tides swimmers regularly place in their events.

The Pulte Homes community of Harrison Ranch offers new single-family homes with three to seven bedrooms priced from $138,990 to $239,990, ranging from 1,447 square feet of living space to 3,476 square feet. Amenities include a 6,500 square foot community center with full-time lifestyle director, planned resident events, a state-of-the-art fitness center, junior Olympic-size swimming pool, media/gameroom, tennis courts and children’s playground. For more information, call 866-830-4648 or visit www.pulte.com/tampa.

About Pulte Homes
Award winning Pulte Homes communities are designed to deliver the best quality of life for home owners. By combining innovative life-enhancing designs, an unwavering commitment to quality and attention to detail, Pulte Homes is the nation’s premier home brand for upwardly mobile home buyers in 26 states and the District of Columbia. As the most awarded homebuilder in customer satisfaction, Pulte Homes has ranked tops in the annual JD Power and Associates® New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Studysm more than 75 times since 2000. For more information about Pulte Homes, visit www.pultehomes.com.

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

NAI Realvest Negotiates $680,000 Purchase of Three Acre+ Site for a Primrose School and Daycare Center in Longwood

MAITLAND, Fla. – NAI Realvest recently negotiated the acquisition of 3.16 acres at 2715 W. SR 434 in Longwood that will be developed as a 12,000 square foot Primrose School and Daycare Center.

The NAI Realvest team of Matt Cichocki and Kevin O'Connor, principals, negotiated the transaction representing the local buyer and developer, Guepro, LLC who paid $680,000 for the property. The seller is the Wekiva Presbyterian Church, Inc.

This is the second Primrose School site located by Cichocki and O’Connor and Primrose plans to develop five more schools in the Orlando area within the next two years.

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.