Cuhaci & Peterson Architects completes remodeling design for Winn-Dixie in Ft. Lauderdale

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners recently completed design work for remodeling of the Winn-Dixie grocery store on N. Ocean Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale. Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson, said the remodeling project totals 35,000 square feet and construction is to start soon.

Two New ‘Explore Del Webb’ Homes Open Now at Del Webb Naples for potential homebuyers to stay, experience the lifestyle before buying

Naples, Fla. – Del Webb Naples, is inviting active adults to book a reservation and stay in its newly opened “Explore Del Webb” homes to enjoy the amenities and lifestyle at the community located on Anthem Parkway in Ave Maria. With the Explore Del Webb program potential homebuyers can live the exciting, activity-filled life of a resident before they really are one, said Scott Mairn, vice president of sales and marketing for the south Florida division of Del Webb. Explore Del Webb guests can book either a 2-night or 3-night stay in the Tifton or Vernon Hill homes – new two and three bedroom, two bath plans with indoor and outdoor living areas and master suites that feel like you’re in a luxury spa retreat. Besides staying in a beautiful furnished home with a fully-equipped kitchen, the reservation allows guests to explore the Del Webb Naples community in their own golf cart and enjoy full use of the new Oasis Club amenities. It also includes a complimentary round of golf for two at the pristine 18-hole Panther Run Golf Course, 25 percent off pro-shop merchandise and free Player’s Club memberships with $25 Match Play at nearby Seminole Casino. “Taking advantage of Explore Del Webb is the perfect way to experience the amazing atmosphere and lifestyle that many active adults expect from a Del Webb community, and a great way for prospective buyers to test out the community and meet residents before they buy,” said Mairn. To participate in the Explore Del Webb program and schedule a visit to Del Webb Naples contact Crystal Sturgill at 239-304-7606.

Ashton Woods Homes Has Six Move-In Ready Town Homes nearing completion at Fountain Parke in Lake Mary

Lake Mary, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes is completing six luxury town homes at Fountain Parke, located off Rinehart Road north of Lake Mary Blvd. in Lake Mary and they will be ready for move-in by April. Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Orlando region, said the three and four-bedroom town homes range in size from 2,170 square feet of living space to 2,504 square feet and are priced from $224,990. Ashton Woods also has three professionally decorated and furnished models open for viewing at Fountain Parke.

NAI Realvest Negotiates Renewal Lease at Wekiva Center in Apopka

MAITLAND, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently completed a renewal lease agreement for 3,360 square feet of office space at Wekiva Center, 1706 E. Semoran Blvd. near the intersection of U.S. 441 in Apopka. Tom R. Kelley II, CCIM, principal at NAI Realvest, brokered the transaction on behalf of the landlord, Wekiva Center Partnership based in Maitland. The tenant is CORA Health Services, Inc.

Meritage Homes Holds Lottery to sell first of 20 home sites at Parkside Community in Dr. Phillips area

Orlando, Fla. --- Meritage Homes held a lottery recently to sell the first 20 home sites at Parkside, located on Apopka-Vineland Road and Buenavista Woods Boulevard in the Dr. Phillips area of southwest Orlando. Brian Kittle, vice president of Meritage Homes in the Orlando region, said 84 potential home buyers pre-qualified for residential mortgage loans to participate in the invitation-only lottery event at Bay Hill Country Club. Meritage Homes plans to build 315 new three, four, five and six-bedroom single-family homes at Parkside priced from the $400s. So far, nearly 500 families expressed an interest in buying a new home at Parkside, Kittle said. “Location is driving demand for new homes at Parkside,” Kittle said. “The Dr. Phillips area hasn’t seen much new community development in some time,” he explained. Meritage Homes, which builds single-family homes priced from the $200s in 17 Florida communities, reported sales increased by 24 percent in 2012 over 2011. Construction starts during the same period increased by 54 percent.

Team Florida, Team USA sets Classic Play March 29 at Amway Center

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The 15th Annual Seniors Showcase All Star Weekend highlight is scheduled March 29 starting at 2 p.m. with the Florida vs. USA teams taking the court. Hardwood Classic Director David D. Davis said the event is the centerpiece of the Senior Showcase All-Star weekend an NBA style All-Star event for many of the top high school basketball players in the country. The All-Star Weekend will start Wednesday, March 29 and continue through March 30. Players, according to Davis, will participate in various athletic, educational, community service and social activities throughout the weekend. Team rosters are available by contacting Davis at 407-687-0048.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects awarded contracts to design three Ale House Restaurants

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, Engineers Planners based in Baldwin Park was awarded contracts to design three Ale House restaurants -- in Winter Park, Queens, N.Y. and the Philadelphia area. Lonnie Peterson, chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson, said the restaurants average 10,000 square feet each and are located on Lee Rd. and Hwy. 17-92 in Winter Park, in the Rego Park neighborhood of Queens N.Y. and in the Philadelphia suburb of Springfield, Pa.

UCF Executives Forge Ties with Colombian Universities to Support Emerging Innovation Economy

Orlando, Fla. --- University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization was selected to participate in a special trade mission to Bogota, Colombia to share best practices and collaborate on opportunities for building technology transfer, commercialization and entrepreneurship capacity with some of the top universities, research centers and technology development organizations in Colombia. “Our selection to participate in this trade mission is a testament to our strength and leadership in providing a continuum of programs that result in successful technology transfer, research commercialization, and economic development outcomes” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, associate vice president for Research and Commercialization at UCF, and founder of UCF’s internationally recognized Business Incubation Program. Michael O’Donnell, executive director of UCF’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Rafael Caamano, director of the UCF Business Incubation Program in Kissimmee, and Robin Phelps, team leader in UCF’s GrowFL program represented UCF on this trade mission. The three met in Bogota with representatives of 20 Colombian universities and research organizations to discuss technology transfer processes, entrepreneurship support services, and capacity-building programs. The three-day trade mission was jointly sponsored by iNNpulsa, the Colombian government agency that supports innovation and entrepreneurship, the U.S. Commercial Service in Bogota, and intellectual property and technology transfer law firm Becker & Poliakoff. "The objective was to exchange knowledge and experiences and explore opportunities for collaboration," O’Neal explained. “The caliber and the quality of the collaborative opportunities were outstanding” stated Michael O’Donnell. “We received a large number of expressions of interest from the Colombian participants for follow-up discussions,” O’Donnell added. In addition to UCF’s structure and approach to technology transfer, other areas of interest were UCF’s Venture Lab and Business Incubation programs as well as Florida Angel Nexus capital fund. One new program that generated quite a bit of discussion from the participants is UCF’s U.S. Soft Landing Program, a series of services and access to facilities intended to connect international startups with marketing, businesses development and other services, according to Caamano. “International startups can tap into the rich ecosystem of commercial opportunities in the U.S. We already have our first Soft Landing client from Colombia,” Caamano said. “Our participation in this program is consistent with and is in support of one of UCF’s top strategic goals to be America’s leading partnership university. This was an opportunity to forge stronger international academic ties with a country that may just be one of the greatest turnaround stories in recent history,” stated O’Neal.