Friday, April 16, 2010

UCF, St. Cloud, Osceola County to Host Grand Opening April 28 for New Business Incubator

ST. CLOUD, Fla. - University of Central Florida, The City of St. Cloud and Osceola County officials will participate in the grand opening of the new UCF Business Incubator–St. Cloud facility at 3201 Budinger Ave. in St Cloud on April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Gordon Hogan, director of operations for the UCF Business Incubation Program, said the new 14,000 square foot facility will launch an exciting new addition to economic development activity in Osceola County.

Four incubation client companies plan to locate offices in the new facility immediately, Hogan said, and the UCF Business Incubation Program expects to name a full time site manager within the next 30 days.

Eventually, the UCF Business Incubator-St. Cloud could accommodate as many as 20 client companies.

“We provide a wide range of services that accelerate the growth of promising young companies so they can play a greater role in economic expansion in the local area,” Hogan explained.

The UCF Business Incubation Program currently supports nearly 90 full-time client companies, Hogan said, and ranks as one of the premier university-based incubation programs in the U.S.

Since 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 140 emerging companies generate more than $800 million in annual revenues and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000,” Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said.

Incubators are a great place to start a new company. They significantly increase your chances of success. In fact, research has shown that 87 percent of incubator graduates are still in business five years after graduating from an incubation program.

“In these tough economic times, it is essential to grow our own companies. The new UCF St. Cloud incubator is not only a great resource for our entrepreneurs, but also a great tool to add to our economic development tool box,” said Maria Grulich Toumazos, Osceola County Economic Development Administrator.

“St. Cloud is very excited to have one of the premiere incubation programs in the country in St. Cloud. The UCF Business Incubator-St. Cloud will not only assist in growing our own companies, but will help to achieve the long-time goal of diversification in the local job markets and the overall economy,” said Ernie Gearhart, Economic Development Consultant for the City of St. Cloud.

The St. Cloud incubator facility is one of seven in the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation program. Additional incubator facilities are located at UCF Campus, Research Park in east Orlando, and in Orlando, Sanford, Winter Springs and Leesburg.
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For more information about this release, contact:Gordon Hogan, Director of Operations, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-1577, ghogan@mail.ucf.edu; Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu;Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program:Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 140 emerging companies (including more than 90 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With seven facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County and the City of St. Cloud, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

Volusia County Law Firm Employees Participate in American Cancer Society's Annual Relay for Life Walk

PORT ORANGE – Nearly a dozen employees from the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra will take part in the 2010 “Relay for Life of Port Orange” on April 30.

The walk, an annual event to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society, will begin at 5 p.m. at the City Center Complex, 1000 City Center Circle.

The 18-hour relay – one of many being held throughout the state – consists of those who have cancer, those who are remembering loved ones and others who are fighting back against the disease.

Other highlights of the event will be the inspirational Survivors’ Lap and a candlelight ceremony.
Lynne Cheekv, a case manager for the Port Orange-based firm, will serve as captain for the Rue & Ziffra team.

“We’re honored to have Lynne lead our group this year,” firm President Allan Ziffra said.
“Community service is no stranger to her as she’s chaired other service committees and received a community leadership award from the Volusia Council of Governments for her work.”
Ziffra said his firm raised around $4,000 last year for the American Cancer Society. “We hope to top that this 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 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 and Orange City.

For more information about this release, please contact:
Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or allanz@rueziffra.com; Shane Snipes, Promotions/Advertising Director, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or shanes@rueziffra.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Lennar Starts Construction of New Model Home At Riverhall Country Club, Completion Scheduled in Record 14 Days

FORT MYERS - Lennar started construction of a new four-bedroom, three-bath model home at Riverhall Country Club off Palm Beach Boulevard in Alva on Monday, April 12 with plans to open the new model home---complete with all furnishings and interior décor---by April 25.

Matt Devereaux, director of sales for Lennar’s Southwest Florida Division, said the record 14-day construction event has everyone excited.

“We planned the construction schedule down to the hour, and our crews are committed to completing the new home in record time,” Devereaux said.

The 2,433 square foot model home with swimming pool will offer a three-car garage and an eye-popping low price.

“We wanted to demonstrate Lennar’s commitment to this community in a way that would generate attention,” Devereaux said. “We want our customers to have a chance to see the quality of our construction and what a beautiful home they can get for such an unbelievable price.”

Lennar is building new single-family homes priced from the mid $100s at Hampton Lakes at Riverhall and within the community’s Country Club section, Devereaux said. Lennar offers a variety of floor plans that range in size from 1,677 square feet of living space to 3,283 square feet.

Lennar is providing free Riverhall Country Club golf membership with all new homes in the community’s country club section, Devereaux said, including member privileges at the 20,000 square foot town hall amenity center that includes a lagoon style swimming pool, private fitness facility, billiards room and full time activities director.
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For more information, contact:
Matt Devereaux, Director of Sales, Lennar-Southwest Florida 239-278-1177; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Mattamy Homes Reports Sales of 90 Homes in March

ORLANDO - Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, the U.S. arm of Canada’s largest home builder, reported it sold 90 new homes in March at communities in Orlando, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Phoenix and Minneapolis-St. Paul areas.

Steve Parker, president of Mattamy Homes U.S. Group, headquartered in Winter Park, said the past month ranks as the homebuilder’s second best month for new home sales in the U.S. after January of 2009, when the company posted 92 sales.

Parker said the average sale price of a Mattamy-built home in March was $240,000.
Mattamy’s Jacksonville division posted sales of 31 new homes at an average sale price of $237,000, Parker said. Mattamy Homes U.S. Group builds new single-family homes in nine Jacksonville-area communities.

For more information, contact:
Steve Parker, President Mattamy Homes U.S. Group 407-599-9994; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

About Mattamy Homes U.S. Group:
Mattamy Homes www.mattamyhomes.com expanded into the U.S. in 2003 and is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla. with divisions in Orlando, Jacksonville Phoenix, Minneapolis and Charlotte. The homebuilder, the largest and most active in Canada with annual revenues exceeding $1.3 billion was ranked among the highest of all homebuilders in the greater Toronto and Ottawa areas in a nationwide customer satisfaction survey conducted by J.D. Power Associates.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contract to Design Repainting of Equity One Building in Lake Mary

ORLANDO - Cuhaci & Peterson Architects LLC based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park was recently awarded a contract to design the repainting of Equity One’s office building in Lake Mary.

Lonnie Peterson, president of Cuhaci & Peterson, said the project totals 340,000 square feet of office space.

The Equity One Orlando division office building is located at 3577 Lake Emma Rd. in Lake Mary

For more information contact: Lonnie Peterson, Chairman Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100; Jed Downs, President Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, 407-661-9100; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Orlando Sanford International Airport Starts Site Work to Build Commercial Aircraft Hangar

SANFORD - Spolski Construction Inc. of Sanford has started site work at Orlando Sanford International Airport to build the airport’s largest hangar at 2551 Hellcat Lane.

Diane Crews, vice president of administration for the Sanford Airport Authority (SAA), said the $5 million project will result in the airport’s first commercial aviation hangar, a 53,351 square foot facility that includes 44,000 square feet of hangar space, 4,000 square feet of maintenance shop and 5,351 square feet of office space.

When the hangar facility opens in January 2011, the Sanford Airport Authority will lease the facilities to Avocet Capital, LLC. The SAA Board recently approved a 20-year lease agreement with the commercial aviation maintenance provider.

Avocet currently leases more than 36,000 square feet of space at Orlando Sanford International Airport and will relocate to the new facility upon completion, Crews said.

For more information, contact: Diane Crews, VP of Administration, Sanford Airport Authority, 407-585-4021; Larry Dale, President, Sanford Airport Authority; 407-585-4002; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

NAI Realvest Negotiates Two New Office Lease Agreements totaling 7,887 square feet in Maitland

ORLANDO - NAI Realvest recently negotiated two new lease agreements for a total of 7,887 square feet at office facilities in Maitland.

NAI Realvest Principal Tom Kelley II, CCIM and Senior Broker Associate Mary Frances West, CCIM negotiated a lease for 4,187 square feet at 2200 Lucien Way representing the landlord Lucien Way LLC.

Riesel Texas based Specialty Publications of Orlando leased the space for three-and-a-half years. Betsy Owens of Cushman & Wakefield represented the tenant.

Kelley also brokered a two-year lease of 3,700 square feet at Maitland Professional Office Village representing the landlord Marlyn Felsing LLC of Winter Park. The Borack Law Group is the tenant who will occupy suite 330 at 630 North Wymore Rd. in the office park.

For more information contact: Tom Kelley, CCIM, Principal, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989, tkelley@realvest.com; Mary Frances West CCIM, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 mwest@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, President NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com; Beth Payan or Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

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. lage representing the landlord Marlyn Felsing LLC of Winter Park.

NAI Realvest negotiates new long-term lease agreement for 10,700 square feet at 33rd Street Industrial Center in Orlando

ORLANDO – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new seven-year lease agreement for 10,700 square feet at 4624 LB McLeod Rd. in the 33rd Street Industrial Center in Orlando.

Michael Heidrich, a principal at NAI Realvest, brokered the transaction representing the landlord, Columbus, Ohio-based 33rd Street Properties LLC.

The tenant is Metro Skateboard Academy, Inc. of Orlando.

For more information, contact:
Michael Heidrich, Principal, NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989 mheidrich@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com; Beth Payan or Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 Lvershelco@aol.com

About NAI Realvest:
NAI Realvest in Orlando, 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.

Lennar Acquires 120 Home Sites at The Cascades at Southern Hills in Brooksville, To Build New Homes Priced From the $130s

TAMPA - Lennar has acquired 120 home sites at the Cascades at Southern Hills, a gated adult community located on Cotillion Blvd. off Southern Hills Blvd. one half mile east of U.S. 41 (Broad St.) in Brooksville.

John Greer, spokesman for the developer of The Cascades at Southern Hills, said Lennar plans to build detached single-family villa homes in the 55+ age restricted community, priced from the $130s.

Lennar is set to start construction of two model homes immediately.

New homes at The Cascades at Southern Hills will range in size from 1,350 square feet of living space to 2,000 square feet featuring premium finishes throughout like granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and brick paver walks and drives.

Lawn care, cable service and high speed internet connections are some of the services provided by the Residents Association in the Cascades. Southern Hills is also home to the Plantation Club gated community and the award winning Pete Dye designed Southern Hills Golf and Country Club.

Greer said he is delighted Lennar will build homes at the Cascades at Southern Hills. “Lennar has been building successful adult communities for more than 50 years. They have a great reputation for customer service and they are one of the most successful home builders in the Tampa Bay Region, Florida and the nation”

For more information contact: Francine Miller, Director of Sales & Marketing Lennar-Tampa Region, 727-479-1747; Mark Metheny, Lennar Division President-Central Florida, 727-479-1700; Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

NAI Realvest negotiates $4 Million sale price for 46-Acre development site–largest land transaction in Palm Coast in two years

MAITLAND - NAI Realvest recently negotiated the $4,000,000 sale of a 46-acre commercial development site on Colbert Lane and SR 100 off I-95 in Palm Coast.

The site is fully entitled and permitted to develop over 300,000 square feet of mixed-use space, according to Chris Butera, associate at NAI Realvest who negotiated the sale along with principal and managing partner, Paul P. Partyka representing the seller, Ormond Beach-based Colbert Lane LLC.

The transaction was the first part of a project workout that includes an additional 32 acres of permitted land for a total of 78 acres, Butera said.

The purchase was made by Coral Gables-based Gold Royal Asset, LLC and ranks as one of the largest land transactions in the Palm Coast area in the past two years.

For more information, contact:
Chris Butera, Associate NAI Realvest 386-453-4789 cbutera@realvest.com; Paul P. Partyka, Managing Partner/Principal NAI Realvest, 407-875-9989, ppartyka@realvest.com; Patrick Mahoney, Principal/Chief Operating Officer, 407-875-9989; Beth Payan or Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

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.