Konover South Announces Two New Leases at Publix-Anchored Poinciana Place Shopping Center in Kissimmee, FL

KISSIMMEE, FL – Deerfield Beach-based Konover South, LLC, one of the Southeast’s premier retail developers, announced two new leases at its Publix-anchored, 107,138-square-foot Poinciana Place shopping center at US 192 and SR 535 in Kissimmee, FL.

Gemstone Properties has signed a lease for 2,972 square feet and Elite Vacations has signed a lease for 1,277 square feet. Company leasing specialist Michael Fetherston represented Konover South in the transactions.

Other major tenants include Blockbuster Video and Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill, as well as Electronics World, Hershey’s Ice Cream, NYPD Pizza and others.

Konover South, LLC, a fully integrated acquisition, development and management company operating throughout the southeastern U.S., is based in Deerfield Beach, FL. Visit the company’s website at http://www.konoversouth.com/.

CONTACT:

Kenneth H. Cristol,

President,

Cristol Marketing Company

237 Hunt Club Blvd., Suite 102,

Longwood, FL 32779 USA

PH 407-774-2515

FX 407-774-6647

khc@crismktg.com

http://www.crismktg.com/

Strategic Marketing, Brand Management,

Publicity and Advertising, and Corporate Communications

Downtown Phoenix Hotel Corp's $157M Bonds Rated At 'BBB-'; Outlook Stable

(Photo above depicts early evening skyline view in Downtown Phoenix)

NEW YORK, NY -- Standard & Poor's Ratings Services assigned the 'BBB-' underlying rating on Downtown Phoenix Hotel Corp.'s $156.7 million hotel net revenue bonds. The outlook is stable.

Proceeds are being used to build a 1,000-room, 33-story convention center headquarters hotel in downtown Phoenix called the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix (renderings and photos shown on this page.)

The hotel is scheduled to open in October 2008 and will operate under a Sheraton Corp. flag. The construction is currently on time and within budget.The stable outlook is based on the hotel's ability to attain its projected financial performance.

We may lower the rating if construction is significantly delayed or if there are excessive cost overruns. The rating may also be lowered if coverage levels, once the hotel is operational, are lower than projections as a result of delays in completion that impede revenue generation, a prolonged economic slowdown, or other competitive factors that reduce net hotel revenues.

Although it is not expected at this time, a successful track record of operating and financial performance well in excess of forecasts could result in an upgrade, after the hotel reaches stabilization.

Complete ratings information is available to subscribers of RatingsDirect, the real-time Web-based source for Standard & Poor's credit ratings, research, and risk analysis, at www.ratingsdirect.com. All ratings affected by this rating action can be found on Standard & Poor's public Web site at http://www.standardandpoors.com/.

Media contact:

Mimi Barker, New York

(1) 212 438 5054

Analyst Contacts:

Jodi E Hecht, New York

(1) 212-438-2019

Matthew Hobby, New York

(1) 212-438-6441

9,000 Realtors Expected to Attend Mid-Year Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo in Washington, D.C. May 12-17.

(Photo above shows the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road NW, Washington, DC, where the six-day session will be held.)

WASHINGTON, DC--More than 9,000 Realtors(R) are expected to attend meetings and visit lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for private property rights, homeownership and housing issues during the Realtors(R) Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, May 12-17.

Realtors(R) will be actively lobbying for mortgage lending reforms and FHA modernization, continued separation of banking and commerce, and affordable insurance through small business health plans. Realtors(R) will hear firsthand the latest updates on the legislative and regulatory issues affecting today's real estate industry.

In addition, key legislators, federal agency representatives and top industry executives will address attendees at several sessions during the meetings. NAR's Centennial Celebration also continues during the conference, with special events and programs celebrating 100 years of leadership in the real estate industry.

Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow (top right photo) will kick off the conference at the Legislative and Political Forum on Tuesday, May 13, 8-9:30 a.m., in the Marriott Ballroom, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

Snow's White House experience and his quarter-century in the news business give him a unique perspective, and he will provide his unvarnished insights and observations on the upcoming presidential election, the candidates, where they stand on the issues, and whether they have what it takes to lead a great nation through challenging times.

Snow will be joined by Paul Begala, (photo at left) Democratic strategist and CNN political analyst, and Tucker Carlson, (top left photo) MSNBC senior campaign correspondent. Begala and Carlson will offer their insights on the 2008 election from both sides of the political spectrum.

Chair of the House Financial Services Committee Barney Frank, (photo at right) D-Mass., will speak at the Public Policy Coordinating Committee on Thursday, May 15, 7:30-9:30 a.m., in Marriott Ballroom Salon 1 in the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

An outspoken advocate for homeownership preservation and housing opportunities and resources, Frank will share his perspectives and vision for policies to restore consumer confidence in the nation's housing and mortgage finance system.

NAR's Chief Economist Lawrence Yun (photo at left) will share the latest outlook for residential real estate during the Economic Issues and Residential Forum on Thursday, May 15, 8-10 a.m. in the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Marriott Ballroom Salon 2.

Later on Thursday from 1-3 p.m., Yun will provide an overview of the national commercial market and forecast future market conditions at the Economic Issues & Commercial Business Trends Forum at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, Ambassador Room.

CONTACT:

Shelaine Jackson of National Association of Realtors,

+1-202-383-7515,

sjackson@realtors.org.

National Association of Realtors Web Site:

http://www.realtor.org/

Clancy & Theys Construction Co. Completes New Lake Mary Events Center in Lake Mary, FL

(Above photo shows the completed Lake Mary Events Center, 260 North Country Club Road, Lake Mary, FL)

LAKE MARY, FL – The Orlando-based Florida Division of Clancy & Theys Construction Company, one of America’s leading contractors, completed the new 20,000-square-foot Lake Mary Events Center located at 260 N. Country Club Road in Lake Mary, FL.

The new center, the only one of its kind in Central Florida, will be utilized for civic activities, weddings, business conferences and other special community events. Clancy & Theys partnered with C.T. Hsu + Associates, P.A., Orlando, on the design-build project.

Clancy & Theys Construction Company, founded in 1949, operates five divisions in the Southeast including Orlando, FL, Charlotte, NC, Raleigh, NC, Wilmington, NC, and Newport News, VA.

With 2006 revenue exceeding $500 million, Clancy & Theys is nationally ranked among Engineering News-Record magazine’s Top 100 Construction Managers-At-Risk, Engineering News-Record’s Top 400 Contractors and Building Design & Construction magazine’s 100 Largest Commercial Contractors.

The Florida division has been in operation since 1991, specializing in construction management, design/build, and general contracting for the commercial, municipal, distribution, education and resort markets.

The division is located at 7308 Greenbriar Parkway, Orlando, FL 32819, telephone 407-578-1449. The company’s website is http://www.clancytheys.com/.

CONTACT:

Kenneth H. Cristol,

President, Cristol Marketing Company

237 Hunt Club Blvd., Suite 102,

Longwood, FL 32779 USA

PH 407-774-2515

FX 407-774-6647

khc@crismktg.com

http://www.crismktg.com/

Strategic Marketing, Brand Management,

Publicity and Advertising, and Corporate Communications

Orlando-based Tri-City Electrical Contractors Inc. Underway on New Cumberland Park Apartments

ORLANDO, FL –Orlando-based Tri-City Electrical Contractors, Inc. is underway on $2.3 million of work at the new 456-unit Cumberland Park Apartments in Orlando, FL, under its contract with Epoch Properties, Winter Park, FL. The anticipated completion date is May 2009.

(Jack A. Olmstead, top right photo, is president of Tri-City Electrical Contractors.)

Florida’s leader in electrical contracting, communications and service, Tri-City reported 2007 revenues totaling $160 million. With over 1,200 employees statewide, the Orlando-based electrical contractor and service provider also operates divisional offices in Fort Myers, Ocala and Tampa, as well as satellite offices in Sarasota and Santa Rosa Beach.

CONTACT:

Kenneth H. Cristol,

President,

Cristol Marketing Company

237 Hunt Club Blvd., Suite 102,

Longwood, FL 32779 USA

PH 407-774-2515

FX 407-774-6647

khc@crismktg.com

http://www.crismktg.com/

Strategic Marketing, Brand Management,

Publicity and Advertising, and Corporate Communications

Marcus & Millichap Retail Specialist in Fort Lauderdale, FL Ranked Among Company's Top Agents Nationwide

ENCINO, CA – Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services, the nation’s largest real estate investment services firm, has announced its top investment specialists for 2007.

Lori Schneider (top right photo) in Marcus & Millichap’s Fort Lauderdale office ranked in the top 30 out of more than 1,300 investment specialists nationwide. She is the firm’s top Southeast agent and was also ranked as the sixth retail agent in Marcus & Millichap’s National Retail Group (NRG).

“We are proud to recognize Lori Schneider as one of the firm’s top-ranking investment specialists,” says Harvey E. Green, (photo at left) president and chief executive officer of Marcus & Millichap. “Lori’s accomplishments and track record reflect her superior transaction expertise and commitment to client service.

"As one of our firm’s leading retail investment specialists, Lori continues to arrange transactions with her impressive list of private and institutional clients, in the midst of this challenging market.”

Schneider, a first vice president investments with the firm and a senior director of Marcus & Millichap’s National Retail Group, has successfully facilitated retail transactions in 16 states and Puerto Rico. She is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and has served on its planning committee for the last four years.

A few of her 2007 significant transactions included: a $55.5 million retail property in Charlotte, N.C.; a $37.65 million single-tenant net-leased property in Albuquerque, N.M.; and an $18 million retail property in Dunwoody, Ga.

Press Contact:

Stacey Corso
Communications Department
(925) 953-1716