Flex-fuel vehicles drop money to D & A’s bottom line in Longwood, FL

LONGWOOD, FL— Just two months after the September 2008 economic collapse, D & A Building Services Inc., a facility maintenance company headquartered in Central Florida, needed to replace five vehicles from its fleet for its area managers.

 The SUVs in use at the time got a mere 19 miles per gallon. Considering the economic uncertainty, the Company began a search for a more fuel-efficient way for each manager to travel the 23,000 miles per year required by their job. D & A chose the Chevy HHR Panel, (centered photo below)  a flex-fuel vehicle that gets 32 miles per gallon on regular gasoline.

The Company is pleased to report that in the past 18 months the HHRs performed well lowering gasoline consumption by 375 gallons each month and dropping $18,000 to D & A’s bottom line.

“These vehicles have done what we asked for in fuel efficiency and have performed well for our sales team,” said Al Sarabasa, Jr., president, D & A Building Services Inc. “We will definitely be looking at other fuel efficient vehicles when it comes time to replace the other vehicles in our fleet.”

D & A Building Services Inc. is a privately owned facility maintenance provider founded in 1985. Headquartered in Longwood, Fla., full service offices are located in Jacksonville, Fla., Tampa, Fla., Kansas City, Mo., Madison, Wis., Dallas, Texas, and Detroit, Mich. Services are provided by a staff of 650 to property managers, building owners, and local and state governments, Federal agents and the military.

 The veteran-owned company is an Hispanic-Owned Business Enterprise, and a graduate of the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program. For additional information, please visit www.dabuildingservices.com.

PR Contact: Elaine Ingra, (407) 384-1344, elainei@pr-works.com

Winston-James Development Negotiates New Leases in Oviedo and Winter Garden, FL

SOUTH DAYTONA, FL- Winston James Development, Inc. recently negotiated new lease agreements that total 2,000 square feet of industrial space at Aloma Commerce Center in Oviedo and the West Orange Business Center  (centered photo below)in Winter Garden.

Winston Schwartz, (bottom right photo) president of Winston-James Development, Inc., said Little Anthony’s restaurant franchise leased 1,000 square feet of space at Aloma Business Center, located off Aloma Ave. at 2785 Wrights Rd. in Oviedo. Ty Brackney of Dunhill Management Corp. negotiated the lease agreement representing the tenant, Schwartz said.

Regulatory Compliance Association, Inc. leased 1,000 square feet of space at West Orange Business Center, located at 1249 Winter Garden-Vineland Rd. in Winter Garden. The tenant, an online training company for financial auditing firms, was represented in the transaction by Ty Brackney of Dunhill Management Corp.

For more information, please contact:
Winston Schwartz, President, Winston-James Development, Inc. Beville Rd., South Daytona, Fla. 32119; 386-760-2555;
James Adley, Principal, Winston-James Development, Inc. 386-760-2555
Larry Vershel, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142 lvershelco@aol.com

Stirling Sotheby’s forms Strategic Partnership with Canin Associates in Orlando

ORLANDO - Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has formed a strategic partnership with Canin Associates urban planning, landscape architecture and architectural design studios in Orlando.

Roger Soderstrom, (bottom left photo)  founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the internationally recognized, full service, multi-disciplined design and architectural firm is a perfect match for Stirling Sotheby’s.

 “Canin Associates will provide conceptual and product design services to Stirling Sotheby's agents and clients, including home owners, home buyers, builders, developers, and lenders,” Soderstrom said.

“With the emphasis today on bank-owned and short sale properties, many luxury home buyers can dramatically improve the value of their new purchase through creative design,” Soderstrom explained.

Canin Associates principal Tony Weremeichik (top right photo) is working closely with Stirling Sotheby's associates and their clients to help solve home design challenges, Soderstrom said.

For more information, contact:
Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890
Tony Weremeichik, Principal Canin and Associates, 407-422-4040 x209 tweremeichik@canin.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Crossman & Co. and Orlando DDB Make Presentation to Wharton

ORLANDO, FL - John Crossman, (top right photo)  president of Crossman & Company in Orlando and Davon Barbour, (bottom left photo)  assistant director of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency, recently made a presentation at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania on how to incorporate retail participants in successful downtown redevelopment strategies.

The presentation was part of the University of Shopping Centers, a three-day professional continuing education event held by the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Crossman, whose company ranks as one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast, said Orlando makes an exceptional model for successful downtown redevelopment.

“Orlando boasts all the most important elements of a successful redevelopment strategy,” Crossman said.

“You need leaders who have a vision of the future, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty ably fulfill that role. Leaders need to work cooperatively, they need to do their research and they need to focus on residential development that will attract retail developers,” Crossman said.

For more information,  please contact:

John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com;
Molly Delahunty, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6220 mdelahunty@crossmanco.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

NAI Realvest Negotiates Long Term Lease with Florida Fish & Wildlife for 4,642 SF at Semoran CommerCenter

ORLANDO – NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new five-year lease agreement for 4,642 square feet of flex space at 6830 Shadowridge Drive in the Semoran CommerCenter in southeast Orlando.

Robert Blackwell (top right photo) SIOR, principal at the firm, brokered the transaction representing the landlord, Semoran Commerce Center LLC based in Timonium, Md. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission of Orlando is the new tenant.

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.

For more information contact:
Robert Blackwell, SIOR, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989; or rblackwell@realvest.com;
Patrick Mahoney, President, NAI Realvest 407-875-9989 pmahoney@realvest.com
Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Appointed Exclusive Sales Agents For $1.35M Winter Park Estate

ORLANDO, FlL-- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been appointed exclusive sales and marketing agents for a $1.35 million Winter Park estate located near Park Ave. at 961 Bonita Drive in Winter Park.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said the estate includes a five-bedroom home with six full baths and four half baths, formal living and dining rooms, family room, game room, study and home theater in 6,880 square feet of living space plus a separate two-bedroom, one-bath guest house with an additional 500 square feet.

The main residence, built on a serene brick street close to Park Avenue, features wood floors throughout, private elevator, a two-car garage plus two-car side porte cache, and a lavish pool and spa redone in 2005.

Stirling agents representing the property are Sally Andy and David Warren.

For more information contact:
Sally Andy, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-687-7295 sally@sallyandy.com;
David Warren, Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-928-3760 david@sallyandy.com;
Roger Soderstrom, Founder/Owner Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty 407-581-7890
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142

Emerson International Leases 11,456 SF to World Travel Center in Altamonte Springs, FL

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL - Emerson International recently negotiated new lease agreements that total more than 16,000 square feet of office space in three office facilities.

Eric Emerson,(top right photo)  president of Emerson International in Orlando, said World Travel Holdings leased 11,456 square feet of office space at 307 Altamonte Lakes Drive in Altamonte Lakeside Park in Altamonte Springs.

 Sean Westcott, director of leasing at Emerson International, negotiated the lease agreement representing the landlord. John Gay (bottom left) of CRESA represented World Travel Holdings.

GeoMed, LLC, leased 2,896 square feet of space at Emerson International’s CenterPointe II office building, located at 220 Central Parkway in Altamonte Springs.

Kenneth Koch, commercial portfolio manager at Emerson International, represented the landlord in the lease agreement. Aaron Gray of Grubb & Ellis

Commercial Florida represented GeoMed.

Resell CNC, LLC, leased 1,861 square feet of space at 2600 Maitland Center Parkway in Maitland Center. John Gilbert of CBRE represented the landlord.

For more information, contact:
Eric J. Emerson, Vice President and General Manager Emerson International, Inc. 407-834-9560; ejemerson@emerson-us.com;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Awarded Contracts to Design Remodels Of Three Sweetbay Supermarkets in Tampa and Fort Myers, FL

ORLANDO – Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, which ranks as one of the nations most experienced designers of retail space, was recently awarded contracts to design remodeling efforts at Sweetbay Supermarket facilities in Tampa, Pinellas Park and Fort Myers.

Lonnie Peterson, (top right photo)  chairman of Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the 59,000 square foot Sweetbay Supermarket in Pinellas Park is one of the supermarket chains largest stores.

The two additional design projects are the Sweetbay Supermarkets on Gandy Blvd. in Tampa and on Bayshore Blvd. in Fort Myers, each comprise 27,000 square feet of space.

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

Arbor Closes 3 Fannie Mae Loans Totaling $27.55M

1922 McGraw Avenue Cooperative in Bronx, NY Gets $1.85M

UNIONDALE, NY- - Arbor Commercial Funding, LLC (“Arbor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC, announced the recent funding of a $1,850,000 loan under the Fannie Mae DUS® Cooperative product line for the 53-unit complex known as 1922 McGraw Avenue Cooperative in Bronx, NY.

The 10-year loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule and carries a note rate of 6.05 percent.

The loan was originated by Edward Petti, (top right photo)  Director, in Arbor’s full-service New York, NY lending office. “We were pleased to successfully deliver a 10-year interest-only loan in accordance with the borrower’s wishes.”

Seminole Apartments in Baltimore, MD Receives $3.9M

UNIONDALE, NY-- Arbor Commercial Funding, LLC (“Arbor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC, announced the recent funding of a $3,900,000 loan under the Fannie Mae DUS® Multifamily Affordable Housing (MAH) product line for the 84-unit complex known as Seminole Apartments in Baltimore, MD.

The 10-year loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule and carries a note rate of 6.21 percent.

The loan was originated by Stephen York, (bottom left photo) Director, in Arbor’s full-service New York, NY lending office.

“The Sponsors purchased this property in distress and after rehabbing the majority of units were able to bring the occupancy up to 100% within a six-month period,” said York. “By the time Arbor closed the loan, the property had been 100% occupied for 12 consecutive months, which is a testament to the Sponsor’s management capabilities.

" This was our third transaction with the Sponsors, which demonstrates the importance Arbor places on financing repeat clients. Our clients were very pleased with the final loan terms and we look forward to growing our financial partnership with them.”

Hilltop Portfolio IN New York City Obtains $21,810,800

UNIONDALE, NY - Arbor Commercial Funding, LLC (“Arbor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC, announced the recent funding of a $21,810,800 loan under the Fannie Mae DUS® Loan product line for the 317-unit complex spread over eight buildings and 23,710 square feet in New York, NY and is known as Hilltop Portfolio.

The 6.5-year loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule and carries a note rate of 5.41 percent.

The loan was originated by Edward Petti, Director, in Arbor’s full-service New York, NY lending office. “The borrower had 90 days to pay off the loans on these properties and the borrowing entity structure was very complicated,” said Petti. “There were many moving parts and a great cooperative effort between Arbor and Fannie Mae, with us ultimately closing on the 90th day.”

 
Contact:  Ingrid Principe, iprincipe@arbor.com