Weaver Park Opens On Waterfront In Dunedin
Outdoorsy folks will have a new waterfront park to explore when the city of Dunedin opens Weaver Park. Sections of the park are already accessible, but an official ribbon-cutting event […]
Environment
Latest in Environment
Re-Creation Of Historic Tower Planned For Temple Terrace Riverfront Park
A re-creation of a historic icon could be the centerpiece of the new Temple Terrace Riverfront Park.The Bat Tower, a 40-foot structure based on plans by Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr. Charles Campbell, stood on the banks of the Hillsborough River for 55 years until it was destroyed by arsonists in 1979. The tower would accompany the bat tower-viewing pavilion designed by USF School of Architecture and Community Design students in 2008.Construction of the re-creation is estimated at $65,000.Read the complete story.
The Nation Embarks On Gulf Coast Research With Weatherbird II
Although the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has been relatively sedate in traditional media outlets, marine biologists continue to find evidence of the spill's catastrophic impact.Journalist Naomi Klein of The Nation recently stepped on-board the University of South Florida's Weatherbird II for an intimate look at the team's ongoing research.An accompanying video of Klein's report features an interview with Dr. David Holland, marine geochemist at the University of South Florida.Read the complete story.
Decorative Garage Opens In Downtown Sarasota
Creative design has set sail in Sarasota.The Palm Avenue Garage and Retail Shops rang in 2011 with a New Year's opening, and now sits at the corner of Palm Ave. and Main St. in downtown Sarasota. Its design is not typical of a building that shelters cars and merchandise. The six-story structure's signature detail is a curvaceous, free-form sculptural style that looks like sails billowing out from the side of the building. The design, intended to reflect the area's artistic and modern environment, was created by Architect Jonathan Parks and fabricated by Mullets Aluminum. Jonathan Parks says the "sails" are designed to let natural light and ventilation into all parking levels while screening the vehicles from public view. "This is important to creating a welcoming and safe environment for users of the garage while providing a structure that does not look like a parking garage," he says.Carlson Studio Architecture is overseeing the LEED gold-level certification. According to Parks, environmentally responsible components include an underground retention vault and cistern to store and treat storm water runoff, a portion of which will be reused for the irrigation system. Interior materials provide protection against toxic chemicals, LED lighting and an energy management system reduce energy consumption, and plug-ins will be provided for electrically powered vehicles.The garage, constructed by Suffolk Construction, accommodates approximately 743 parking spaces, 20 motorcycle spaces and 80 bicycle spaces, and includes 12,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space on the ground level. The top parking deck provides a view of Sarasota Bay and downtown Sarasota. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Jonathan Parks, Architect
Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty To Add Jobs
Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty, which recently won an award for sales achievement, plans to hire in 2011. Prudential Lakewood Ranch, was ranked as the top realty group by Trendgraphix, one of the nation's leading providers of MLS-based real estate reports. The group was recognized as the top performer in several categories, including total sales, percentage of listing, percentage of buyers, listing sales and buyer sales. Helen Sosso, president and CEO of Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty, explains that her employees and the use of modern technology attributed to the success of obtaining such a high award. She goes on to say that her company uses innovative sales strategies through the use of technology to drive business as well. "Prudential offers online systems that provide data, feedback and statistics to buyers and sellers who can then make informed decisions," Sosso says. Sosso shares that with the opening of a new storefront, and the success the group has had, she plans to hire soon. "We are planning to hire and train real estate sales associates who will be focused on doing business via web products," Sosso says. "In addition, we will be looking for personnel who will assist in office management and expand our business in the new construction arena."Once hired, Sosso says real estate agents can expect on-going support and training. "We invest and believe in our agents," Sosso says. "We spent the last year extensively training our associates on the use of Internet tools to service and market listings, attract and keep in touch with buyers, and to promote the agent and the agent's business. Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty opened its new storefront this month on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. Writer: Kimberly PattersonSource: Helen Sosso, Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty
Pinellas Tables Light Rail Discussion
In November 2010, voters in Hillsborough County elected not to support a referendum allowing a one-cent sales tax that would fund the building of a light rail system. Pinellas County listened and watched, as they themselves planned a similar referendum for 2011. In the wake of the Hillsborough vote, Pinellas has decided to wait until 2012 or 2013 to place a similar referendum on the ballot.Pinellas Commissioner Karen Seel serves as the chairman of a Pinellas' transportation task force and says much of the decision to table the Pinellas referendum was partially a result of what happened in Hillsborough."I think part of it was prompted by the Hillsborough vote," says Seel. "There was a definite feeling that this is not a good time economically to go forward with a sales tax. Analysis and polls done on our side of the bay show that while Pinellas residents are interested in light rail, they feel that now is just not a good time."Seel says a proposed light rail plan would connect Pinellas and Hillsborough counties along the Howard Frankland bridge, as well as a line that would run from downtown Clearwater, through the Gateway/Carillon area and continue south to downtown St. Petersburg.Seel says she hopes that voters will ultimately vote for light rail for the sake of the region. "There's a real recognition among our young people that light rail is needed," she says."How do you attract bright minds when they can go to Charlotte and other metropolitan areas that have light rail and vibrant places to live, work and play. Right now we're just not competitive with other markets.The young and the restless of Florida need light rail."Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Karen Seel, Pinellas County Commission
Re-Creation Of Historic Tower Planned For Temple Terrace Riverfront Park
A re-creation of a historic icon could be the centerpiece of the new Temple Terrace Riverfront Park.The Bat Tower, a 40-foot structure based on plans by Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr. Charles Campbell, stood on the banks of the Hillsborough River for 55 years until it was destroyed by arsonists in 1979. The tower would accompany the bat tower-viewing pavilion designed by USF School of Architecture and Community Design students in 2008.Construction of the re-creation is estimated at $65,000.Read the complete story.
The Nation Embarks On Gulf Coast Research With Weatherbird II
Although the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has been relatively sedate in traditional media outlets, marine biologists continue to find evidence of the spill's catastrophic impact.Journalist Naomi Klein of The Nation recently stepped on-board the University of South Florida's Weatherbird II for an intimate look at the team's ongoing research.An accompanying video of Klein's report features an interview with Dr. David Holland, marine geochemist at the University of South Florida.Read the complete story.
Decorative Garage Opens In Downtown Sarasota
Creative design has set sail in Sarasota.The Palm Avenue Garage and Retail Shops rang in 2011 with a New Year's opening, and now sits at the corner of Palm Ave. and Main St. in downtown Sarasota. Its design is not typical of a building that shelters cars and merchandise. The six-story structure's signature detail is a curvaceous, free-form sculptural style that looks like sails billowing out from the side of the building. The design, intended to reflect the area's artistic and modern environment, was created by Architect Jonathan Parks and fabricated by Mullets Aluminum. Jonathan Parks says the "sails" are designed to let natural light and ventilation into all parking levels while screening the vehicles from public view. "This is important to creating a welcoming and safe environment for users of the garage while providing a structure that does not look like a parking garage," he says.Carlson Studio Architecture is overseeing the LEED gold-level certification. According to Parks, environmentally responsible components include an underground retention vault and cistern to store and treat storm water runoff, a portion of which will be reused for the irrigation system. Interior materials provide protection against toxic chemicals, LED lighting and an energy management system reduce energy consumption, and plug-ins will be provided for electrically powered vehicles.The garage, constructed by Suffolk Construction, accommodates approximately 743 parking spaces, 20 motorcycle spaces and 80 bicycle spaces, and includes 12,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space on the ground level. The top parking deck provides a view of Sarasota Bay and downtown Sarasota. Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Jonathan Parks, Architect
Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty To Add Jobs
Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty, which recently won an award for sales achievement, plans to hire in 2011. Prudential Lakewood Ranch, was ranked as the top realty group by Trendgraphix, one of the nation's leading providers of MLS-based real estate reports. The group was recognized as the top performer in several categories, including total sales, percentage of listing, percentage of buyers, listing sales and buyer sales. Helen Sosso, president and CEO of Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty, explains that her employees and the use of modern technology attributed to the success of obtaining such a high award. She goes on to say that her company uses innovative sales strategies through the use of technology to drive business as well. "Prudential offers online systems that provide data, feedback and statistics to buyers and sellers who can then make informed decisions," Sosso says. Sosso shares that with the opening of a new storefront, and the success the group has had, she plans to hire soon. "We are planning to hire and train real estate sales associates who will be focused on doing business via web products," Sosso says. "In addition, we will be looking for personnel who will assist in office management and expand our business in the new construction arena."Once hired, Sosso says real estate agents can expect on-going support and training. "We invest and believe in our agents," Sosso says. "We spent the last year extensively training our associates on the use of Internet tools to service and market listings, attract and keep in touch with buyers, and to promote the agent and the agent's business. Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty opened its new storefront this month on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. Writer: Kimberly PattersonSource: Helen Sosso, Prudential Lakewood Ranch Realty
Pinellas Tables Light Rail Discussion
In November 2010, voters in Hillsborough County elected not to support a referendum allowing a one-cent sales tax that would fund the building of a light rail system. Pinellas County listened and watched, as they themselves planned a similar referendum for 2011. In the wake of the Hillsborough vote, Pinellas has decided to wait until 2012 or 2013 to place a similar referendum on the ballot.Pinellas Commissioner Karen Seel serves as the chairman of a Pinellas' transportation task force and says much of the decision to table the Pinellas referendum was partially a result of what happened in Hillsborough."I think part of it was prompted by the Hillsborough vote," says Seel. "There was a definite feeling that this is not a good time economically to go forward with a sales tax. Analysis and polls done on our side of the bay show that while Pinellas residents are interested in light rail, they feel that now is just not a good time."Seel says a proposed light rail plan would connect Pinellas and Hillsborough counties along the Howard Frankland bridge, as well as a line that would run from downtown Clearwater, through the Gateway/Carillon area and continue south to downtown St. Petersburg.Seel says she hopes that voters will ultimately vote for light rail for the sake of the region. "There's a real recognition among our young people that light rail is needed," she says."How do you attract bright minds when they can go to Charlotte and other metropolitan areas that have light rail and vibrant places to live, work and play. Right now we're just not competitive with other markets.The young and the restless of Florida need light rail."Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Karen Seel, Pinellas County Commission
