Construction

Saint Leo University In Pasco County Breaks Ground On Business School

Saint Leo University broke ground on a state-of-the-art facility that will house its School of Business. And it was all made possible by a former student who never set foot on the campus until he graduated.Phoenix entrepreneur Don Tapia donated $4 million to Saint Leo University for the purpose of building a 50,000-square-foot facility that will house nine new classrooms, 37 faculty offices and a broadcast recording studio. Tapia is a graduate of Saint Leo's online program. The building is a much needed asset to a growing campus and Tapia's gift was a welcome windfall."We were sort of bursting at the seams," explains Michael Nastanski, Dean of the School of Business. "With student growth on campus we're sort of at capacity. We ran out of office and classroom space."Nastanski is excited about the building's digital capabilities. "Picture an accounting class with ticker tapes flashed around the room. That's the kind of technology we're talking about."Saint Leo is a pioneer on the online course landscape. "We've been doing it for 15 years," says Nastanski. "Our programs contribute $246 million in revenue for the Tampa Bay area." In addition to its Pasco campus, the University has 17 satellite campuses that offer continuing education courses in seven states.Tapia researched several online programs before enrolling in Saint Leo's online business program. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration in 2005 and attended the commencement exercises then. It was the first time he'd ever set foot on campus. The 72-year-old graduate went on to earn his master's in 2007 and later served as the university's first online program alumni to sit on its board of trustees.The building is set to be completed in time for the 2011 school year.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Michael Nastanski, Saint Leo University

New Report Details Economic Growth in Pinellas County

Pinellas County Economic Development has released a new report on property conversions and new construction throughout the county. Here's a quick snapshot of projects that can be found on Yahoo's flickr and are presented in the report:Largo's Airco golf course and St. Petersburg's Toytown landfill are undergoing transformations in May. The former golf course will become a mixed-use aviation and business park. Toytown is to become a retail, office and residential space. SRI is moving into a 30,000-square-foot St. Petersburg facility and cigar maker Oettinger Davidoff is moving into the former Hunter Douglas facility in Pinellas Park. Palm Harbor's Geographic Solutions is moving downtown and Suncoast Hospice added a Community Service Center to its location on Tampa Road in Oldsmar. Tourists can chose between the Hotel Zamora on St. Pete beach, a Holiday Inn in Largo or the Hyattt Regency on Clearwater Beach. Medical businesses are expanding as well. St. Pete's All Children's Hospital, Largo Medical Center, and Gulfcoast Cancer Center have expanded their facilities recently, and Morton Plant Mease is adding a breast health facility. Bay Pines Veterans Administration is adding an eye treatment and surgery center, and new medical centers are now open at the Curlew Medical Center in Oldsmar along with the Trilogy Medical Center on McMullen Booth Road. "Pinellas County is very fortunate to have begun planning aggressively for redevelopment several years ago," says Cindy Margiotta, senior manager of operations at Pinellas County Economic Development. "Listening to the needs of our growing businesses, discussing land use best practices with our builders and working collaboratively with our citizens has allowed Pinellas to persevere with improvements." Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Stacey Swank, Pinellas County EDC

Green Building Council Names St. Petersburg College “Outstanding Business”

The U.S Green Building Council's Florida Gulf Coast Chapter recently named St. Petersburg College the "Outstanding Business of the Year." The college was recognized for its initiatives to make the campus a more sustainable environment. Some of those initiatives include two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certifications by the U.S Green Building Council, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainability Management degree program, a newly installed solar energy system and various other projects in the planning stages, including a natural habitat park that implements an Energy Star purchasing policy and native plant policy.Read the complete story.

Home-Tech Air Conditioning Adds Jobs, Plans Sarasota Expansion

Temple Terrace’s $105 Million Redevelopment To Begin This Summer

Construction of Temple Terrace's $105 million downtown redevelopment project is slated to begin on July 2, according to an article in the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The project will include renovations of Sweetbay Supermarket, various building spaces and the possible future development of a performing arts center and a new library.Read the complete story.

Coastal Caisson In Pasco County Seeks Construction Workers, Engineers

What you can see above ground in a major construction project, such as a shopping center, apartment building or a bridge, reveals only part of a builder's concerns. That's because differences in soil composition, water saturation and the potential for hazards like sinkholes and underground swamps can make the quest for a solid base to build upon an arduous one. Likewise, for Coastal Caisson, a Pasco County company situated north of Tampa that seeks skilled workers to serve the deep foundation construction market in the southeastern United States.The company employs a wide range of workers, including engineers and skilled technicians, to help provide foundation solutions for industrial, commercial, residential and government construction projects. "We're always looking for mechanics and laborers, but we're also looking to fill some skilled and professional positions like engineers and project managers," says Tiffany Wind, human resources manager. Qualified individuals include site safety officers, site superintendents and project estimators. The abilities to read schematics and to multitask are particularly valued, she says. The company normally employs about 150 people, depending on the workload. Wind says Coastal Caisson stays busy with projects in the Tampa Bay region and elsewhere, such as installing ductile-driven piles at the Bella Sol condominiums in Apollo Beach and helping widen Interstate 95 in Brunswick, GA. "We hire locally and travel with our workers so the jobs stay in Pasco County," says Wind. She also says Coastal Caisson likes to promote from within as a way to help the company grow and keep expertise. Writer: Brad StagerSource: Tiffany Wind, Coastal Caisson

Sarasota Construction Company Boosts Industry And Arts

Holland Construction has devised its own economic stimulus package, called an EF-10, which allows companies with strong credit to choose their own construction financing arrangements, defer fees or establish their own ownership or equity position for a project. "Although we detect a loosening of the equity markets, obtaining adequate financing remains a key obstacle in the initiation and completion of many construction projects," says CEO Joe Holland. "We believe the EF-10 program will offer an attractive and compelling solution to certain companies, and allow them to move forward with their plans. Our ability to successfully implement this plan will benefit end-users, the subcontractor industry and the overall business economy in our local markets." Craig Campbell, vice president of Holland's Florida office, says Holland Construction isn't acting as a financier on every project. "In some cases, yes, we are," he explains. "In other cases, we'll bring in a partner. In other cases, we'll use a bank. It really depends on the deal and what is going on at the time. I don't want to create the perception that we're a bank, because we're not. It's a case-by-case situation based on what's best for us and the person we're working with." Campbell says that three companies are currently negotiating with Holland for projects that would take advantage of the EH-10 offer. Two of the companies are in Southwest Florida. Holland Construction also is currently working on a renovation of the Robert and Beverly Koski Production Center for the Asolo Theater. The Center's campus, located at 1009 Tallevast Road in Manatee County, contains approximately 45,000 square feet of space used for production facilities, set building and costumes and prop collections. The project will provide 12 new jobs during construction, which will be completed in summer 2010. BMK Architects of Sarasota is designing the renovation. Holland also is building a law office on Manatee Boulevard.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Craig Campbell, Holland Construction

Tampa Luxury Homes Include Special Accommodations For All

A new housing development in Tampa offers a little more diversity than your typical suburb. And no, it's not about blending cultures or ethnicities. It's about inclusive, intergenerational living. Ravinia Luxury Courtyard Villas in Carrollwood is building a gated community of homes that cater to the needs of family members -- regardless of age or ambulatory ability. Floor plans offer wider doors, entryways and hallways; and provide curbless showers, single-lever faucet controls and reinforced walls to bear the extra weight of grab bars and handles. "These are designs that are receptive and accessible to everyone," says Ellen Zusman, a representative affiliated with the development. "Whether you are a young family living with strollers or one with older members who can't climb steps, our designs make life a little easier. We actually have intergenerational families buying more than one house so they can be in the same community. "When you buy a home," Zuffman continues, "you don't think about how an older family member will get up the steps to the front porch or how a stroller will fit through a doorway. We have young couples looking at our property and floor plans who are searching for their first home. Some day they may need accommodations that require they retrofit whatever home they're living in by then. If they buy here, this may be the only home they'll ever need." Ravinia has been under contract for three years. But financing suffered during the recession. "Our private financers were persistent," says Zuffman. "We just broke ground on the models. And our first home will be finished by August 1, 2010." Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Ellen Zusman, Ravinia Luxury Courtyard Villas

Lakeland Contemplates Where High-Speed Rail Should Stop

When community and business leaders discuss what the proposed high-speed rail system will mean for the communities along the Interstate 4 corridor, Polk County is eager to participate. The railway system will stop somewhere in Lakeland. The question is, where?According to Nazih Haddad, COO of Florida Rail, the location decision is based upon a number of factors. "Ridership is a factor," explains Haddad. "We want the biggest bang for the buck. We are doing some analysis on ridership as we speak. The Polk Transportation Planning Organization's  number one choice is USF Polytechnic, and their second choice is Kathleen Boulevard. But who we contract for the project will also affect our decision about where we place Lakeland's stop." "No matter where it goes, it's going to be a tremendous opportunity for Polk County," says Jennifer Stults, TPO director. "You sort of target your growth in a concentrated area of mixed-use space. In those mixed-use spaces you can have living areas, commercial and retail all in one compact location. A lot of variety would make that station a producer and an attractor. With mixed-use you can attract people from other places as well as have people leaving their homes to go to work." Wherever the stop ultimately goes, Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields is ecstatic about the possibilities the high-speed rail system will have on his community. "The impact to Lakeland across the economic, commercial, cultural and transportation fronts will be enormous. We have only uncovered the tip of the iceberg in our comprehension and understanding about what this can do for our community and the entire region." Writer: Missy KavanaughSources: Nazih Haddad, Florida Rail Office; Jennifer Stults, Polk Transportation Planning Organization; Gow Fields, City of Lakeland