Construction

Haines City Hospital Continues To Expand, Add Medical Services

Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center in Haines City is growing at an accelerated pace to keep up with community needs, says CEO Jay Finnegan. "We have experienced double-digit percentage growth in ER visits this past year, particularly in the area of cardiac catheterization," Finnegan explains. To meet this demand, the hospital's cardiac catheterization lab is undergoing a $2 million construction that will be completed in July 2010. In addition, the hospital renovated ER space not directly used for patient care into areas that would allow for more treatment. An urgent care facility on Cypress Gardens Boulevard opened in August 2009 to accommodate non life-threatening emergencies. "We added 40 beds to our fourth-floor surgical unit and 2009 was the first full year of use," says Finnegan. "But despite that addition, we're still at full capacity." Finnegan says Heart of Florida plans to build out a fifth floor to add an additional 40 beds, and plans are underway to begin construction on another five-story tower to accommodate more patients. In addition, the hospital recently acquired digital mammography equipment for its imaging center, thereby enhancing its diagnostic services. Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center has grown from a small community hospital to being the primary health care source for Haines City, Winter Haven and surrounding communities. The urgent care facility is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Writer: Missy Kavanaugh Source: Jay Finnegan, Heart of Florida Regional Hospital

Lakeland Gears Up To Build Special Park For Toddlers, Families

Construction will begin in April on a Lakeland playground to be devoted solely to young families with toddlers ages 3 to 5. The Sunflower Preschool Playground is to be completed in time for its grand opening on Dec. 4, 2010. "We are very eager to start this play opportunity," says Bill Tinsley, director of Lakeland Parks and Recreation. "We have already started some preliminary design of the park and we know it is going to feature unique playground equipment that is currently not available in our community. Young families are going to be thrilled when this park is completed." The Sunflower Preschool Playground is to be built in the Mirror Lake district at Barnett Family Park, named for Carol and Barney Barnett of Lakeland. Mrs. Barnett is the daughter of George Jenkins, founder of Publix Supermarkets. It is hoped that the toddler playground will augment the success of the Common Ground Playground, another Lakeland city park. "Common Ground is just so successful and crowded, you can barely find a place to park," explains Weezie Vreeland, who is spearheading fundraising for the project." And once the older children come, it's hard for toddlers to keep up. We just thought it would be nice to give the little ones their own space." According to Vreeland, the planned equipment is designed specifically for toddlers to provide a sense of comfort and spatial stability, especially for children with disabilities such as autism. In addition, the plans provide for plenty of shade and room for strollers, as well as an 18-foot square sandbox and other amenities to suit young families. The project funds grew from a memorial fund for Vreeland's grandson, John Kyle, who died in 2008. Additional funds have been raised by the Lakeland Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, as well as private donors.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Weezie Vreeland, Sunflower Preschool Playground

Florida’s High Speed Rail Proposal Draws Questions, Criticisms

The $1.25 billion high-speed rail project from Tampa to Orlando was recently examined by The New York Times. The article is critical of the stimulus-funded project's key components and also discusses alternative routes that would benefit from a high-speed rail.Read the complete story.

Interior Design Firm In Tampa Seeks Additional Subcontractors

Studio LTR, a Tampa-based interior design firm specializing in residential projects involving new construction and renovations, plans to hire  additional subcontractors in 2010. Linda Cox, one of the company partners, says the business is in a growth pattern and is adding more projects and participating in commercial and high-end residential work. Cox says her business employs a wide variety of talented subcontractors, ranging from licensed building contractors who pull permits and work on multistory buildings projects to architects, who sign and seal drawings. Various craftsmen specializing in textile work are also employed as subs. Cox describes her firm's role as "the conduit'' between a client who has a vision for what he or she wants and the architect and construction experts who can make it happen. The firm is akin to "a ringmaster in a circus,'' she says. Every project is different, and none is typical, she says, pointing out that projects can range from remodeling an exercise room in a large multistory condo to doing a bathroom remodel for a 1960s ranch style home. Through the end of March, Studio LTR is a participating design firm in the Florida Orchestra Designer Showcase at Ovation in downtown St. Petersburg. Two fully decorated condos by Studio LTR are on display at the Showcase at 180 Beach Drive NE. Proceeds benefit The Florida Orchestra. Writer: Lisa Clementi Source: Linda Cox, Studio LTR

New College In Sarasota Creates An Archaeology Lab For Community

New College of Florida in Sarasota is building a public archaeology lab that will be completed in the summer of 2010. New College of Florida's Public Archaeology Lab is expected to host elementary and secondary students, archaeological clubs and others from surrounding communities. In an effort to further promote the diversity of Florida's cultural heritage, the archaeology lab will encourage participation from people in the community."There is much more we can do to conserve the past for the future in this region, and this facility will facilitate community-based programs," says Uzi Baram, associate professor of anthropology at NCF.The groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility was held on March 8 and featured speakers Mike Michalson, president of New College; State Representative Keith Fitzgerald; and Baram. The ceremony also included a time capsule burial by university students.Willis A Smith Construction of Sarasota is the general contractor on the project. The building design is by Long & Associates Architects/Engineers of Tampa. Once completed, the $500,000 public archaeology lab will be housed in a 1,600-square-foot building. In addition to the lab, the building will include a classroom for teaching and public events, a storage facility for artifacts and research, a conference room and an outdoor seating area that can be used as a classroom or open-air plaza for community events. Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Uzi Baram, New College of Florida

Port Manatee Contracts With Natural Gas Company, $150 Million Impact

The Manatee County Port Authority has entered into a long-term agreement with Port Dolphin Energy, which will provide Florida with another source of natural gas to meet the growing demand for alternative energy sources. The project is expected to be completed by 2013, and will pump more than $150 million into the local economy during the next 20 years. "With the addition of Port Dolphin to our growing family of energy-related companies, Port Manatee exhibits its leadership as an incubator for local jobs and regional economic growth," says Larry Bustle, chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority. "This agreement reinforces the port's financial strength with a new, recurring revenue stream." According to figures released by Port Dolphin Energy, the project's estimated $150 million stimulus will come in the form of jobs, tax revenue and supplies and services. The project makes it possible for liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers to connect with Port Dolphin's offshore facility 28 miles off the coast of Manatee County, which in turn connects to an undersea pipeline system that comes onshore at Port Manatee. The supply coming in to the port complements the state supply provided by Florida Gas Transmission Co. and Gulfstream Natural Gas System pipelines. Studies indicate that natural gas is cleaner, safer, more easily accessible and easier to store than oil. The Dolphin Energy project meets the objectives outlined in the Florida Public Service Commission's Ten-Year Plan that call for a more balanced fuel supply.Writer: Missy KavanaughSource: Larry Bustle, Manatee County Port Authority

Ybor City Building Projects Turn Tampa Bay Green

Lots of people in Florida and elsewhere talk "green'' in concept, while others talk it, walk it and chalk it up to experience by developing real-life projects to save energy, extend resources and create cool living and working spaces that promise to make the world a bit better one building at a time. 83 Degrees takes a look at three such "green'' projects in Ybor City, an historic neighborhood in Tampa that is helping lead the region into a sustainable future.  

Encore In Downtown Tampa Hosts Job Fair, Seeks Construction Workers

Sarasota, Manatee Builders Stage Economic Stimulus Reverse Trade Show

The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange will host the Economic Stimulus Reverse Trade Show and Construction Industry Job Fair on Wednesday, March 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Polo Grill and Bar in Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota County.Recognizing that the construction industry has been an economic driver in the region, and one that has been hit the hardest since the economic downtown, the Builders Exchange decided to host this event to offer local subcontractors an opportunity to win the bids of larger general contractors. Their motto is: "Members Working With Members" and the event provides an opportunity for local businesses to collaborate with one another, says Bill Jarvis, board chairman. "We created a Reverse Trade Show, similar to a job fair in an effort to create local economic stimulus," Jarvis says. "This event will give all local subcontractors, suppliers and vendors the opportunity to spend an evening with the key decision makers and learn what work is available.Formed in 1952, the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange is a not-for-profit trade organization comprised of about 20 Sarasota contractors. Its purpose is to serve the business needs of local building contractors in Sarasota and Manatee counties.Representatives from the region's largest general contracting companies will be at the tradeshow, providing tips on acquiring bids and winning projects. Participating companies include: Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty, Suffolk Construction, W.G. Mills, Kraft Construction, Skyline Builders Group of Bradenton plus many more. Also on hand will be public school facilities directors and building officials from Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. For more information, e-mail Julie Ivings at jivings@gcbx.com or call her at 941-907-7745. Writer: Nancy VaughnSource: Bill Jarvis, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange