Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Register now for the Winter Institute!

ULI Southwest Florida
Presents:

The 13th Annual Winter Institute on The Gulf
Trends and Directions in Real Estate Development
"How to stay ahead of the curve in a changing economy"
Navigating the uncertain national and local economy is the primary theme for this event. A diverse lineup of experts will provide insight into national and local issues and trends impacting our area.

January 20, 2010
8 am-Noon
(Registration and Breakfast begin at 7:30 am)
Spanish Wells Country Club
9801 Treasure Cay Lane Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Featuring:
Gregory Miller, Senior Economist, SunTrust Banks
Bob Koch, AIA of Fugelberg Koch Architects
Anthony Downs, ULI Author,scholar in public policy and public administration
Patrick Slevin, The Slevin Group
2010 Pathfinder Award Presentation

Registration Fees
Members: $35
Non-Members: $50
Government: $20
Full-Time Students: $20
Sponsors: 2 free registrations-please email hafrancis1@aol.com with your registrants

**A special registration rate for this event is available if you are currently unemployed-please call 239-465-0266 for details**

This program will offer AIA and AICP credits
Sponsored by:
The Barron Collier Companies
Roetzel & Andress
CH2MHill
Cheffy Passidomo
Keystone Development Advisors, LLC

Call (800) 321-5011 to reserve your seat and mention event code 8118-1008.
Questions? Call (239) 465-0266

Monday, November 16, 2009

Sustainability Program Powerpoints

The speaker presentations from the October 23, 2009 Sustainability Program Can be found here:

http://bigfiles.barroncollier.com/send/64dbfc27b8b54f43857c003619f46f62.dat

Friday, October 9, 2009

Sustainability Survey Results

The 2009 Sustainability Survey was made available through an email campaign to ULI members and related industry organizations. A total of 118 surveys were completed.

The majority of respondents identified themselves as consultants for horizontal development (44%). Other respondents included: local government (20%); consultants for vertical development (19%); and builders (17%).

Based on the responses from the survey the following conclusions were identified for our market area:
Ø A “sustainable” project is typically viewed as “a project that includes environmentally friendly building materials” and “energy efficiency” as the primary indicator of sustainability.

Ø More than half of respondents have implemented some kind of energy-saving or sustainable technology in a development in the past. Because the majority of the participants were not builders, the most common techniques were associated with the horizontal component of a development and included the maximization of green space and/or increased development density; pedestrian and multi-modal connectivity; and protection/restoration of natural areas/habitats.

Ø The reason to include green or sustainable technologies in a project was ranked in the following order:
1. Up-front cost savings;
2. Decreased operating costs;
3. Marketing benefits;
4. Availability of appropriate products; and
5. Stewardship and social responsibility.

Ø Approximately 37% of respondents already include the costs and benefits of green or sustainable development into their pro forma when determining their project’s development program.

Ø The number one incentive that local governments could provide that would encourage the use of a green building code was a reduction in impact fees. Increased density or floor area ratio bonuses and tax incentives also received high ranking. The least important incentives to respondents were preference in the RFQ/RFP process and occupant incentives for operating businesses in green buildings.

Ø The respondents were interested in continued information on the up-front costs and the return on investment associated with green or sustainable practices.

Ø The two certification programs that respondents were most interested in learning more about were USGBC LEED and Florida Green Building Coalition.

Statistical Summary

The 2009 Sustainability Survey was made available through an email campaign to ULI members and related industry organizations on May 7, 2009 and ended on July 31, 2009. The survey had 118 respondents. The outcomes are summarized below.

When people talk about a “sustainable” project, what do you think they mean?

In order of popularity, respondents identified the following as indicators of sustainability:

1. Environmentally friendly building materials
2. Energy efficiency
3. Lasting for generations
4. Socially equitable
5. Other

Have you or your company implemented any of the following energy-saving or sustainable technologies in a development?

More than half of respondents have implemented some kind of energy-saving or sustainable technology in a development in the past. Even more important, the number of respondents who have implemented these technologies in a development represented a very large percentage of those who identified themselves as being involved in the horizontal development process in question 4. In other words, the vast majority of people who have had an opportunity to participate in the horizontal development process have implemented energy-saving or sustainable technologies.

The most implemented techniques were: - Maximization of green space and/or increased development density - Pedestrian and/or multi-modal connectivity - Protection/restoration of natural areas/habitats
These three techniques are also required at some level by many of the land development codes in Southwest Florida. The fourth highest ranking, vertical mixed-use development or diversity of housing types, is becoming a common practice in today’s developments.

Several lesser implemented techniques had very similar numbers of respondents, and further examination revealed that the techniques were all part of the LEED certification process.

Have you or your company implemented any of the following energy-saving or sustainable technologies in a building?

The number of respondents who had implemented energy-saving or sustainable technologies in a building were far fewer, but the number of respondents directly involved in the building process is also lower (see question 4). Again, techniques required or suggested by LEED all had very similar outcomes.

What is your role in the development process?
As mentioned above, the majority of respondents were consultants for horizontal development (44%).

In order of percentage 44% - Consultants for horizontal development 20% - Local government 19% - Consultants for vertical development 17% - Builders

Overall this response demonstrates a tendency for the respondents to act as advisors, rather than as decision makers. It seems that arming advisors with as much information as possible will still impact the decision makers, albeit in a more roundabout way.

Local government, which represented 20% of respondents, are likely to make up a large percent of “other” responses in this survey. It should also be noted that 14% of respondents (16 people) didn’t feel that they fit into any of the categories offered.

What would it take for you to include green or sustainable technologies in a project?
Respondents ranked the options in the following order of importance:
1) Up-front cost savings;
2) Decreased operating costs;
3) Marketing benefits;
4) Availability of appropriate products; and
5) Stewardship and social responsibility.

Do you include the costs and benefits of green or sustainable development into your pro forma when determining your project’s development program?

37% of respondents already include the costs and benefits of green or sustainable development into their pro forma when determining their project’s development program. The percent of respondents who do not include costs and benefits of green was exactly the same: 37%. The “other” option was used by 25% of respondents; suggesting that the question either did not apply (local government respondents, for example) or they use some other method to determine whether they will include sustainability (social responsibility, for example).

What incentives could local governments provide that would make you want to use a green building code?
Reduction in impact fees was selected as the most popular incentive. Increased density or increased floor area ratio bonuses and tax incentives were also identified. The least important incentives were preference in the RFQ/RFP process and occupant incentives for operating businesses in green buildings.
What do you want to know about the economics of green or sustainable projects?

The top answers to this question were: - Up-front costs associated with green or sustainable practices (86%) - Savings and operating costs (return on investment) (85%) - Opportunities for grants and other programs to assist with costs. (82%)

Availability/cost of products (64%) and marketing benefits in dollar form (57%), received a much lower ranking suggesting that some respondents are either already familiar with those concepts or that they perceive the other information as a priority.

Which certification programs are you most interested in?

This question asked that respondents choose 3 or less programs, and as a result there was a clear mandate for LEED and Florida Green Building Coalition. The NAHB National Green Building Program and Energy Star Homes received a similar amount of interest, but both were well below the top two choices.

What kinds of sustainability topics would you like to see in a ULI program?
Ninety respondents provided responses that were appropriate for inclusion in this summary. Many of the responses addressed multiple subjects or questions. Sustainability is a very broad subject matter and as documented in question #4 (What is your role in development process?) the respondents have differing roles in the development process. Based on the results the following topics were identified:

Cost of Green/Return on Investment/Financial benefits: 19 respondents
Miscellaneous responses: Those responses categorized here were responses that dealt with a single subject matter that was generally not repeated in other responses. There were 12 of these and they addressed very valid aspects of sustainable development as follows: Universal definition?, sustainable agriculture, case studies, pedestrian oriented development patterns, carbon calculator, ULI, APA, AIA collaboration, Concrete construction topics, energy, air pollution and waste, greening of pre-platted lots, green remodeling, green examples outside US, Renovating abandoned buildings, benefits of green, public health and awareness, air quality.
Regulatory Incentives: 9 respondents were interested in various aspects of this topic.
Comparison of Green Programs: 8 respondents showed interest in a program that compares and contrasts the various programs out there.
“Real world” Applications: 7 respondents were interested in practical applications that may have already been successfully implemented.
Water quality/Storm water/LID: 7 respondents showed interest in these related topics.
Green Products: 4 respondents were interested in various aspects of this topic including interior design products.
Greenfield vs. Infill: 4 respondents were interested in various aspects of this topic which in my opinion is very relevant to current growth management debates.
Transportation and Infrastructure: 4 respondents were interested in various aspects of this topic.
Density: 3 respondents would like to explore the relationship between density and sustainable design.
Green Technology, Integrating Horizontal and Vertical Components and Sustainable Landscape and Irrigation: Each of these topics were suggested by 2 respondents.

Conclusions/Comments: Sustainability is a broad platform and has many diverse interested practitioners. The financial feasibility of sustainable development is the most prevalent concern and appears to cross all spectrums of the industry and organizations.
The ULI Southwest Florida Sustainability Committee will continue to seek input and will strive to develop programs that meet the interest of the membership.
For more information on the Sustainability Committee please contact Heather Francis at HAFrancis1@aol.com.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

ULI Sustainability Award

The Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida District is pleased to announce the creation of the Sustainability Awards. The Sustainability Awards are designed to annually recognize and celebrate progress that has been made by individuals, organizations or corporations towards making our region more sustainable. This platform will provide an opportunity for future sustainable practices to build off of the successes of others and take note of lessons learned along the way.

About the Sustainability Awards…

To be sustainable means to change our communities and our economy to utilize and restore our environment so that our actions today do not compromise future generations. People and organizations that demonstrate innovation, leadership and have a positive impact on the region are invited to submit nominations for the Sustainability Awards. There are two (2) categories for entry:

1. Impact Award:
Nominations that demonstrate measurable results that positively impact Southwest Florida.

2. Trailblazer Award:
Nominations for an individual whose personal work has helped to shape the sustainability movement in the Southwest Florida region.

The same entry may not be submitted for multiple categories, however, we would encourage you to resubmit next year in a different category. All entries will be reviewed and considered by a panel of jurors selected by the District Council. A winner will be determined by a majority vote of the panel. Only one Sustainability Award will be issued in each category annually. All nominees will be featured on the Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida District website at swflorida.uli.org.

All finalists will be celebrated and the winners of each award category will be announced annually at an awards ceremony during the October Sustainability program.

Judging Criteria Jurors will be asked to review each nomination in each of the two (2) categories based on the following criteria:

1. Sustainability Elements
a. Environmental quality
b. Social equity
c. Economic feasibility

2. Innovation Creation
a. New to the region
b. New to industry/practice

3. Positive Impact
a. Long term impact
b. Measurable impact

4. Future Applications
a. Encourages partnerships
b. Ability to be replicated

What Do the Winners Receive?

Winners of the Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida District Sustainability Awards receive recognition as a leader or innovator in sustainability. Winners will be awarded plaques. The Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida District is committed to awarding plaques that are made from sustainable materials such as natural materials or reclaimed woods, making the awards more memorable and unique and supporting our mission. The Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida District also commits to working with the press to provide exposure for the winners.

Submit your nomination today for the…
2009
Urban Land Institute
Southwest Florida District
Sustainability Award

The Sustainability Awards recognize environmental innovation, economic development and forward-thinking communities in Southwest Florida. Nominations are due by September 30, 2009. To be considered, please send four (4) copies of all nomination information for distribution to the Awards Jury to: Heather Francis fax: 239-263-1103 hafrancis1@aol.com Mail: ULI Southwest Florida 26501 Snowberry Lane Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Monday, June 15, 2009

Save The Date!

13th Annual Winter Institute
Wednesday January 20, 2010
Ritz Carlton-Naples
8am-1pm
Featuring:
SunTrust Senior Economist Greg Miller
Bob Koch-Fugelberg-Koch Architects
Anthony Downs- Author and renowned scholar in urban policy, real estate markets, and economic issues.
**others to be announced**

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Market Trends with Mike Timmerman



Join ULI Southwest Florida on Monday June 22, 2009 as we present Market Trends and Land Based Finance – Challenges and Opportunities

"Bumping Our Bottoms on the Bottom" Market Trends Economic Report and Presentation by: Michael J. Timmerman, SRA of Fishkind & Associates

Land Based Finance-Challenges and Opportunities a presentation by: Bill Reagan Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

**The David Graham Memorial Award for Excellence in Development will be presented by the Estero Community Planning Panel and the Estero Design Review Committee at at this program**

DO NOT MISS THISHIGHLY ANTICIPATED PROGRAM. ***SPACE IS LIMITED***

GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY: Fishkind & Associates, Roetzel & Andress, The Barron Collier Companies, Cheffy, Passidomo, TIB Bank, PK Studios, The Estero Planning Council and The Estero Design Review Committee.

Registration Fees:

$20 Members

$30 Non-Members

$15 Govt/Non-Profits

$15 Full Time Students

Pre-Registration is suggested. Add $10 for on-site registrants
8:00am-8:30am Coffee & Networking

8:30am-10:30am

Program Location: Embassy Suites 10450 Corkscrew Commons Dr. Estero, Florida 33928 For more information,800-321-5011 and mention 81180911 or visit SWflorida.ULI.org to register on-line.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Benefits of ULI Membership

Member Benefits
"ULI is the 'think tank' of real estate. Members exchange information and contribute lessons learned to advance land use policy and development practice.

As a member, you join more than 40,000 members across the globe Please check out ULI's website at swflorida.ULI.org

If you're concerned about local land use and development—a ULI membership gives you the chance to meet peers who share your values and want to discuss the essential issues shaping the urban landscape. As a member located here, you're invited to all ULI Southwest Florida District Council events.

If you'd like to become even more involved, you can join one of ULI Southwest Florida's many committees.

To get the most of your membership, be sure to visit MyULI.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call ULI at 1-800-321-5011 or ULI SW Florida at 239-465-0266.

Events and Networking Opportunities
With over 200 members ULI Southwest Florida is a smaller but VERY active District Council offering 15 informative local programs and networking opportunities yearly.
Exchange ideas with these key industry players at one of our many local programs or access ULI's 40,000 members worldwide through ULI's online Member Database.

Urban Land Magazine
Members receive ULI's monthly magazine, Urban Land, filled with in-depth market profiles, project case studies, financing options and land use policy analysis. Meetings and Conferences.

Discounts
Receive discounts on ULI's many conferences where members meet and learn from diverse industry leaders from around the globe.

ULI Bookstore
Members can save up to 60% at the ULI Bookstore. The bookstore's entire catalogue—more than 250 publications—is now downloadable online. New members receive a 40% discount on their first purchase. ULI also offers books by the page! Visit the new e-bookstore today.

Continuing Education.
From real estate development basics to advanced real estate finance, ULI offers more than 40 workshops and real estate courses through its continuing education program each year with a discount for members.

Policy and Practice
ULI Southwest Florida convenes stakeholders to exchange ideas and information on relevant issues such as affordable housing, sustainability and transit-oriented development. Proceedings are published and are the basis for continuing research. Call on ULI to bring a Panel to your community or give back to a challenged community by lending your expertise to an Advisory Panel.

ULI Career Center
Receive exclusive access to ULI's SelectLeaders Real Estate Job Network, where ULI members can post and search top real estate jobs on twelve premier professional and trade association websites.

Research Assistance
ULI offers personal research assistance at your fingertips through the ULI Library and Information Center. Access research.uli.org anytime, anywhere to search more than 23,000 items online at no cost, or request a custom search at a modest fee.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Viewing Yesterday's Vision through Today's Crystal Ball"


March 26, 2009Public/Private Mixed-Use Urban Redevelopment: “Viewing yesterday’s visions in today’s Crystal Ball”In light of the economic recession many local municipalities are on hold pending the private sectors interest and ability to implement the visions that communities have adopted. Municipalities are holding on to dreams of the past and challenged with patiently waiting for the rebound or proactively making moves today to secure the potential for a brighter future in our older communities and downtowns.

Those who attended this standing room only program on March 26, 2009 received update on local opportunities that are positioned for redevelopment. Are these “white elephants” or true opportunities for the private sector to investigate further? What will 2009 bring for these communities and what is the new model for a private/public partnership in the future?
In a panel format, ULI of SW Florida convened a group of stakeholders to address the challenges and issues associated with the bringing life to visions of the past in the current economic climate. Panelists shall include an elected officials, representatives from community redevelopment agencies, and the development community:


Kim Briesemeister (City of West Palm) (Keynote Speaker/ Moderator): City Place
David Jackson: Collier County Gateway / Bayshore Triangle
Russ Adams: 4-Corners & 41-10
Debrah Forester: Murdock Village
Gary Price: Naples City Council member and CRA Director
Don Paight: Fort Myers Waterfront
Acquest Realty Advisors, Inc: Public/Private Projects: Developer Perspective.

Public/Private Partnerships Mixed- Use Urban Redevelopment






Friday, February 27, 2009

2009 Winter Institute and Pathfinder Awards

Nancy Payton-2009 Pathfinder Award Winner (with former winners and moderator)
Commissioner Jim Coletta, Dave Farmer of Keystone Development Advisors

and Collier Planning Commissioner Dave Wolfley



Florida CFO Alex Sink and Ron Glass of GlassRatner Capital Group

Don Schroetenboer of Gilkey Advisors and Kim Davidson of The Barron Collier Companies

Stephanie Keyes of the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers,

Mike Timmerman of Fishkind & Associates and Dr. Shelton Weeks of the FGCU Lutgert School of Business


John Passidomo of Cheffy, Passidomo with R. Bruce Anderson of Roetzel & Andress



The Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida District Council presented its 12th annual Winter Institute on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009.

The half-day program focused on the current and future trends in five distinct areas of real estate development: lending economics, responsible and sustainable master planned community development, real estate development financing, development in metropolitan cities and Florida's economy.


Guest included Greg Miller, chief economist for SunTrust Bank; Ed McMahon, ULI trustee; Ron Glass, president of GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group; and Tom Murphy, former mayor of Pittsburgh, Pa. Florida CFO Alex Sink provided perspective on the state's current and future financial conditions and the overall economy as well as an update on insurance discounts for home hardening.
During lunch, ULI recognized outstanding local community service with its 2009 Pathfinder Award Winners Nancy Payton of the Florida Wildlife Federation and Jennifer Languell of Trifecta Construction Solutions.

The ULI is a nonpartisan research and educational institute directed by its members and supported by dues. ULI neither lobbies nor acts as an advocate for any single profession or industry. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.