It is still happening, the U.S. Military continues to target the Panhandle of Florida as a major area of influence in our national defense. Some might know, the working relationship between Eglin AFB and Tyndall AFB has and will continue to be a center for Operational, Training, and Testing of military programs. Some in the business call this the trifecta. You win this, and your future is secure for quite some time. Oh yea, I bet the Panama City International Airport didn't hurt in this matter!!! I bet some military construction is coming their way.
First of new jets will arrive in 2012; squadron will bring in 600 jobs
By DANIEL CARSON, Florida Freedom Newspapers
TYNDALL AFB — It was the news Bay County officials were hoping for: A new mission — and jobs — are headed to Tyndall Air Force Base. Tyndall’s future will include the addition of a new F-22 Raptor squadron, officials announced this week. The base will receive 21 new fighter jets as part of the Air Force’s consolidation of its F-22 fleet. Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Monticello, said the Air Force’s decision to add an operational squadron to the base’s existing F-22 combat training mission will mean almost 600 more personnel at the base. The new squadron stemmed from government and local civic leaders’ continued efforts to secure Tyndall a follow-on mission, Boyd said. The announcement Thursday comes months after Tyndall started to draw down its two F-15 squadrons as part of an Air Force-wide restructuring plan. “I’m very pleased today that we can celebrate achieving this very important goal,” Boyd said. He praised the work of the Bay Defense Alliance and other Bay County officials to bring the squadron to Tyndall. Boyd said the first F-22s will arrive toward the end of 2012. He said it would take about six months to get all of the F-22s on the base. Bay County leaders, as well as U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and George LeMieux, welcomed the news. Panama City Mayor Scott Clemons called it a needed shot in the arm to the area’s economy. “I was hoping we were going to hear this,” Clemons said. The addition of another F-22 squadron secures Tyndall’s future for a long time, Bay Defense Alliance officials said. “I can’t tell you how much this means for the community,” member Glen McDonald said. Boyd first announced in May that Tyndall was one of four bases in the running for additional F-22 Raptors. Boyd said Thursday that Tyndall had received the maximum number of jets possible and the most of any of the bases under consideration, as the Air Force looks to consolidate F-22 facilities from six to five. An Air Force announcement Thursday listed Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.; Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; Langley Air Force Base, Va.; and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., as other bases affected by the F-22 consolidation. Holloman will deactivate one F-22 squadron and redistribute that squadron’s aircraft to other units, while relocating a remaining F-22 squadron to Tyndall, according to the Air Force. Elmendorf and Langley each will pick up six F-22s, with Nellis receiving two. The moves are contingent on completion of appropriate environmental analyses.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
FUTURE HOUSES WILL LOOK MORE LIKE A HOME
The recent economy has changed the home buying experience. As you can see below, what we thought the consumer wanted is all wrong. However, you will see smaller, better, and smarter homes are on the horizon. However, the local area may cause some variations to this trend.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – July 28, 2010 – The house of the near future could look more like, well, a home.
After the economic recession and collapse of the housing market, “smaller, better, smarter” may win out over grand, oversize showpieces, said Jacksonville architect Michael Dunlap. “That’s what I think they’ll be.” Adds Kermit Baker of the American Institute of Architects: “The era of the McMansion could well be over.” Baker, chief economist for the AIA, said the recession and an interest in lowering utility costs has already changed how houses are designed and built. “As the housing boom has passed, there seems to be a renewed interest in investing in properties to make homes more livable, as opposed to real estate that can be resold quickly for a profit,” he wrote in an AIA report. We interviewed architects and builders to try to figure out what new houses -- both mass-production and custom -- might look like in the next decade or so. The consensus was that they might not appear that much different, at first glance. But here’s a way to picture the future home: Take a house built during the past 20 years, then start scaling back -- or just plain taking away -- some of the features. All those different roof pitches, scattered over gable after gable? That big two-story vestibule? The formal dining room? Gone. That three-story garage? Down to two. That 3,500-square-foot house? Perhaps you’ll have to do with just 2,800. It’s hardly deprivation though, say the experts. Instead, they say, think of it as more practical -- and perhaps even more livable. “The formal living room, the formal sitting room, the big grand open entry with huge stairwell and a 28-foot vault to the ceiling?” said Robert Leinenweber, owner of Eastern Shores Construction in Atlantic Beach. “All that’s going away.” Jacksonville architect Richard Skinner said changes will be dictated by a more uncertain -- and more realistic -- approach to the house in which you live. “It’s the ongoing cost of a house that kills you, the mortgage and the utility payments,” he said. “So if you can figure a way to cut those, you’re on the way to solving the problem.” Baker compiles quarterly reports on home design trends for the AIA, based on information from architectural firms. He’s reluctant to predict what will be happening 10 or 15 years from now, but says you can get clues based on what’s been happening in the recent past. The smaller house trend has been bubbling for some time. Factors include the influence of Sarah Susanka’s “The Not So Big House” books, increasing land and utility costs, and the fact that families aren’t as big as they used to be. Last year, USA Today reported that U.S. Census data shows the average size of a new house dropped for the first time in more than a decade. It went from 2,629 feet in the second quarter of the year to 2,343 in the fourth. “It was gaining some traction even before this downturn,” Baker said. “We don’t really need a 5,000- or 6,000-square-foot home with a big formal dining room, a big formal living room. That doesn’t really reflect us.” Still, that doesn’t mean houses built in the next 10 or 15 years will be anything like the 1,100-square-foot houses put up after World War II. Those were considered just fine by returning G.I.s and their families, but Americans have grown to expect more. Baker said lot sizes have been shrinking for a while, but that entry-level homebuyers often want houses that are as big as they can get -- and that won’t change. “I do believe that when the housing market recovers, those home sizes will begin to inch back up again,” he said. But it might take a long time to get back to as big as they were in the go-go years. Andy Chambers has seen the boom and the bust. He’s president of both MasterCraft Builder Group and the Northeast Florida Builders Association. “Are people going to build bigger, higher-cost houses for the most part?” he said. “I think not.” Rooms that encourage just a single use -- formal living rooms and dining rooms, isolated media rooms --will be the first to go. “People are just looking more carefully at the space that’s useful,” said Skinner. In coming years, look for multi-use rooms of flexible design, featuring lots of open space. That central living area is more spacious, tied into a kitchen that’s functional but not over-the-top. The family area will be focused even more so around the TV screen, which will be even larger, said Skinner: “The TV has taken the spotlight, and people aren’t as ashamed of it as they used to be.” He also expects kitchens to be more practical than extravagant. And bathrooms? They won’t be the “palaces” of past years. They’ll be nice, sure. But who really needs a palace for a bathroom? Skinner said there’s plenty of room in the future for modern-looking houses, but he expects something of a return to a more traditional look. “I think there’s this sense of what a home looks like,” he said. “Proportions will become closer to something that looks classically driven; the scale of homes will be more pleasing to the eye. There’s been a lot of movement in the directions of neighborhoods that are more into the Avondale, Riverside, San Marco design.” For years, people have been envisioning smart “Jetsons”-style houses packed with centralized high-tech systems that will run the whole building. Those predictions were likely overblown, said Chambers, the builders association president. “The high-tech houses, quite honestly, have never taken off, and I think that’s because technology has exceeded the high-tech houses, because of wireless for the most part.” And the much-ballyhooed green house? People are slowly moving that way, though Leinenweber points out that most green construction methods remain too expensive for widespread use. Better insulation and more efficient windows, however, have come down in price enough to be popular. Leinenweber said he’s also seeing less reliance on conventional building materials. Instead, there’s more cement composite siding and recycled plastic and PVC trim. Where will the houses be? Looking at Northeast Florida, there still seems to be plenty of room and interest in development that keeps sprawling farther and farther from the city center. Jacksonville itself, though, will soon run out of room to expand. That’s what William “Bill” Killingsworth, director of the city’s Planning and Development Department, has said. He foresees a future in which aging areas of the city are redeveloped into new higher-density developments, ones close to shopping and public transit. Baker said different parts of the country take different approaches to where to build. But trends seem to indicate one thing. “There seems to be more interest in proximity to something else rather than splendid isolation,” he said.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – July 28, 2010 – The house of the near future could look more like, well, a home.
After the economic recession and collapse of the housing market, “smaller, better, smarter” may win out over grand, oversize showpieces, said Jacksonville architect Michael Dunlap. “That’s what I think they’ll be.” Adds Kermit Baker of the American Institute of Architects: “The era of the McMansion could well be over.” Baker, chief economist for the AIA, said the recession and an interest in lowering utility costs has already changed how houses are designed and built. “As the housing boom has passed, there seems to be a renewed interest in investing in properties to make homes more livable, as opposed to real estate that can be resold quickly for a profit,” he wrote in an AIA report. We interviewed architects and builders to try to figure out what new houses -- both mass-production and custom -- might look like in the next decade or so. The consensus was that they might not appear that much different, at first glance. But here’s a way to picture the future home: Take a house built during the past 20 years, then start scaling back -- or just plain taking away -- some of the features. All those different roof pitches, scattered over gable after gable? That big two-story vestibule? The formal dining room? Gone. That three-story garage? Down to two. That 3,500-square-foot house? Perhaps you’ll have to do with just 2,800. It’s hardly deprivation though, say the experts. Instead, they say, think of it as more practical -- and perhaps even more livable. “The formal living room, the formal sitting room, the big grand open entry with huge stairwell and a 28-foot vault to the ceiling?” said Robert Leinenweber, owner of Eastern Shores Construction in Atlantic Beach. “All that’s going away.” Jacksonville architect Richard Skinner said changes will be dictated by a more uncertain -- and more realistic -- approach to the house in which you live. “It’s the ongoing cost of a house that kills you, the mortgage and the utility payments,” he said. “So if you can figure a way to cut those, you’re on the way to solving the problem.” Baker compiles quarterly reports on home design trends for the AIA, based on information from architectural firms. He’s reluctant to predict what will be happening 10 or 15 years from now, but says you can get clues based on what’s been happening in the recent past. The smaller house trend has been bubbling for some time. Factors include the influence of Sarah Susanka’s “The Not So Big House” books, increasing land and utility costs, and the fact that families aren’t as big as they used to be. Last year, USA Today reported that U.S. Census data shows the average size of a new house dropped for the first time in more than a decade. It went from 2,629 feet in the second quarter of the year to 2,343 in the fourth. “It was gaining some traction even before this downturn,” Baker said. “We don’t really need a 5,000- or 6,000-square-foot home with a big formal dining room, a big formal living room. That doesn’t really reflect us.” Still, that doesn’t mean houses built in the next 10 or 15 years will be anything like the 1,100-square-foot houses put up after World War II. Those were considered just fine by returning G.I.s and their families, but Americans have grown to expect more. Baker said lot sizes have been shrinking for a while, but that entry-level homebuyers often want houses that are as big as they can get -- and that won’t change. “I do believe that when the housing market recovers, those home sizes will begin to inch back up again,” he said. But it might take a long time to get back to as big as they were in the go-go years. Andy Chambers has seen the boom and the bust. He’s president of both MasterCraft Builder Group and the Northeast Florida Builders Association. “Are people going to build bigger, higher-cost houses for the most part?” he said. “I think not.” Rooms that encourage just a single use -- formal living rooms and dining rooms, isolated media rooms --will be the first to go. “People are just looking more carefully at the space that’s useful,” said Skinner. In coming years, look for multi-use rooms of flexible design, featuring lots of open space. That central living area is more spacious, tied into a kitchen that’s functional but not over-the-top. The family area will be focused even more so around the TV screen, which will be even larger, said Skinner: “The TV has taken the spotlight, and people aren’t as ashamed of it as they used to be.” He also expects kitchens to be more practical than extravagant. And bathrooms? They won’t be the “palaces” of past years. They’ll be nice, sure. But who really needs a palace for a bathroom? Skinner said there’s plenty of room in the future for modern-looking houses, but he expects something of a return to a more traditional look. “I think there’s this sense of what a home looks like,” he said. “Proportions will become closer to something that looks classically driven; the scale of homes will be more pleasing to the eye. There’s been a lot of movement in the directions of neighborhoods that are more into the Avondale, Riverside, San Marco design.” For years, people have been envisioning smart “Jetsons”-style houses packed with centralized high-tech systems that will run the whole building. Those predictions were likely overblown, said Chambers, the builders association president. “The high-tech houses, quite honestly, have never taken off, and I think that’s because technology has exceeded the high-tech houses, because of wireless for the most part.” And the much-ballyhooed green house? People are slowly moving that way, though Leinenweber points out that most green construction methods remain too expensive for widespread use. Better insulation and more efficient windows, however, have come down in price enough to be popular. Leinenweber said he’s also seeing less reliance on conventional building materials. Instead, there’s more cement composite siding and recycled plastic and PVC trim. Where will the houses be? Looking at Northeast Florida, there still seems to be plenty of room and interest in development that keeps sprawling farther and farther from the city center. Jacksonville itself, though, will soon run out of room to expand. That’s what William “Bill” Killingsworth, director of the city’s Planning and Development Department, has said. He foresees a future in which aging areas of the city are redeveloped into new higher-density developments, ones close to shopping and public transit. Baker said different parts of the country take different approaches to where to build. But trends seem to indicate one thing. “There seems to be more interest in proximity to something else rather than splendid isolation,” he said.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
NEW MARQUIS 10 SCREEN CINEMA IN CRESTVIEW BRINGS NEW BUSINESS TO AREA
New 10 Screen Movie Theater and adjacent Shopping Center in Crestview taking shape. One of the long awaited commercial enterprises is up and running and doing well. But why not, prior to this opening, thousands of people were driving from Crestview to Destin to see a quality movie. Guess what, they do not now. The thousands of citizens in the Crestview now have a place to give their might dollar to, without driving at least an hour. There is a lot of pinned up money in Crestview and now they have a place to spend it. More to come.
Nearby businesses benefiting from new Marquis Cinema (PHOTOS)
Jul 25, 2010
Brian Hughes
Florida Freedom Newspapers
CRESTVIEW — As more residents discover the new Marquis Cinema, the theater’s owners aren’t the only ones benefiting. Nearby businesses have noticed an increase in customers since the cinema opened.
“We’ve been swamped,” said Sherrie Stanley, a waitress at Ms. B’s Bar-B-Que, the nearest restaurant to the Marquis. “There has definitely been an increase” in customers.
“It’s been great,” agreed Belinda Gibson, the owner of Ms. B’s. “We always had a good lunch crowd. We can really tell the difference with the movie theater now. Our dinner business has been much better.”
The Martin family has had a produce stand at the corner of Richbourg Lane and Industrial Drive for more then 30 years. Operated now by Chris Jenkins and his family, the stand also has seen an increase in business. In fact, moviegoers have to drive right past it.
“We see a lot more traffic,” Chris Jenkins said. “Just today there was a couple guys going to the movies who bought some watermelons and some boiled peanuts. They hoped they could take the peanuts into the movie.”
Marquis Cinema opened in May. Wayne Harris, executive director of the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, said it has been a boon to the area.
“Anything like that has an economic impact to our community,” Harris said.
Construction is expected to begin in August on the 40,000-square-foot retail section of Twin Creek Crossing adjacent to the Marquis, as well as a Johnny O’Quigley’s restaurant opposite the Jenkins’ produce market, Harris said. He said both businesses should be open in less than a year.
Johnny O’Quigley’s will become the chain’s flagship restaurant, Harris added. It will be more family oriented than its Destin sports bar.
Gibbons welcomes the opportunities a new neighbor will bring, saying that it will attract even more customers.
“I think it’s going to bring more people to this end of town,” Gibbons said. “We have people who come in every day from the other end of town going to the movies who didn’t know we were here.”
Nearby businesses benefiting from new Marquis Cinema (PHOTOS)
Jul 25, 2010
Brian Hughes
Florida Freedom Newspapers
CRESTVIEW — As more residents discover the new Marquis Cinema, the theater’s owners aren’t the only ones benefiting. Nearby businesses have noticed an increase in customers since the cinema opened.
“We’ve been swamped,” said Sherrie Stanley, a waitress at Ms. B’s Bar-B-Que, the nearest restaurant to the Marquis. “There has definitely been an increase” in customers.
“It’s been great,” agreed Belinda Gibson, the owner of Ms. B’s. “We always had a good lunch crowd. We can really tell the difference with the movie theater now. Our dinner business has been much better.”
The Martin family has had a produce stand at the corner of Richbourg Lane and Industrial Drive for more then 30 years. Operated now by Chris Jenkins and his family, the stand also has seen an increase in business. In fact, moviegoers have to drive right past it.
“We see a lot more traffic,” Chris Jenkins said. “Just today there was a couple guys going to the movies who bought some watermelons and some boiled peanuts. They hoped they could take the peanuts into the movie.”
Marquis Cinema opened in May. Wayne Harris, executive director of the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, said it has been a boon to the area.
“Anything like that has an economic impact to our community,” Harris said.
Construction is expected to begin in August on the 40,000-square-foot retail section of Twin Creek Crossing adjacent to the Marquis, as well as a Johnny O’Quigley’s restaurant opposite the Jenkins’ produce market, Harris said. He said both businesses should be open in less than a year.
Johnny O’Quigley’s will become the chain’s flagship restaurant, Harris added. It will be more family oriented than its Destin sports bar.
Gibbons welcomes the opportunities a new neighbor will bring, saying that it will attract even more customers.
“I think it’s going to bring more people to this end of town,” Gibbons said. “We have people who come in every day from the other end of town going to the movies who didn’t know we were here.”
Friday, July 23, 2010
MOODY'S REPORTS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PRICES ON THE RISE
If the national picture on commercial real estate is beginning to look good, I can only imagine what our Northwest Florida is looking like with the tens of thousands moving to our area needing restaurants, retail, and a variety of other commercial space. Oh, do you remember, Fort Walton Beach Metro Area, which includes Crestview, Fort Walton Beach and Destin, was noted as the number one area in the country for restaurant growth.
NEW YORK – July 23, 2010 – U.S. commercial real estate prices rose 3.6 percent in May, according to Moody’s/REAL Commercial Property Price Indices CPPI. This is the second consecutive month of increases – prices were up 1.7 percent in April.
“The positive news of increasing prices over the past two months is tempered by low transaction volumes, forecasts for slowing macroeconomic growth and the rising risk of a double dip recession,” said Moody’s managing director Nick Levidy in a statement.
Prudential Financial executives, speaking at a market outlook discussion, said they were “reluctant optimists” about commercial real estate. “As it cranks up, it’s going to start going pretty quickly in the next three, four years,” he predicted.
Sources: The Wall Street Journal, A.D. Pruitt (07/19/2010) and CNBC.com, Jeff Cox (07/21/2010)
NEW YORK – July 23, 2010 – U.S. commercial real estate prices rose 3.6 percent in May, according to Moody’s/REAL Commercial Property Price Indices CPPI. This is the second consecutive month of increases – prices were up 1.7 percent in April.
“The positive news of increasing prices over the past two months is tempered by low transaction volumes, forecasts for slowing macroeconomic growth and the rising risk of a double dip recession,” said Moody’s managing director Nick Levidy in a statement.
Prudential Financial executives, speaking at a market outlook discussion, said they were “reluctant optimists” about commercial real estate. “As it cranks up, it’s going to start going pretty quickly in the next three, four years,” he predicted.
Sources: The Wall Street Journal, A.D. Pruitt (07/19/2010) and CNBC.com, Jeff Cox (07/21/2010)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
DOES WALMART KNOW SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW IN SOUTH WALTON COUNTY, FLORIDA
News has been released a new Walmart is being built in South Walton County, Florida. This is the second Walmart in recents months hitting the news stand. The other being, Niceville's new Walton and shopping center being built at this time. I guess with the hundred's of thousands coming to our area, this might have something to do with this. New International Airport, Military Expansion, and the Baby Boomer's moving from the cold, could this be a reason. Hmmmmm! More to follow.
Walmart development order is issued
By ANGEL McCURDY
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4432 | amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Construction of a Walmart in South Walton County is a step closer to reality. A development order has been issued and a plan review for the building permit has been completed, county building official Billy Bearden said. “We’re quite a bit closer now,” Bearden said. “Now it’s up to the contractors and the Walmart people to get started.” Construction of the 78,290-square-foot building is up for bid to contractors, said Buddy Wright, a Walton County planner. “Hopefully, we’ll see them break ground soon,” Wright said. The project is Phase I of Topsail West at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and West Hewett Road. The project also calls for shops, restaurants and other businesses. Wright said Walmart is the only store set to be built now; everything else is conceptual. Bearden said the 116-acre parcel is large enough for several businesses. “I guess they’re waiting on the Walmart first,” he said. “There’s quite a lot of stuff planned out there.” Bearden said the permit allows site work such as land clearing and utility installation to begin. “Hopefully, it will get done quick,” Bearden said. “My guess is from here it should take about a year now.” Once water and sewer and impact fees have been paid and the application is completed by the general contractor, a final permit can be issued. “Now that this part is done, they can start moving along,” Bearden said.
Walmart development order is issued
By ANGEL McCURDY
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4432 | amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Construction of a Walmart in South Walton County is a step closer to reality. A development order has been issued and a plan review for the building permit has been completed, county building official Billy Bearden said. “We’re quite a bit closer now,” Bearden said. “Now it’s up to the contractors and the Walmart people to get started.” Construction of the 78,290-square-foot building is up for bid to contractors, said Buddy Wright, a Walton County planner. “Hopefully, we’ll see them break ground soon,” Wright said. The project is Phase I of Topsail West at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and West Hewett Road. The project also calls for shops, restaurants and other businesses. Wright said Walmart is the only store set to be built now; everything else is conceptual. Bearden said the 116-acre parcel is large enough for several businesses. “I guess they’re waiting on the Walmart first,” he said. “There’s quite a lot of stuff planned out there.” Bearden said the permit allows site work such as land clearing and utility installation to begin. “Hopefully, it will get done quick,” Bearden said. “My guess is from here it should take about a year now.” Once water and sewer and impact fees have been paid and the application is completed by the general contractor, a final permit can be issued. “Now that this part is done, they can start moving along,” Bearden said.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
WHO IS THIS 7TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP (READ ON)
The following is an update from the Okaloosa Economic Development Council. As you will read, this is one of the area's most unique military unit movements in History, and with such, comes a great responsibility of the local community to prepare with moral support, housing, and recreation. With this said, a great opportunity is here for our area. Also, don't forget, the F-35 Training Program is happening concurrently, as well. THIS IS A MAJOR ANOMALLY, SO DON'T TRY TO CHART TRENDS. THOUSANDS OF NEW MILITARY PERSONNEL ARE BEING ORDERED HERE. PERIOD. EGLIN HAS DEMOLISHED THOUSANDS OF INADEQUATE HOMES IN RECENT MONTHS WITH NO PLANS OF CONSTRUCTING ANY SOON. GOVERNMENT WANTS MILITARY PERSONNEL TO BE INFUSED INTO THE COMMUNITY. IT IS BEST FOR ALL. NOTE: THIS IS FROM A FORMER MILITARY HOUSING DIRECTOR.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Prepares for Move at
BRAC Town Hall Meeting - Fayetteville, North Carolina
More than 2000 Special Forces soldiers and their families met with community members from Northwest Florida for a series of town hall meetings at the Crown Expo Center in Fayetteville, NC, on May 11th and 12th. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure law requires that the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) move to Eglin Air Force Base by September 15, 2011.
The 7th Special Forces Group, a component of the Army Special Forces Command (Airborne), is an experienced unit of 2,200 soldiers including 53 women (primarily serving in intelligence and communications). The group, which is scheduled to begin arriving in the local area in 10 months, will be accompanied by 4,300 family members. The average age of its officers is 40 years and of its enlisted men 32. They have served an average of 20 years and 11 years respectively. The great majority of the Soldiers are married, have completed one to three years of college and include a substantial number who hold college degrees. A large number of the soldiers are multi-lingual. For most of the group, an assignment rotation of seven months in Afghanistan followed by seven months at home is normal and, as might be expected, stress is a problem.
The unit has been anticipating the move to the Emerald Coast since the decision was made to implement the 2005 Base Closure and Realignment law. That anticipation is now reaching an end as Soldiers and their families enter the final year of the transition. While some are eager to relocate to Florida and into their new state-of-the art facilities being constructed in Okaloosa County, others are more hesitant to uproot their families from the Fort Bragg area and replant them in Florida's Emerald Coast. Jobs will be lost, houses sold, children displaced from homes and schools, and the potential for the interruption of lifelong friend-ships is great.
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Prepares for Move at
BRAC Town Hall Meeting - Fayetteville, North Carolina
More than 2000 Special Forces soldiers and their families met with community members from Northwest Florida for a series of town hall meetings at the Crown Expo Center in Fayetteville, NC, on May 11th and 12th. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure law requires that the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) move to Eglin Air Force Base by September 15, 2011.
The 7th Special Forces Group, a component of the Army Special Forces Command (Airborne), is an experienced unit of 2,200 soldiers including 53 women (primarily serving in intelligence and communications). The group, which is scheduled to begin arriving in the local area in 10 months, will be accompanied by 4,300 family members. The average age of its officers is 40 years and of its enlisted men 32. They have served an average of 20 years and 11 years respectively. The great majority of the Soldiers are married, have completed one to three years of college and include a substantial number who hold college degrees. A large number of the soldiers are multi-lingual. For most of the group, an assignment rotation of seven months in Afghanistan followed by seven months at home is normal and, as might be expected, stress is a problem.
The unit has been anticipating the move to the Emerald Coast since the decision was made to implement the 2005 Base Closure and Realignment law. That anticipation is now reaching an end as Soldiers and their families enter the final year of the transition. While some are eager to relocate to Florida and into their new state-of-the art facilities being constructed in Okaloosa County, others are more hesitant to uproot their families from the Fort Bragg area and replant them in Florida's Emerald Coast. Jobs will be lost, houses sold, children displaced from homes and schools, and the potential for the interruption of lifelong friend-ships is great.
Friday, July 16, 2010
HOME SALES IN CRESTVIEW AREA SKY ROCKETING
If you didn't think things were picking up, look at these numbers in Crestview Area as of today as per the Emerald Coast Associations Multiple Listing Service. You do the math.
Total Combined Home Sold (Single Family/Townhomes in Crestview Ares (Jan 1 - Jul 15, 2010: 401
Total Combined Home Sales (Single Family/Townhomes) Pending at this time: 95
Total Combined Home Sales (Single Family/Townhomes)Contingent at this time: 83
Total Combined Home Sold/Pending/Contingent from January 1 - July 15, 2010: 579
Total Combined Home Sales (Single Family/Townhomes) in Crestview Area 2009: 708
This is just in the Crestview area, with the bulk of the military transfers still coming.
Total Combined Home Sold (Single Family/Townhomes in Crestview Ares (Jan 1 - Jul 15, 2010: 401
Total Combined Home Sales (Single Family/Townhomes) Pending at this time: 95
Total Combined Home Sales (Single Family/Townhomes)Contingent at this time: 83
Total Combined Home Sold/Pending/Contingent from January 1 - July 15, 2010: 579
Total Combined Home Sales (Single Family/Townhomes) in Crestview Area 2009: 708
This is just in the Crestview area, with the bulk of the military transfers still coming.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
$18M NEW CHILD CARE FACILITY COMING TO EGLIN AFB
If you didn't think Eglin AFB wasn't getting ready for the massive military growth, think again. The Child Care Facilities are just a few of the many "Quality of Life" projects being built to accomodate the ten's of thousands of new military being assigned to our area. I can assure you, what Eglin is building will not accomodate all the need. Private sector will have to step up and fill in the holes. The word from the senior leadership is the troops are asking for more shops, restaurants, and other forms of entertainment. Believe me, with the present salary situation of the military, you are missing the boat by not targeting this group, who has money year round.
Child-care space increasing at Eglin
By MONA MOORE
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4443 mmoore@nwfdailynews.com
EGLIN AFB — Two new childcare facilities are under construction. The $18 million project includes two 37,890-square-foot buildings that will each accommodate 305 children. “In addition to the infant, toddler, and preschool rooms, both Child Development Centers are equipped with a full kitchen and laundry, administrative spaces, and multiple playgrounds,” said Paula Harris, spokeswoman for Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon, defense contractors for the project. The buildings are scheduled for completion by Aug. 15, 2011, and will be located on Boatner Road between the hospital and the Officer’s Club. The facilities will provide care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. “They will be side by side and they will mirror each other in design,” said Malinda Camp, chief of the Airmen Family Services flight. BWSC has teamed with contractor A.E. New Jr., out of Pensacola, for the project. The new facility was financed with $9.6 million in BRAC funds and $8.8 million in military construction money. The CDC currently has a waiting list of about 80 children. Nearly 400 children attend the CDC. “Years ago, before I even came here, (the CDC) had a large waiting list and they built a temporary facility that houses more than 270 children. And that facility will be replaced with one of the centers,” Camp said. “The other one is to accommodate the demand once the 7th Special Forces and the Joint Strike Fighter families get here.” In addition to the new facilities, a $3.06 million addition of the current CDC is under way. Scheduled for completion Feb. 25, 2011, the new addition will be used for before- and after-school care of children 5 to 12 years old. The 10,300-square-foot addition will include classroom space, a food service kitchen, storage areas and administrative and staff support.
Child-care space increasing at Eglin
By MONA MOORE
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4443 mmoore@nwfdailynews.com
EGLIN AFB — Two new childcare facilities are under construction. The $18 million project includes two 37,890-square-foot buildings that will each accommodate 305 children. “In addition to the infant, toddler, and preschool rooms, both Child Development Centers are equipped with a full kitchen and laundry, administrative spaces, and multiple playgrounds,” said Paula Harris, spokeswoman for Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon, defense contractors for the project. The buildings are scheduled for completion by Aug. 15, 2011, and will be located on Boatner Road between the hospital and the Officer’s Club. The facilities will provide care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. “They will be side by side and they will mirror each other in design,” said Malinda Camp, chief of the Airmen Family Services flight. BWSC has teamed with contractor A.E. New Jr., out of Pensacola, for the project. The new facility was financed with $9.6 million in BRAC funds and $8.8 million in military construction money. The CDC currently has a waiting list of about 80 children. Nearly 400 children attend the CDC. “Years ago, before I even came here, (the CDC) had a large waiting list and they built a temporary facility that houses more than 270 children. And that facility will be replaced with one of the centers,” Camp said. “The other one is to accommodate the demand once the 7th Special Forces and the Joint Strike Fighter families get here.” In addition to the new facilities, a $3.06 million addition of the current CDC is under way. Scheduled for completion Feb. 25, 2011, the new addition will be used for before- and after-school care of children 5 to 12 years old. The 10,300-square-foot addition will include classroom space, a food service kitchen, storage areas and administrative and staff support.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
INTERNATIONAL BUYERS SHOW STRONG INTEREST IN U.S. HOMEOWNERSHIP
With interest from International buyers growing nationwide for real estate. It would only make sense, with the Joint Strike Fighter Training Program here at Eglin AFB, international interest in U.S. real estate would be higher in our area. The Joint Strike Fighter Program is truly a joint effort with over 12 countries having their pilots being trained here. This state of the art Fighter Jet will surely capture the news both here and abroad, and will bring new eyes to the beauty of the Emerald Coast of Florida. Let's not forget, the Snowbirds from Canda have found us and their numbers are growing every year, as well.
International interest in U.S. homeownership increases
WASHINGTON – July 8, 2010 – International homebuyers are increasingly attracted to property in the U.S., according to the National Association of Realtors®’ 2010 Profile of International Home Buying Activity. Several factors, including the strength of the dollar, the value and desirability of U.S. real estate, and the emerging economic recovery, continue to drive international interest in owning a home in this country.“While all real estate in the U.S. is local, the same is not true for property owners,” said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder. “The U.S. continues to be a top destination for international buyers from all over the world. Foreign buyers understand the value of owning a home in this country and can rely on Realtors to help guide them through the complex process of buying property in the U.S. With expertise, knowledge and experience, Realtors have a global perspective.”The survey covers the period between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010. During that time foreign buyers, including those with residency outside the U.S. as well as recent immigrants and temporary visa holders, are estimated to have purchased $66 billion of U.S. residential property, or 7 percent of the residential market.Slightly more than a quarter of Realtors, 28 percent, reported working with at least one international client in the past year. This is a significant increase from the 2009 report, when 23 percent of Realtors worked with foreign clients. Eighteen percent of all Realtors were estimated to have completed at least one sale, compared to 12 percent last year.“Several factors have contributed to an increase in international buyer interest in the U.S.,” said Golder. “A large majority of Realtors report the changes in value to the U.S. dollar have had a strong impact on the international real estate business. In addition, perceptions abroad about trends in the U.S. real estate market have led many international clients to believe purchasing a home in the U.S. is more affordable than in their country and holds more value.”International buyers came from 53 different countries around the world. The top four countries were Canada, Mexico, the U.K. and China/Hong Kong. With 23 percent of international buyers coming from Canada, the country has remained the largest buying group in the past three years. Foreign buyers from Mexico have been steadily increasing. In 2010, Mexico replaced the U.K. as the second largest buying group with 10 percent of buyers. Buyers from the U.K. decreased from 10.5 percent in 2009 to nine percent in 2010. Eight percent of recent buyers came from China/Hong Kong.Two factors important to international clients when purchasing property in the U.S. are proximity to their home country and the convenience of air transportation. Florida typically attracts European, Canadian and South American buyers while the East Coast draws Europeans. The West Coast brings Asian buyers and the Southwest attracts Mexicans.International buyers were reported in 39 states in 2010, but a slight majority of the total buyers are concentrated in Florida, California, Arizona and Texas. These four states account for 53 percent of purchases and have remained the top destinations for the past three years, with Florida and California remaining the top two destinations.The median price paid by international buyers for a home in the U.S. was $219,400, a decrease from 2009’s median price of $247,100. However, the median price paid by foreign buyers was significantly higher than the overall median market price, which was $172,500 in 2009. On average, foreign buyers tend to purchase closer to the upper end of the market; 16 percent of the total international purchases were for homes priced at more than $500,000. According to Realtors, this was because international buyers are typically looking for a second home.A majority of international buyers, 66 percent, purchased single-family detached homes. However, more international buyers purchased a condo than did their U.S. counterparts, at 23 percent and 7 percent, respectively. Only 44 percent of international buyers used a mortgage to pay for their home, compared to 92 percent of domestic buyers. Fifty-five percent of foreign buyers paid all cash. Realtors reported that a majority of international buyers use all cash because of the difficulty in establishing international credit in the U.S. Over one-third, 34 percent, of potential foreign buyers was unable to complete transactions because of financing problems in the U.S.
International interest in U.S. homeownership increases
WASHINGTON – July 8, 2010 – International homebuyers are increasingly attracted to property in the U.S., according to the National Association of Realtors®’ 2010 Profile of International Home Buying Activity. Several factors, including the strength of the dollar, the value and desirability of U.S. real estate, and the emerging economic recovery, continue to drive international interest in owning a home in this country.“While all real estate in the U.S. is local, the same is not true for property owners,” said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder. “The U.S. continues to be a top destination for international buyers from all over the world. Foreign buyers understand the value of owning a home in this country and can rely on Realtors to help guide them through the complex process of buying property in the U.S. With expertise, knowledge and experience, Realtors have a global perspective.”The survey covers the period between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010. During that time foreign buyers, including those with residency outside the U.S. as well as recent immigrants and temporary visa holders, are estimated to have purchased $66 billion of U.S. residential property, or 7 percent of the residential market.Slightly more than a quarter of Realtors, 28 percent, reported working with at least one international client in the past year. This is a significant increase from the 2009 report, when 23 percent of Realtors worked with foreign clients. Eighteen percent of all Realtors were estimated to have completed at least one sale, compared to 12 percent last year.“Several factors have contributed to an increase in international buyer interest in the U.S.,” said Golder. “A large majority of Realtors report the changes in value to the U.S. dollar have had a strong impact on the international real estate business. In addition, perceptions abroad about trends in the U.S. real estate market have led many international clients to believe purchasing a home in the U.S. is more affordable than in their country and holds more value.”International buyers came from 53 different countries around the world. The top four countries were Canada, Mexico, the U.K. and China/Hong Kong. With 23 percent of international buyers coming from Canada, the country has remained the largest buying group in the past three years. Foreign buyers from Mexico have been steadily increasing. In 2010, Mexico replaced the U.K. as the second largest buying group with 10 percent of buyers. Buyers from the U.K. decreased from 10.5 percent in 2009 to nine percent in 2010. Eight percent of recent buyers came from China/Hong Kong.Two factors important to international clients when purchasing property in the U.S. are proximity to their home country and the convenience of air transportation. Florida typically attracts European, Canadian and South American buyers while the East Coast draws Europeans. The West Coast brings Asian buyers and the Southwest attracts Mexicans.International buyers were reported in 39 states in 2010, but a slight majority of the total buyers are concentrated in Florida, California, Arizona and Texas. These four states account for 53 percent of purchases and have remained the top destinations for the past three years, with Florida and California remaining the top two destinations.The median price paid by international buyers for a home in the U.S. was $219,400, a decrease from 2009’s median price of $247,100. However, the median price paid by foreign buyers was significantly higher than the overall median market price, which was $172,500 in 2009. On average, foreign buyers tend to purchase closer to the upper end of the market; 16 percent of the total international purchases were for homes priced at more than $500,000. According to Realtors, this was because international buyers are typically looking for a second home.A majority of international buyers, 66 percent, purchased single-family detached homes. However, more international buyers purchased a condo than did their U.S. counterparts, at 23 percent and 7 percent, respectively. Only 44 percent of international buyers used a mortgage to pay for their home, compared to 92 percent of domestic buyers. Fifty-five percent of foreign buyers paid all cash. Realtors reported that a majority of international buyers use all cash because of the difficulty in establishing international credit in the U.S. Over one-third, 34 percent, of potential foreign buyers was unable to complete transactions because of financing problems in the U.S.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
WALKABILITY IS A NEW DESIRED AMENITY IN RESIDENTIAL LIVING
The Wall Street Journal reports Americans are paying more for homes, where homes provide walkability to recreation and retail.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Nancy Keates (07/02/2010)
Walkability Is a New Desired Amenity The increasing interest among Americans in walkability is spawning a change in attitude about the desirability of not only urban areas, but also suburbs — both old and new — that have nearby amenities that can be reached on foot. Having amenities within walking distance can boost the value of a home as much as $3,000, according to one study. Another found that “location efficiency,” a measure of transportation costs, affected the number of foreclosures in a neighborhood.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, Nancy Keates (07/02/2010)
Walkability Is a New Desired Amenity The increasing interest among Americans in walkability is spawning a change in attitude about the desirability of not only urban areas, but also suburbs — both old and new — that have nearby amenities that can be reached on foot. Having amenities within walking distance can boost the value of a home as much as $3,000, according to one study. Another found that “location efficiency,” a measure of transportation costs, affected the number of foreclosures in a neighborhood.
Monday, July 5, 2010
EGLIN HOUSING PRIVATIZATION PROJECT TIED TO MORE BASES
What does this mean? Well, in 2004 Eglin AFB, Hurlburt AFB, and Edward AFB, was identified as a site for the Military Housing Privatization Program. However, since this time the number of military housing units needed was drastically reduced. Thus making the contract of privatization not attractive enough to bid. The reason for this reduction, starts with the military's policy of owning or leasing military housing as a last resort. The desirable state in meeting the needs of military housing is to give military personnel their tax free housing allowance and have them either rent or own in the community. With this said, the military had to add more military bases to make it more profitable to bid on the contract. What does this mean again? Privatization will take a number of years to happen and the needs analysis for military housing was drastically reduced locally by over 1/2 of previous housing units. In fact in the last year, Eglin AFB has extra money and chose to destroy over half of the existing inventory of housing because it was substandard. This reduction was even considered with all the new additional military personnel (Army Post/Joint Strike Fighter) being transferred here. Remember, the military's policy to give the housing entitlement and make their own choices. So don't think the military will be building a bunch of housing and the need for the private sector be reduced. In fact, the pressure is on the private sector to meet this need NOW!!!! Oh, did I tell you, I was a Military Housing Director.
By MONA MOORE
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4443 mmoore@nwfdailynews.com
EGLIN AFB — Eglin’s housing privatization is getting sweeter every year. In order to attract builders, the project has been bundled with four other locations. The privatization plan turns builders into landlords of the military housing, shifting the renovation, construction, operations and maintenance responsibilities of family housing to the private sector. Builders lease the land for the project. Eglin’s privatized housing was bundled with Hurlburt Field when first proposed in 2003. To improve the deal before its September 2010 offering, housing at Edwards AFB was added in 2006, Seymour Johnson AFB and McConnell in 2009 and Eielson AFB this year. For the price of building or improving housing at each location, the winning bid will collect rent from all military housing on the bases. The draft of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Military Housing Project Initiative was scheduled for release this summer, but has been pushed back to this fall. Eglin spokesman Mike Spaits said the EIS delay was not a result of the bidding process. “It just takes time,” Spaits said. “We want to make sure the analysis is complete, that it’s accurate. We’re not rushing it. We’re making sure that we have as much of the data and we understand what the data means before putting out the document.” The location of the future housing has not yet been determined. Several parcels of land are under consideration, including White Point, Eglin Main, Crestview (between Duke Field and Yellow River) and Mossy Head. Some residents opposed options outside Eglin Main at public scoping meetings last January. “We’re absolutely taking into account what people said and that’s for every EIS, for every environmental document that you compile,” Spaits said. “You take into consideration the comments you receive from the community and make sure that you take them all very seriously and we do.”
By MONA MOORE
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4443 mmoore@nwfdailynews.com
EGLIN AFB — Eglin’s housing privatization is getting sweeter every year. In order to attract builders, the project has been bundled with four other locations. The privatization plan turns builders into landlords of the military housing, shifting the renovation, construction, operations and maintenance responsibilities of family housing to the private sector. Builders lease the land for the project. Eglin’s privatized housing was bundled with Hurlburt Field when first proposed in 2003. To improve the deal before its September 2010 offering, housing at Edwards AFB was added in 2006, Seymour Johnson AFB and McConnell in 2009 and Eielson AFB this year. For the price of building or improving housing at each location, the winning bid will collect rent from all military housing on the bases. The draft of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Military Housing Project Initiative was scheduled for release this summer, but has been pushed back to this fall. Eglin spokesman Mike Spaits said the EIS delay was not a result of the bidding process. “It just takes time,” Spaits said. “We want to make sure the analysis is complete, that it’s accurate. We’re not rushing it. We’re making sure that we have as much of the data and we understand what the data means before putting out the document.” The location of the future housing has not yet been determined. Several parcels of land are under consideration, including White Point, Eglin Main, Crestview (between Duke Field and Yellow River) and Mossy Head. Some residents opposed options outside Eglin Main at public scoping meetings last January. “We’re absolutely taking into account what people said and that’s for every EIS, for every environmental document that you compile,” Spaits said. “You take into consideration the comments you receive from the community and make sure that you take them all very seriously and we do.”
Thursday, July 1, 2010
New Speedway from Crestview to Fort Walton Beach Moving Ahead Rapidly
It you didn't think the State of Florida was serious about making the trip from Crestview to Eglin AFB and Fort Walton Beach an eaiser one, think again. The below are some recent pictures showing the new overpass in the midst of construction, which will speed traffic from the North to the South Okaloosa County and return. This is just one step the State of Florida is making to accomodate the folks being assigned to the new Army Post and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Training Squadron in their day to day drive to and from Crestview. As the locals can tell you, the only place to grow is Crestview and it has become a favorite for many newcomers.
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