Tampa Toll Authority Moving Ahead Despite Latest Troubles

Despite losing its executive director to a scandalous and sudden resignation and facing ongoing scrutiny of its overall operations, the Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority is moving forward with its major plans to further expand its regional toll system.

The latest sting took place in early November, when Ralph Mervine submitted his immediate resignation upon the revelation by the Tampa Tribune of his ownership of an X-rated video production company in California.

The Tribune had been researching the authority's finances as a result of an ongoing investigation initiated in September by the Florida Auditor General. That state audit had come about as a result of questions over the authority's awarding of a contract for legal services.

Mathias Bergendahl, a spokesperson for the Authority, said the audit "clearly will help to guide for any possible changes going forward. It really is aimed to strengthen the authority, and that certainly will be helpful."

Bergendahl said the agency would conduct a national search for a new director, and estimated it could take up to nine months to find a permanent replacement. State Sen. Jim Sebesta's named had been floated as a possible interim leader, but the senator's office indicated he had withdrawn his name from consideration.

In the meantime, James E. Drapp, vice president and officer-in-charge of HNTB's Tampa office, has been named to oversee the day-to-day construction and engineering operations of the Authority. HNTB had already been serving as the toll agency's general engineering consultant.

Major changes are a possibility. A day after Mervine's resignation, the St. Petersburg Times called in its Nov. 10 editorial for the dismantling of the agency.

"We see one role left for the embattled Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority: collect the tolls on its roads until Gov.-elect Charlie Crist takes office in January," the editorial read. "Then state and local leaders should examine how a new regional transportation agency might take its place. The authority already was a dinosaur before recent ethical and financial misconduct made it a disgrace. This week's sudden resignation of its director … only underscores the need for scrapping the authority and starting fresh.

Mervine, formerly director of the Florida Department of Transportation's district one, was brought in to replace Patrick McCue, who was fired in the wake of problems with the construction of the new reversible-lanes bridge for the authority's Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. This unique project was completed and opened to traffic in July and is already surpassing its estimated ridership figures, according to Bob Hartnett, executive director of the Transportation & Expressway Authority Membership of Florida, an association of state toll authorities.

At the time of Mervine's resignation, the agency was moving forward on what would have been one of the first projects of its kind in Florida. The East-West Connector, which would link to the New Tampa area, was moving forward as a public-private partnership, where a private entity would be involved in the financing, construction and collecting of tolls for the new road. Bids for the project were being received in early November.

Bergendahl said Jay Thomas Gibbs, chairman of the authority's board, issued the following statement at a Nov. 13 meeting of the agency: "Our next project, the East-West road, is important to individuals and businesses throughout our service area. Please know that while we make some changes, our commitment to completing the East-West Road is unwavering. We are focusing our resources and our attention on this critical project. It is our intention to move forward with all due diligence to complete the process and the project."

"The focus here is to seek permanent leadership and to continue with the commitment to provide transportation solutions for the Tampa-Hillsborough area," Bergendahl said.

29 Percent Drop in October Contracts

The volume of Florida's construction contract activity continued to decline in October, as McGraw-Hill Construction reported the value of contracts for future construction was down 29 percent during the month, compared to the same period of a year ago. For October, the total value of new contracts totaled nearly $4.3 billion, down from the roughly $6 billion reported a year ago.

The pattern was similar to September. Residential dropped 33 percent to total roughly $2.8 billion for the month. Nonresidential also fell, by 34 percent, to tally about $816 million. The nonbuilding segment was the only positive sector again, showing a 5 percent increase to approximately $661.7 million.

The decline - the fifth consecutive major monthly drop - brought Florida contract activity for the year-to-date to about $53.4 billion, or 12 percent behind the $60.8 billion reported through the first ten months of 2005. Despite this month's decline, nonresidential is still 6 percent ahead of 2005, with about $10.7 billion of activity. Residential, with a $37.1 billion total, is now 17 percent behind 2005's pace. Nonbuilding construction is 6 percent behind last year's pace, with a $5.6 billion total.

Canyon-Johnson Fund Invests in Little Havana

The Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund of Los Angeles announced it is partnering with local developer mFm Construction Corp. on a mixed-use development in Miami's Little Havana district. The Morrison mixed-use project will feature for-sale workforce housing and retail stores.

The majority of the Morrison's units are priced from the mid-$200,000s to mid-$300,000s. Additionally, the developers announced they are working with both Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami in providing down payment assistance and fixed-interest rate mortgage programs for qualified buyers who earn up to 120 percent of the Miami-Dade average household income.

It will consist of 395 residential condominiums in two 19-story towers sitting atop a 667-space, seven-story parking garage. The development will also include more than 30,000 sq. ft. of retail and 34,000 sq. ft. of office space.

The Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund is a joint venture between Canyon Capital Realty Advisors and basketball legend and urban entrepreneur Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

Suffolk to Build FAU, Torrey Pines Projects

Suffolk Construction Co. of West Palm Beach plans to break ground in April on the Florida Atlantic University College of Business/Office Depot Center for Executive Development. Designed by Schenkel Shultz of Orlando, the 13,282-sq.-ft. College of Business will include classrooms, seminar and workshop rooms and a tiered lecture hall and administrative space.

In Port St. Lucie, the contractor was hired to build the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies Florida campus. Groundbreaking for the design-build project is set for February, with completion scheduled 20 months later. Perkins + Will of Coral Gables is the project architect.

The 100,000-sq.-ft. biomedical research facility will be built on 20 acres of vacant land donated by Core Communities in Core's Tradition development at Gatlin Boulevard and Interstate 95. It will house $9 million in lab equipment.

Torrey Pines, based in San Diego, is an independent research institute dedicated to conducting basic research to advance the understanding of human disease and the improvement of human health.

Batson-Cook Building for St. Joe Co.

The St. Joe Co. has hired Batson-Cook Co. of West Point, Ga., to build its WindMark Village Center community in Port St. Joe, in northwest Florida. The project will include six buildings ranging from 12,000 sq. ft. to 44,000 sq. ft., and from one- to three stories in height.

Four of the six buildings will feature ground-floor commercial space as well as condominium space on the upper floors. Residential units will range from 1,300 sq. ft. to 2,700 sq. ft.

$60 Million Dynetech Centre Under Way in Orlando

Construction has started for Lincoln Property Co.'s new $60 million Dynetech Centre in downtown Orlando. Baker Barrios Architects of Orlando designed the 32-story mixed-use high-rise, which will feature 154,000 sq. ft. of office space; 9,500 sq. ft. of restaurant/retail space; 164 residential apartments and a multi-level parking garage.

Baker Barrios is responsible for comprehensive architectural services, construction administration, code compliance analysis, facility programming and interior architecture. Construction is set for completion in late 2007 with a total construction cost of approximately $60 million.

The development will serve as Dynetech's corporate headquarters and will house more than 600 employees.

WELBRO Starts Second Phase at WorldQuest

WELBRO Building Corp. of Maitland has started work on phase two of the WorldQuest Resort in Orlando. The current project consists of two five-story, 34-unit condominium buildings. WELBRO plans a fall completion for the project, which is being developed by Jordan Development Group.

Developer Starts Hyde Park Apartment Expansion in Tampa

Atlanta-based real estate investment trust Post Properties announced the start of an estimated $18.6 million expansion of its Post Hyde Park apartment community in Tampa. The expansion will provide 84 new apartment units with an average size of approximately 1,160 sq. ft.

The expansion is partly the result of the significant amount of condominium conversion activity in South Tampa, said Thomas D. Senkbeil, executive vice president and chief investment officer of Post Properties.

According to Post, the expansion is slated for completion in the first quarter of 2008. Construction will involve the demolition of six existing apartment homes.

Developers Project Start to Sheridan Stationside Village TOD

Developers of Sheridan Stationside Village, a new transit-oriented development located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, announced that construction of the new mixed-use community is targeted to begin in the second half of the year.

Stationside Village Associates LLC - a joint effort of Pinnacle Housing Group of Miami and Ram Development Co. of Palm Beach Gardens - indicated the 41.2-acre mixed-use community, now in the planning stage, will connect residents, workers and shoppers with public transportation at the Tri-Rail commuter rail line's Sheridan Street station. The company estimates an eight- to 10-year buildout for the project. Current plans call for as many as 1,600 residential units; up to 299,000 sq. ft. of office space; 340,000 sq. ft. of retail; a hotel; plus a 793-space parking structure for Tri-Rail riders.

Atlanta-based Cooper Carry is teaming with South Florida-based architects Mark Wiener and Roger Fry as project designers.

Cannonsport Condos Under Construction in Palm Beach Shores

Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide Realty Investors announced that general contractor Catalfumo Construction and Development of Palm Beach Gardens has broken ground for its Cannonsport condominiums development in Palm Beach Shores. The development will offer 36 upscale residences in three-story units.

Scheduled to open in 2007, the three-story, five-building project is located on Lake Worth, just north of Palm Beach.

The condominiums will range from 1,750 to 2,700 sq. ft.

Clancy & Theys Starts on Flora Ridge Elementary

The Orlando-based Florida division of Clancy & Theys Construction Co. recently started construction on Osceola County Schools' Elementary School K (Flora Ridge Elementary School) in Kissimmee. The $16.8 million, 122,000-sq.-ft. facility was designed by SchenkelShultz. Completion is scheduled for November.

CORE to Build 108 Condos at Clermont Yacht Club

CORE Florida of Orlando has won a contract to build 108 condominiums at Clermont Yacht Club, overlooking Lake Minneola in Clermont.

Construction of the $26 million project was set to begin last November. Masthead, LLC is the developer.

Construction Starts on Camden Orange Court

Construction recently began for Camden Orange Court, a mixed-use development in downtown Orlando. Baker Barrios Architects designed the urban, four-story tower that will feature 261 residential units, 7,200 sq. ft. of retail space and a 450-car parking garage.

Baker Barrios is providing master planning and architectural services including site planning, structural framework design and construction administration. Construction is expected to complete in 2008.

Kennedy Completes Palm Coast Condominiums

Roger B. Kennedy of Altamonte Springs recently completed work on Palm Pointe, a $14.2 million condominium complex in Palm Coast. The 200-unit project is composed of 15 two-story buildings totaling 217,600 sq. ft. St. Augustine, Fla.-based Dave Mancino Architect designed the project.

Ardaman to Provide Engineering Services for Miami Streetcar Project

Engineering firm Ardaman & Associates of Orlando was awarded a two-year contract from the City of Miami to provide services for the city's streetcar project corridor and additional locations.

Works Starts in Boca on Milan at Town Center

5295 Center Realty Development, a Florida-based office building developer affiliated with Riverstone Finance & Development Corp., announced it has begun construction of The Milan at Town Center, a new class-A office building in the Boca Raton Town Center area.

The building will total approximately 167,000 sq. ft., with approximately 60,000 sq. ft. of office space and the rest structured parking. The125-ft.-tall building also will include a rooftop restaurant/penthouse, and will feature generator-equipped hurricane-resistant infrastructure.

Clancy & Theys Starts on Pair of Projects

Clancy & Theys Construction Co. of Orlando has started work on the new $10.2 million Winter Garden City Hall. Designed by C.T. Hsu & Associates, Orlando, completion of the 40,000-sq.-ft. facility is scheduled for June 2008.

The company also was awarded the contract for Lake County Public Schools' $19.4 million, 122,000-sq.-ft. Elementary School I in Clermont. Designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture, completion is scheduled for July.

Roger B. Kennedy Wins Westgate Town Center Contract

Roger B. Kennedy of Altamonte Spring has contracted with Westgate Resorts of Orlando for two new projects. It will provide general contracting services for the new Town Center Building #5800 in Kissimmee. The six-story, 113,000-sq.-ft. timeshare building will consist of 60 two-bedroom/two-bath units. The $12.4 million project is scheduled for completion in September 2007.

The architect is Bloodgood Sharp Buster Architects & Planners of Florida, Jacksonville.

Additionally, the company will serve as general contractor for the Westgate Town Center Sales/Check-In Building in Kissimmee. The $13.9 million, three-story, 83,000-sq.-ft. mixed- use commercial sales center is scheduled for completion in October.

The architect is James Frank Price of Apopka.

Miller Construction to Expand Holy Cross Imaging Department

Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale has awarded a $6 million contract to Miller Construction Co., Fort Lauderdale, to expand the facility's outpatient imaging department.The 14,000-sq.-ft. expansion will include the placement of a new, 18,000-pound MRI machine.

IKEA Breaks Ground for Sunrise Store

Furniture retailer IKEA announced it has broken ground for its future store in Sunrise. The 293,000 sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open next summer. The 20-acre IKEA site is located in the planned 25-acre Gateway at Sawgrass, a new retail center being built by Ft. Lauderdale-based Stiles Corp.