Florida’s construction unemployment rate improves in November

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Florida was one of 37 states to see its November construction unemployment rate improve compared to the year-ago period, a new report from Associated Builders & Contractors Inc. shows.

In November, Florida’s construction unemployment rate was 5.7 percent, down 1.9 percent from a year ago. The state had the 20th-best unemployment rate for the construction industry in November, the report said.

On a month-over-month basis, construction unemployment was down almost 20 percent from October’s 7.1 percent.… …read more

Proposed ferry service between St. Pete, Tampa inches forward

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The mayors of Tampa and St. Petersburg appear to be getting closer to launching a new pilot ferry service linking the two cities.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn of Tampa says he want to see the numbers but that he would like to see the downtowns linked. “The idea makes sense,” Buckhorn said. “I think connecting our two downtowns is the right thing to do. I am open to the idea. I think connecting our two cities is exactly what we should do whether it’s by rail or by water.”

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman… …read more

Lender on 23-story apartment tower in downtown Tampa ‘excited’ for $70M deal

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The lender who provided a $70 million senior loan for a new development in downtown Tampa is “excited” about the deal.

California-based PCCP LLC said Monday that it is backing Atlanta-based Carter’s 23-story apartment tower on North Franklin Street. Carter closed on the 1-acre block in September for $6.4 million and began demolition of the existing structures on the site in mid-December.

“The Tampa market has exhibited strong population and job growth,” Kevin Chin, senior vice president with… …read more

Mixed-use Westchase development fetches $46 million

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An apartment-and-retail development in Westchase has a new owner.

Altis at Highland Park sold to a corporate entity tied to Utah-based Cottonwood Residential on Dec. 21, according to a Hillsborough County deed filed Dec. 29.

Cottonwood paid $46 million for the property, which includes 239 apartments and 5,000 square feet of retail space. Kahwa Coffee is among the building’s retail tenants.

The deal breaks down to $192,468 per apartment.

The seller was Boca Raton-based Altman Cos., which bought… …read more

What’s tops on my ‘look ahead’ list for 2016

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Many preferences: Transit urgency is ramping up, which is funny to say given it has been a slow burn around here for eons. A bad taste lingers from bitter defeats of transportation funding referendum in 2010 in Hillsborough and 2014 in Pinellas. But a Tampa Bay Times/10News WTSP poll this week shows increasing public support for transit upgrades, and lots of them, not just light rail. I’m watching closely to see if the Go Hillsborough public outreach campaign leads to a ballot measure. Tourism… …read more

Laser Locators CEO on creating a culture of inclusion, camaraderie

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Sean O’Donnell

Title, company: President & CEO, Laser Locators Grew up: Beverly, Massachusetts Passion: Gourmet cooking Favorite family recipe: His grandmother’s secret ravioli. “If you tell everyone else how to make it, they won’t come sit at the dinner table with you.” First paid job: At a retail clothing store in junior high Laser Locators revenue: Last year, $8.2 million; 2015 goal: $12 million. “We do revenues with 12 people that companies with 30 or 40 people do.” Education: Started… …read more

The answer to this week’s ‘I Spy’ puzzle is …

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This week’s I Spy Tampa Bay puzzle subject was the Merry Pier in Pass-a-Grille.

Mark McClearnon from Hennessy Construction Services is this week’s winner, sending in a guess at 8:09 a.m. on Tuesday.

Here are the other people who guessed correctly this week:

Deborah Probst, Sirata Beach Resort Adam Phoenix Kim Newberry, Williams Law Association PA Wendy Scolaro, Swim Digital Group Joe Bell Linda Hallgren, Smith & Associates Real Estate Michael Giskin Steven Fidrych, Bright House Networks Business… …read more

Here’s your third ‘I Spy’ clue this week

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Lots of people guessed this week’s I Spy Tampa Bay puzzle on Tuesday, but the clues will keep coming for those who haven’t.

Mark McClearnon from Hennessy Construction Services is this week’s winner, sending in a guess at 8:09 a.m. on Tuesday.

Here are the other people who guessed correctly this week:

Deborah Probst, Sirata Beach Resort Adam Phoenix Kim Newberry, Williams Law Association PA Wendy Scolaro, Swim Digital Group Joe Bell Linda Hallgren, Smith & Associates Real Estate Michael Giskin

If… …read more

5 big deals for downtown St. Pete in 2015

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The vibrancy of downtown St. Petersburg continues to draw investors and developers to the city’s urban waterfront.

The last year saw several luxury condominium developments break ground and more interest in downtown office space. Hofbräuhaus has transformed the former Tampa Bay Times cafeteria into a destination that regularly attracts crowds beyond capacity.

Here’s a look back at some of the biggest deals in downtown St. Pete in 2015:

Million-dollar condos: The city’s luxury condo market is… …read more

Not so fast — millennials do want to buy homes

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Despite common belief and many obstacles, millennials could soon become major players for the residential, single-family homes market.

Zillow.com, a real estate research website, conducted a poll about views on homeownership. In all but one category the 18-to-34 age bracket expressed more favorable views than older generations.

Millennials were much more likely to report that owning a home is necessary to live the good life, provides more personal freedom and is necessary to be a respected member… …read more