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Florida urban real estate and gentrification

Florida Trend Exclusive Florida urban real estate and gentrification

Gentrification looms in Orlando’s Little Vietnam neighborhood. It’s the same sort of problem facing other ethnic and cultural enclaves in the cities around Florida, where urban redevelopment threatens to wipe away the unique character of places like the warehouse district and Little San Juan neighborhood in Miami’s Wynwood and St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue. [Source: Florida Trend]

Trio who launched investment business in Florida charged with $1.3 billion Ponzi scheme

Three businessmen who built a real-estate empire on the backs of investors from South Florida to Southern California were arrested Thursday on charges of orchestrating a $1.3 billion Ponzi scheme that swindled thousands, authorities said. Most of the victims were elderly. [Source: Miami Herald]

Caribbean real estate is hot (and getting hotter)

The Caribbean real estate market is hot as ever. That was the takeaway at last week’s first-ever Caribbean Real Estate and Investment Summit, held in the heart of downtown Boca Raton. The summit, helmed by powerhouse real estate brokerage The Agency, brought together brokers, developers, investors, attorney and other stakeholders in the booming regional industry. [Source: Caribbean Journal]

Canadians are buying homes in Tampa Bay, but so are Icelanders, Turks and Finns

Tampa Bay is bucking the trend as turmoil abroad — be it Brexit in Britain or upheaval in Venezuela — is taking its toll on Florida’s real estate market. While sales to foreigners dropped 15 percent statewide last year, the bay area managed to slightly increase its share of buyers from other countries, according to a new study by the National Association of Realtors. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Mystery buyer agrees to purchase land north of Daytona’s Latitude Margaritaville

Just three months after Latitude Margaritaville’s developer walked away from a pending deal to double the size of its Jimmy Buffett 55-and-older community, a mystery developer has emerged to snap up the site. Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co. on Monday announced it agreed to sell the 1,600-acre site immediately north of Latitude Margaritaville to “a master-planned community developer that would be new to the Daytona Beach market.” [Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal]

Trend Mention

June 13th & 14th, come to the ULI Florida Summit to connect with 650+ of Florida’s leading real estate experts and land use practitioners from private practice, public sector and academia to learn how to get ahead of change in creating and sustaining thriving communities. The 2019 Summit will focus on today’s changing markets, trends, and opportunities, feature leading industry professionals. Network with top real estate professionals from around Florida, including developers, attorneys, engineers, architects, and land use planners. Early Bird Rates End on April 26th! Register here.

STAT OF THE WEEK 19 John W. Henry owns the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Globe, and the Liverpool Football Club. He also owns a spacious Florida mansion that has 19 bathrooms and is currently on the market. [Source: Business Insider]

ALSO TRENDING:

› Miami’s condo king now wants to build apartments in this Opportunity Zone [The Real Deal] South Florida’s condo king is so enamored with the Opportunity Zone program that he is looking to use it to build market-rate apartments in West Palm Beach. Related Group’s Chairman and CEO Jorge Perez said he plans to use the Opportunity Zones tax break for a waterfront parcel in the city.

› A close look at the state of affordable housing in Orlando [GlobeSt.com] Follow a deal earlier this year involving the purchase of the Tropical Manor apartment complex, GlobeSt.com takes a closer look at Florida affordable housing and learns more on how the much-needed affordable units of this particular complex could have otherwise been converted to market-rate housing.

› Everyone agrees Pensacola Beach’s lease system is broken. But how to fix it? [Pensacola News Journal] Escambia County and Pensacola Beach leaders hope to bring some uniformity to the complicated lease system that has governed development on the beach since 1947, but their task isn’t easy.

› The evolution of Edgewater, a hidden gem [Miami Herald] There is no denying Miami is on the rise. With a booming downtown, a bustling financial district in Brickell, and a beach that attracts visitors worldwide, now is the time to be in Miami. As the city continues to evolve and advance, lesser-known neighborhoods bordering the major districts are stepping forward, developing their own unique identities, and gaining international attention.

Previous Real Estate Updates:

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Snell scheduled to start for Tampa Bay against Chicago

Tampa Bay Rays (7-3, first in the AL East) vs. Chicago White Sox (3-5, fourth in the AL Central)

Chicago; Monday, 2 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Rays: Blake Snell (1-1, 3.46 ERA) White Sox: Carlos Rodon (1-1, 1.59 ERA)

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LINE: Rays favored by 1 1/2 runs; over/under is 7 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago White Sox square off against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

The White Sox went 30-51 in home games in 2018. Chicago averaged 8.2 hits with 3.0 extra base hits per game last year.

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The Rays went 39-42 on the road in 2018. Tampa Bay pitchers had an ERA of 3.75 last year with a staff WHIP of 1.20. The White Sox won the season series 4-2 in 2018.

———

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by HERO Sports, and data from Sportradar.

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Central Florida 100: Housing, UCF and mourning New Zealand

Thad Seymour should be the interim president of UCF for a year or more, trustees decided Thursday. (Courtesy of UCF)

Chris Carmody, shareholder, GrayRobinson

Last week: On Thursday, for the second straight year, the Florida Senate passed legislation aimed at protecting vegetable gardens on private property. Wheat a second, that’s illegal? Well, not here in central Florida, but some south Florida cities got all artichoked up about front lawn gardens and outlawed them. Senator Rob Bradley thought it was about thyme to change that. His bill would prevent local govern-mint from restricting gardens, and exempts water control, fertilizer and invasive species ordinances. The bill still has a long road to hoe in the House, but perhaps this year the seeds will sprout. After all, it ain’t over lentil it’s over.

Last week: Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to two different organizations, a local LGBT group and the Trump Club of Seminole County. Clearly, these organizations have little in common. However, my presentation at both focused on recent successes and challenges regarding infrastructure, environment and public safety. Ironically, both had similar questions and concerns. It reminded me that perception is not always reality. People are people and at their core, everyone has the same desire for a quality life, safety in their homes and freedom to pursue happiness. If we concentrated on our shared goals, instead of our differences, achieving them would be infinitely easier.

Last week: So here is a great question…why would you leave your pet tied up or abandon them during a natural or manmade disaster? You don’t! If this is the kind of person you are, then you don’t deserve the privilege of having a fur baby as a friend. A bill, which was filed on March 1, would make it a criminal act to leave pets chained up during such events, specifically by making it a first-degree misdemeanor. Under the bill, those who leave their pets unattended or restrained during a disaster would face up to a year in jail or a fine up to $5,000. Perhaps this light sentence will make a person think next time they abandon man’s/woman’s best friend. Probably not.

Last week: In the aftermath of the horrific terrorist attack in New Zealand, it was heartwarming to see so many Orlandoans rallying together to support our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world. For those who lived here at the time of the terrorist attack at the Pulse nightclub, we know first-hand how important these rallies are in the aftermath to a community simultaneously grieving and healing. While we’re thousands of miles removed from each other, every modicum of support that we demonstrate towards the Muslim community of Christchurch is an affront to the terrorists and serves as a small step forward in the healing process. As those in Christchurch stood with Orlando in 2016, we stand with you now.

Francisco Gonzalez, philanthropy director, National Review Institute

Last week: Congratulations to Andrew Gillum for finding a job! Florida voters rejected him in November, but he still had $3.9 million cash on hand from that campaign and he’s found a way to use it: on a voter registration drive. Andrew seems to be really good at getting out the vote — and finding a way to pay himself for this new job.

Looking ahead: It’s amazing how far to the Left – and how far outside the Constitution – many in the Democratic Party have gone recently. There was a day when the biggest fight between Left and Right was about the size and role of government. Now, it’s about the foundation of the Republic itself. Top candidates for the Democratic ticket want to get rid of the Electoral College and have suggested reinventing the Supreme Court, while also consistently attacking the Bill of Rights. This is scary stuff. For the future of our country and the world, let’s work to keep it fantasy.

Eric Jackson, president/CEO, Total Roof Services Corp.; board member, Children’s Home Society of Florida

Looking ahead: The recent passage of the federal Family First Prevention Services Act sends a clear message: Children belong with their families. I’m encouraged to see the federal government’s commitment to invest in front-end services like parenting education, substance abuse treatment and counseling so more children can remain safely at home. This is a direction Children’s Home Society of Florida has been moving toward for years as it strives to end the need for foster care as we know it by keeping more families safe, strong and together. As Florida prepares to implement this legislation, I look forward to seeing the collaboration among the state and community-based care lead agencies.

Last week: In November, Floridians adopted Amendment 4 by a nearly two-thirds majority, restoring voting rights to convicted felons who had served their time and completed all other requirements. Now the Legislature is considering a bill that can potentially delay or take away those newly-reinstated rights — especially for lower-income people. Voter enfranchisement is supposed to level the playing field.

Looking ahead: Warren Buffett is offering a million dollars a year for life to anyone (or, at least, any of his employees) who picks a perfect Sweet 16 bracket for the NCAA basketball tournament. I took a look at the schedule, and I’m confident I’ve got a winner. I’m picking "TBA" for all sixteen. Now all I need is a job at Berkshire Hathaway.

Ken LaRoe, founder and CEO of First GREEN Bancorp

Last week: Thanks to Gov. DeSantis and Agriculture Commissioner Fried, the will of the people was finally met with the smokable marijuana bill. What this really means is that the whole flower — with its unique set of medicinal properties — can now be purchased and used in its many different methods of administration. What we need next is recreational. I’ve heard repeatedly the horrors of recreational. That is absolutely untrue as cannabis is not a gateway drug, is not addictive and cannot cause overdose. Let’s move the discussion out of the dark ages.

Looking ahead: I live in rural Lake County where I grew up. It used to be peaceful and quiet. Since all gun laws were made illegal by our NRA-pandering Republican legislature, every gun nut has set up a DIY gun range in their backyard. It’s basically like Aleppo all day long with semi-automatic and fully automatic gun fire going off. That is bad enough but now a number of the inconsiderates have starting shooting at night! Our sleep was rudely interrupted the other night at 11 p.m. by gunfire that lasted 15 minutes. When is the gun insanity going to stop?

Last week: The Altamonte Springs autonomous shuttle project has been in the works for over 20 years. Officials could not foresee autonomous vehicles back then, but they certainly could foresee a need for an S.R. 436 parallel corridor for transit. Businesses along the corridor have been giving the City easement and right-of-way access ever since, at no cost to taxpayers. What could cost Florida taxpayers is House Bill 4043 – a $2 million gift to the city to kick start a project between an unnamed private venture and the city. Privately run public shuttles could succeed. However, taxpayers subsidizing private entities are often on the hook for more.

Looking ahead: Police lurking in the shadows to catch speeders is neither safe, nor is it effective in reducing speeding. It’s also a sleazy way to enforce the speed limit. We need our police to be out in the open and visible to drivers. Assuming the police are there in the interest of public safety, what’s better, a cop behind a bush or a police vehicle in the open to remind all drivers to drive safely? Seminole County Sheriff’s vehicles are a good example of where you will almost always see the patrol car out in the open for everyone to see.

Last week: As Orlandoans, we mourn for the victims of the white nationalist inspired anti-Muslim terrorist massacres at the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Center in Christchurch, New Zealand, which killed 50 people. The cowardly terrorist mass shootings, which were live-streamed, horridly remind us of the deadly Pulse nightclub attack on June 12, 2016. The victims included New Zealanders of all racial backgrounds as well as nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Jordan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. And, while I can’t blame New Zealand for seeking to ban assault weapons after the massacre, I wonder what it will do to combat the root cause of the tragedy, violent white extremist ideology.

Looking ahead: The Mueller Report will soon be complete and will undoubtedly spawn a cannibalistic frenzy among politicians and pundits. Will it be released to the public? Let’s hope so, otherwise media outlets will be consumed in a bottomless sinkhole of Trumpian conspiracy theory and sensationalism for the next two years. Personally, I’d like to watch real news. Is there a smoking gun that will overwhelmingly demonstrate that President Donald Trump is a Manchurian Candidate for the Russians? Probably not. Did Trump fail to disclose business dealings with Russia opening the door for compromise? Probably so. So where does that leave us?

Last week: As our country becomes more divided, we must not forget one of the most critical lessons we teach our young children – the lesson of compassion and kindness regardless of differences. We are now being reminded of this valuable message by a local kindergarten class in Merritt Island in Brevard County. The class designed a symbol for kindness and hope for it to gain worldwide recognition. If enough people sign their online petition, it will be sent to the leaders of Congress, Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi. Lately, it seems we could all benefit from this little reminder, so let’s hope the class achieves its goal!

Looking ahead: We are overlooking a group that was strongly affected by our country’s college-admissions scandal. The disastrous impact this systemwide abuse has had on students with learning disabilities is severe. They are already stigmatized and many students with learning differences report experiencing various forms of discriminationby peers and even teachers and staff. Many falsely believe that students with learning challenges get an unfair advantage. Sadly, the only unfair advantage here is the ridiculous sums of money parents are willing to pay college preparatory businesses so their children — whom they apparently believe can only be successful in college through dishonest and unethical scams — can attend an Ivy League school.

Last week: There was a modern-day David vs. Goliath showdown that took place in the Fifth District Court of Appeal. Rural East Orange County residents squared off again against an incestuous giant of developers, lobbyists, lawyers and even their own county government paid for by their own tax dollars. Broken promises, conflicted representation and the powerful trying to crush the little guy describes the fight of these residents to prevent incompatible development east of the urban service boundary in a part of Orange County already neglected for far too long. May the giant fall again this time because the cause is right.

Last week: The opening of EarthFare at the corner of Gore and Orange Avenue on Wednesday morning was a sight to behold. Hundreds of people lined up to enter the long-anticipated urban market with a chance to win big money gift cards. The crowd included enthusiastic health food shoppers, hopeful social media “influencers” live streaming their experience as well as people who just love the freebies from a grand opening. Patrons of EarthFare can count on an easy-to-access parking garage from Gore or Orange Avenue and plenty of seating to enjoy made-fresh breakfast, lunch or dinner options.

Last week: A program exists that provides tax incentives, including temporary deferrals on capital gains taxes when those gains are reinvest into qualified opportunity funds, called Opportunity Zones. The objective is to invest those funds into low-income communities. Often these programs end up benefiting the investor and work against low-income families. These programs should be carefully monitored to make sure they’re benefiting the community and not only the investor. This could easily spin into a situation where government revenue is lost and expenditure goes up for section 8 housing subsidies to accommodate the newly created group of homeless. It takes concerned citizens to hold government accountable and hopefully these communities can invest the time to do so.

Last week: It took the New Zealand government less than a week to pass a ban on semiautomatic assault rifles after last week’s horrific terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. In contrast, the Florida Legislature has refused to act on demands from a majority of Floridians to pass similar legislation nearly 3 years after the mass shooting involving AR-15s at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, and over a year after the mass shooting at the high school in Parkland. A state ban on all semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines is not a 2nd Amendment issue; it’s a public safety issue.

Last week: Last week’s news about an innovative economic project in Lake County is exciting! In what looks to be the start of bigger things to come, U.S. and British grocers are partnering to bring tech and jobs to a new warehouse in Groveland by 2021. Described as an “advanced robotics customer fulfillment center,” the tech comes from England, and allows for the creation of about 400 “higher wage” jobs that blend robotic efficiencies with human intuition and interaction. The best economic development initiatives create or compliment jobs, not replace them, so this project looks to be a win/win for Central Florida.

Looking ahead: Junior Achievement of Central Florida and Chepenik Financial are partnering for the fifth year to hold the original 4.01K Race for Financial Fitness in Orlando Cultural Park on Saturday, March 30 at 8 a.m. The annual walk/run event brings people and families together for healthy fun as well as to showcase the importance of financial planning. Proceeds benefit Junior Achievement, which supports 50,000 students across Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties each year through programs like work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills, in addition to experiential learning. Come on out to run, learn and/or volunteer!

Last week: Orlando has a strong jazz community. Much of that strength is thanks to Jeff Rupert. Rupert runs the jazz department at UCF and works tirelessly to cultivate a strong jazz community throughout Central Florida. He hosts a monthly show at the Bamboo Center for the Arts, which is always a strong musical experience. Last week, he facilitated the UCF Orlando Jazz Festival. Each year, the festival hosts some of the best jazz musicians from around the world. The festival has passed, but it’s not too late to experience Orlando’s jazz scene. Check out the Timucua House Blue Bamboo for regular jazz programming.

Looking ahead: Mark Baratelli is known for his innovative and interesting cultural events. For years, he has curated and run the Daily City Food Truck Bazaar. Now he has devoted time and energy to building “Orlando Flea.” This market features the best makers and craftspeople from around Central Florida. It’s well worth attending. And the next Bazaar is Sunday, March 31 at Celine Orlando. The multi-level venue is in Downtown Orlando and easily accessible from the nearby parking at The Plaza at Pine and Orange. It runs from noon to 4 p.m. Don’t miss it!

Brendan O’Connor, editor in chief, Bungalower.com

Last week: Bikes are taking over Orlando and I’m not mad about it. But I am a little anxious. Bike share systems are here to stay, scooters are on the horizon too. The newly opened Colonial Pedestrian Bridge just opened up over the weekend along with a new segment of Gertrude’s Walk and it’s tough not to be swept up in some sort of pedal-powered ecstasy but I’ve managed to maintain a portion of cynicism and worry if Orlando drivers are ready for more cyclists on the road and if those cyclists in turn are aware that while fun, they should still pay attention.

Looking ahead: A number of lawsuits that preceded an internal "civil rights audit" by Facebook has resulted in a $5 million settlement to groups that include ACLU, CWA, and NFHA. The lawsuits claimed that Facebook was enabling discrimination in housing, employment, and credit advertising by allowing users to hyper-target their advertisements based on characteristics like race, gender, and age. As a result over 5,000 categories that include targeting ethnicity and religion will be removed from the platform.

Beverly Paulk, founding member, Central Florida Foundation and The Orlando Philharmonic

Last week: Thad Seymour is well qualified to lead the University of Central Florida as interim president for as long as needed. His leadership style is based on a calm, thoughtful, collaborative approach. He has long demonstrated his commitment to service in our community. Thad has led the team for UCF’s new downtown campus, reported so far to be on time and on budget. Thad and Katie, his wife, have provided key leadership to dozens of nonprofits and important community projects as individuals and as a couple. Central Florida is fortunate to include Thad and Katie as they continue to serve.

Last week: GOAA’s legal assault on Orlando Melbourne International Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport for trademark infringement is rather perplexing since trademark infringement requires “likelihood of confusion to the public." Both cities conspicuously identify their names and any traveler can clearly locate Melbourne or Sanford on Google Maps. Nothing confusing about that! A traveler flying to Midway in Chicago or Love Field in Dallas knows they are not the primary airports for those particular cities, but selects them based on travel needs anyway. Not only is GOAA’s action legally misguided, but it flies in the face of the regionalism Central Florida has fostered for over 20 years.

Looking ahead: The acquisition of Fox’s entertainment assets by Disney adds super fuel to a jet powerhouse capable of explosively metabolizing and leveraging content simultaneously through movies, television, theme parks, merchandise, and so much more. Disney’s prior acquisitions of Marvel, Lucasfilm and Pixar paid off handsomely for investors over the past five years. Its current acquisition of Fox, albeit on the high side for $71 billion, is likely to do the same. While Wall Street continues to undervalue Disney with a forward P/E Ratio of 14.96, investors with a long-term view would be best served to consider Disney’s $163.2 billion market cap a bargain.

Last week: Florida is in an affordable housing crisis of its own making. For years lawmakers balanced budgets at the expense of low income people by stealing nearly $2 billion from the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund. They can do the right thing now by passing a renter’s bill of rights and paying back every dime they stole. A report from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition exposes the consequences of Florida’s misdeeds. The state, and especially Central Florida, are the least affordable places in the country for cost-burdened renters. A bill of rights would protect renters from predatory landlords and unlawful evictions. More should be done. But this is a first step to right a terrible wrong.

Ed Schons, president, Florida High Tech Corridor Council

Last week: For those who worry about technology eliminating jobs, news that supermarket giant Kroger will partner with British online grocer Ocado to build a 350,000-square-foot warehouse north of Groveland suggests otherwise. Kroger and Ocado said the “advanced robotics” customer fulfillment center will employ about 400 people in “high-paying” jobs when it opens in 2021 to ship Kroger grocery items in Central Florida. Twenty such facilities are planned nationwide.

Rick Singh, property appraiser, Orange County

Last week: The new bridge across Colonial Drive for bikers and pedestrians opened this week just east of I-4. As downtown Orlando continues to morph into an urban center, the focus on safe transportation without the introduction of more cars will be critical to attract residents and workers. The diagonally-placed bridge also crosses train tracks and will allow bikers and pedestrians safe access to the Lynx and SunRail stations, while avoiding about 40,000 cars per day. In addition, the central location facilitates bike travel to local parks and neighborhoods through the use of existing bike lanes. This is a welcome amenity to downtown living.

Looking ahead: Dead last. That’s where the Orlando Metro area ranks for housing affordability in the entire country. According to the newest Affordable Housing Gap Analysis by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the area offers only 13 affordable and available rentals for every 100 families who need them. Our region will lose its attraction for business and industry if the labor market cannot afford to house itself. Affordable housing is Central Florida’s highest priority, and should be at the center of every conversation about growth and development.

Michael Slaymaker, professional fundraising executive

Last week: As I scroll through photos of the mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, I can’t help but see the eerie comparison to the Pulse shooting in Orlando. The candles, flowers, the number of lives taken. People from all walks of life crying, praying and hugging. I so respect Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the way she is handling this atrocity. She reminds me how proud I am of Mayor Jacobs, Mayor Dyer and Commissioner Sheehan. In New Zealand, semi-automatic, "assault-style" weapons are due to be banned. Gun reforms will be announced within 10 days. Wish our local politicians had that power.

Anthony Suarez, president, Puerto Rican Bar Association of Florida

Last week: THousands of Venezuelan immigrants are in Florida and Central Florida currently. The largest growth group of students in our schools is Venezuelans. it is obvious that the nation is in crisis, but will our nation and Central Florida be accommodating to this humanitarian crisis, or will our law and order neighbors let these legal immigrants who overstay their visas, be treated like criminals? I have been attending meetings, church gatherings and listening to so many horror stories of violence, starvation from this community and I wonder, will the Legislature continue its quest to shut down our communities?

Looking ahead: UCF has made great strides nationally with its football program. Now the basketball program is looking to make its stamp on the nation. Its first appearance in the NCAA men’s tournament in 14 years, followed by the performance in football. will ensure UCF is known around the nation. With all the controversy surrounding the school, this will be welcomed news.

Last week: On the heels of being named the worst region in America for affordable housing, the Florida House thought it would be a good idea to once again take all the money out of the affordable housing fund and spend those dollars elsewhere. Estimated at $352 million, the Sadowski Fund was stripped to $123.6 million for affordable housing. That money will then go to panhandle hurricane relief, meaning the state will spend zero dollars in addressing the most pressing need we have. It makes no sense to continue complaining about the lack of housing and then take the money that was intended to solve that problem.

Last week: The playing field for students attempting to qualify for top-rated colleges and universities just became more uneven with the recent college admissions scandal. And with the continuing erosion of our public school system, the education opportunities for the general student population remains increasingly challenging and often unattainable. More unfortunate perhaps is the lesson we are teaching our students that it is okay to bribe, cheat and lie to gain access to their preferred college or to request false accommodations when taking the SAT and ACT tests in order to gain an advantage over less affluent students. Time to turn those negative lessons into a positive for ALL students.

Looking ahead: Tragically, rates of death by suicide in the U.S. have increased by more than 25 percent in the past 20 years, according to the CDC. AdventHealth is collaborating with the University of Central Florida to address this alarming epidemic. Our goal is to track patients who come into our ER with suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and provide intensive support services after they’re discharged. I’d like to thank UCF’s team for working with us to assess the effectiveness of this approach, as we work to learn how best to support distressed patients and bring them back to health — and most importantly, apply our learnings far and wide.

Jen Vargas, Jen Vargas, producer/host, FilmSlam at Enzian Theater

Last week: The 180+ films of this year’s Florida Film Festival were announced this week. Great news! Todd Thompson, a Florida filmmaker, will debut his feature-length documentary, "Woman in Motion," and on opening night no less! This is big news because, historically, Florida made films are rarely seen during this 10-day event. Being an Oscar qualifying festival in three film categories (Documentary, Animated and Live Action shorts), Florida Film Fest is a very popular Oscar stop among filmmakers. Thompson is a longtime alum and past winner of FilmSlam and no stranger to Florida Film Fest, which begins April 12.

Looking ahead: Studio Movie Grill at Sunset Walk opens to the public on March 28! Located at Margaritaville Resort Orlando, this 12-screen, luxury dine-in theater has over 1,000 leather recliners, a full bar, chef inspired menu, and hand-crafted cocktails, all of which may be delivered right to your seat. Residents of Tampa and Seminole are already familiar with this brand which will be a first for us here in Central Florida and a slick addition to the unique dining, shopping, and resort options at Margaritaville’s outdoor Sunset Walk complex. Welcome to Orlando, Studio Movie Grill!

Carol Wick, principal, Convergent Nonprofit Solutions

Last week: The Kesse family won the right to have a private investigator examine all the files from the Orlando Police department regarding the disappearance of their daughter Jennifer. She has been missing since 2006 but her family has not given up hope that she may one day be found or at least, that they would have closure. While this is controversial on many sides, this long-standing mystery haunts us all here in Central Florida and we hope the Kesse’s can at least find some answers to what happened to their daughter all those years ago.

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This Discounted Coffee Maker Brews Fast and Looks Great

Wilfa coffee makers are quick to brew. They heat with precision. And they come with a few smart, convenient features, like a detachable water reservoir (something that should be standard in every coffee maker). They’re also gorgeous.

Released in 2017, the WSP-1A owns both a Red Dot Design Award and iF World Design Guide award. Today, the brewer is marked down to $140 on Ebay — the lowest price we’ve seen for this model and a far cry from the $400 retail price it launched with a couple of years back.

Deals, discounts and drops on products you actually care about and want. Curated by the Gear Patrol Editors.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

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Another storm on the way for eastern Massachusetts

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The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for eastern Massachusetts for Sunday night and Monday morning.

Five to seven inches of snow is expected, beginning around 7 p.m. Sunday and continuing until 10 a.m. Monday.

Driving will be difficult, especially during the morning commute.

Cape Cod is likely to see a little less snow, but winds will gust to 35 mph.

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SEE HOW MUCH SNOW YOU’RE LIKELY TO GET

Current conditions at the Blue Hill Observatory in Milton, updated every 10 minutes)

CHECK YOUR ADDRESS

Posted Mar 1 at 9:00 AM From flaky crust to flavor-packed fillings, read on for the Southern Kitchen guide to perfect pies Posted Feb 28 at 9:00 AM Updated Feb 27 at 2:19 PM

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Sales of Tampa Bay homes plunge in December

This home in Tampa’s gated Avila community sold in December for $2.7 million, making it Hillsborough County’s priciest sale of the month. [Courtesy of Susan Carnes/ Fast-Pix]

Sales of single family-homes in the Tampa Bay area plunged in December as prices again rose.

In one good sign for buyers, though, the supply of available homes continued to inch up, with Pinellas County having its largest supply in at least three years.

The bay area market reflected those statewide and nationally, both of which saw a slump in sales as the year ended. The December numbers are partly a result of higher interest rates during much of 2018.

“The housing market is obviously very sensitive to mortgage rates,” Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, said Tuesday. "Softer sales in December reflected … contract signing activity in previous months when mortgage rates were higher than today. Now, with mortgage rates lower, some revival in home sales is expected going into spring.”

Eric Sain, president of Florida Realtors, also saw a silver lining in December’s figures.

"Florida’s housing sector is continuing to show signs that inventory levels are finally easing in many local markets after being constrained for a long time,” he said. "Improving inventory and interest rates that, though rising remain historically low, offer a good opportunity for homebuyers who have been waiting on the sidelines.”

Pasco had the biggest drop in year-over-year sales, plunging 13.7 percent as the median price rose a scant 2.3 percent to $220,000. Other figures released today by Florida Realtors:

Hillsborough: Sales down 12.8 percent, prices up 5.8 percent to $249,900.

Pinellas: Sales down 8.6 percent, prices up 4.2 percent to $249,900.

Hernando: Sales up 4.8 percent, prices up 6 percent to $174,900

For the second consecutive month, Pinellas had a three-month supply of homes. That was the most since December 2015, the furthest back that records go. Inventory in Hernando was also at three months while Pasco and Hillsborough had less. A five-month supply is considered a "balanced” market that favors neither buyers nor sellers.

The top price paid for a Tampa Bay home in December was $6.399 million for a three-bedroom, three-bath house with 100 feet of white sandy beach in Redington Beach. The price was also the third highest for any home sold in the bay area last year.

In Tampa’s gated Avila community, a six-bedroom, six-bath brick house went for $2.7 million in Hillsborough’s most expensive sale of the month. The home, on the seventh green of Avila’s golf course, was built in 1987 but renovated since then.

"It has the most beautiful view in Avila, overlooking both the golf course and the lake,” said Dianne Martin, the listing agent. Unlike previous years, though, neither it nor any other house in Avila made the Tampa Bay Times list of the 25 most expensive homes sold in 2018.

"Older ones suffer a bit if they haven’t been renovated,” Martin said. "Prices for updated ones are inching up though not like in South Tampa.”

In Pasco’s New Port Richey, a buyer paid $1.05 million for a six-bedroom, five-bath waterfront estate on two lots. And in Hernando, December’s priciest sale was $490,00 for a lakefront home in Brooksville.

Statewide, sales of single-family homes plunged almost 10 percent. Prices rose 4.2 percent to a median of $255,000.

Nationally, sales of existing homes — condos and townhomes as well as houses — dropped 10.3 percent after two consecutive months of increases. Prices rose almost 3 percent to $253,600, the 82nd straight month of year-over-year gains.

Contact Susan Taylor Martin at smartin@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8642. Follow @susanskate.

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Finding The Best Tampa Apartments For Rent

If you’re looking for an apartment in the Tampa area, you’re not going to want to sign a lease for just any place. You’re going to want to focus on finding some of the best Tampa apartments for rent. How can you identify your top options? These are some of the many things you’re going to want to look for.

Seek Out Tools That Will Help You To Find New Apartment Listings

You’re not the only person in Tampa that is looking for an apartment. When new apartment listings go up, there are a lot of people that are going to be looking at them. You’ll want to make sure you see the latest listings right away.

If there’s a beautiful new apartment being rented out for a low price, you’re going to want to make sure you can grab it before anyone else has the chance to. If you find websites or apps that make it easy for you to see new apartment listings, you’ll be able to discover listings that appeal to you.

Check To See How Affordable Apartments Actually Are

When you’re renting a new place, you’ll want to make sure that you can cover your expenses without any issues. You shouldn’t just look at what you’ll be paying in rent. You should also make sure you’re aware of other expenses, such as the cost of utilities.

It will be much easier for you to budget if you’re fully aware of all of your expenses. Look at all of the costs you’ll be covering and keep that in mind when you’re deciding what to do next.

Look For An Apartment That’s Well Managed

When you rent, you’re not the one responsible for repairs. Your landlord is the one that will have to address these kinds of issues. Because of this, finding a place that’s properly managed is key.

Thankfully, it shouldn’t be too hard for you to find an apartment that is well-managed. Spend some time researching landlords and property management companies in the Tampa area. If people have had issues with their landlords, you should find out who they’ve been renting from.

Inspect Apartments Before You Rent Them

You wouldn’t buy a car without giving it a test drive first. While you can’t live in an apartment before you sign a lease, you can make sure you look closely at the property. You should try to learn as much as you can about the apartment during your walkthrough.

It’s important to make sure that the apartment is in good working order. Open cabinets and closets. Turn on faucets. Check appliances. The more you know about the apartment you’re examining, the easier it will be for you to make an informed decision about renting.

Focus on finding the best Tampa apartments for rent. Look at a lot of different properties and see what you are able to find. Stick to the tips above so that you can find the kinds of apartments that you’ll be pleased with.

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La Segunda wants to bring ‘a lot of Ybor’ to South Tampa with new cafe – Tampa Bay Business Journal

La Segunda Bakery is bringing Ybor City to South Tampa this summer — its signature Cuban bread and guava flips, of course, but also the iconic bricks, wrought iron and globe lights that define the historic neighborhood where the bakery was founded in 1915 and still makes 18,000 loaves a day.

The bakery’s second location in 103 years will be in a strip center fronting Kennedy Boulevard, a completely renovated retail property that also landed the city’s first Metro Diner.

"We’re planning to bring a lot of Ybor to South Tampa," said Copeland More, who co-owns the bakery with father, Tony More. "We call it Ybor food. A lot of people think it’s Cuban food, but it’s distinctly Italian, Spanish and Cuban dishes."

It’s been just under a year since the location was announced, but the younger More, 38, has been toying with the idea of an expansion for at least five or six years. The South Tampa site was available as La Segunda was wrapping up a rebranding effort, and at the same time, More felt confident enough in the bakery’s culture and process to pursue a second store. They plan to open in mid- to late July.

The expansion coincides with a time when Tampa is embracing both its urban neighborhoods and local food scene, setting the La Segunda expansion up for success. If the South Tampa location takes off, Copeland More says, he’d like to do more, though he has no set number in mind. The total investment in the South Tampa spot is $800,000, which includes construction and equipment costs for the 3,082-square-foot space.

"We could stay in Ybor and just keep doing what we’re doing, but I felt it was an opportunity and a good business decision to take the brand elsewhere," he said. "A lot of the trends now are centered on local [foods], so it was beneficial timing."

• • •

The elder More, 75, has his retirement date already set: Jan. 1, 2019. He and his son are 50/50 partners; come 2019, he’ll still be involved, but not to the degree he is now. (On Tuesday morning, he received two text messages before he got out of bed, alerting him that the power had gone out at the Ybor bakery.)

Post retirement, he imagines most of his involvement will be on training new bakers and literally keeping his hands in the business. He has a doctorate in chemistry from Florida State University and has long been drawn to the scientific side of baking.

"Pastry baking is very precise," he said. "If you weigh and measure, it always comes out right."

• • •

Copeland More didn’t start his career in the bakery business. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and was college roommates with Andrew Wright, who went on to launch commercial real estate firm Franklin Street in Tampa.

More was on Wright’s capital markets team until the mid-2000s. The market crashed, and fortuitously, his father’s business partner approached him about buying out his share. The timing seemed perfect to return to the family business.

As the fourth generation to run La Segunda — but the first to pursue a second location — More sought advice from restaurateurs outside of his family. Chris Sullivan, the co-founder of Outback Steakhouse, is a family friend; More grew up with his son, Alex Sullivan, a partner in Carmel Cafe in South Tampa, and Chris Sullivan coached their Little League team.

More had picked out a second location for La Segunda, closer to the Westshore business district, which is the market he hopes to tap into. Chris Sullivan immediately told him it was a bad idea.

He admits he couldn’t ask for a better mentor; Sullivan is a legend in the industry and is in the process of building another behemoth: Metro Diner, which will be La Segunda’s neighbor in South Tampa.

"He was like ‘Absolutely not.’ It was about the ingress and egress," More said. "And that’s really what he was known for at Outback, his real estate knowledge. And I thought, I’m not going to argue with him.’"

Asked if Sullivan brought the same sharp focus to Little League that he does to his business ventures, More laughed.

"I won’t even go into some of the stories," he said, chuckling. "We still laugh about it — he was so intense, and we were 12."

Sullivan was not immediately available for comment on Tuesday.

• • •

If any industry needs Sullivan’s level of intensity, it’s the restaurant business, where competition is as fierce as it’s ever been. Copeland More acknowledges this, and the South Tampa La Segunda will be built around an experience. The oven and pastry tables are on display, giving the restaurant a theatrical feel.

It’s also based on what the Mores see happening in Ybor: When employees go to the back to retrieve loaves of Cuban bread, they frequently see customers peering at the door, trying to get a glimpse of what’s going on.

"We really wanted to bring that kind of experience to the front of the house," Copeland More says. "There’s a lot of restaurants in this market, and we have to be different to be competitive."

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Campus First Increases Its Florida Presence Through the Acquisition of Campus Club North and South Student Housing Properties in Tampa, FL

TAMPA, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 22, 2018–Campus First Student Living, a division of CF Real Estate Services LLC, announces the acquisition of Campus Club North and South, a 612-bed purpose built student apartment community. The property is located less than 1 mile from the University of South Florida (“USF”), situated in a premier district of Tampa, FL. Campus First announced a name change for the property and it will now be known as University LinQ North and South.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://ift.tt/2sl1WYO

University LinQ is the newest addition to the Campus First Student Living portfolio in Tampa, FL (Photo: Business Wire)

“The addition of University LinQ to our Campus First portfolio establishes our entry into the Tampa student housing market, where USF has experienced substantial enrollment growth. While we will continue to build upon our portfolio here, we are seeing similar demand drivers in select Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets across the Eastern Seaboard and throughout Florida and Texas,” states CF Real Estate Services CEO, Brett Finkelstein.

University LinQ is a purpose built, student housing property that offers 3-Bedroom/3-Bath and 4-Bedroom/4 Bath apartments. University LinQ was constructed in 2005. This well-located, off campus student housing asset has a total of 156 units with 612 beds. University LinQ has an amenity package that includes 2 clubhouses that feature fitness centers, study lounges, game rooms, and tanning. Outdoor amenities include 2 pools and carports.

The community will undergo renovations which will include additional state-of-the-art fitness equipment, an extended fitness center, the addition of private study areas, a completely renovated leasing office and clubhouse, a dog park, outdoor kitchen, renovated breezeways, and enhanced curb appeal with new exterior painting and landscaping improvements. Future unit enhancements are being planned and will be released next year.

Campus First is a boutique style acquisition/development and property management firm that focuses on student housing. Campus First is a division of parent company, CF Real Estate Services, headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Campus First currently owns or manages more than 6,000 student beds, while CF Real Estate Services currently owns or manages 25,000 market rate units throughout the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Central, and Midwest regions of the United States.

“Campus First has an advantage in this property sector; our cost basis, paired with our knowledge and ability to scale in the market, will allow us to provide quality renovations and improvements while still remaining competitive amongst other providers,” stated Christopher Feeley, President of Campus First.

To learn more about Campus First Student Living, please visit www.campus1st.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:https://ift.tt/2sl1WYO

CONTACT: CF Real Estate Services LLC

Ryan Perez, 404-459-6242

+4 +5

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA FLORIDA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EDUCATION UNIVERSITY CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE

SOURCE: CF Real Estate Services LLC

Copyright Business Wire 2018.

PUB: 05/22/2018 08:00 AM/DISC: 05/22/2018 08:01 AM

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Osceola commissioners budget $1M incentive fund for affordable housing

Because of Osceola County’s lack of affordable housing, Genette Marrero is forced to return to Puerto Rico. (Stephanie Bechara, staff)

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Affordable housing remains a top priority across Central Florida, especially with the influx of Puerto Ricans after Hurricane Maria.

A new incentive program approved in Osceola County could help people find a place to live within their means.

After Hurricane Maria, Genette Marrero came here from Puerto Rico with empty hands.

“I lost everything. (I) lost my bed, lost my furniture, my TV … Absolutely everything,” she said.

During Marrero’s time in Osceola County, she has stayed at a number of hotels and even some time in her sister’s home.

“Everything is thousands of dollars. Prices don’t go down,” she explained.

That’s why Marrero packed up her bags and is going back to the island.

In tears she said, “It pains me that I have to go.”

Due to the lack of affordable housing, Osceola County is budgeting $1 million for an incentive fund. It’s a program in which developers can apply and receive help towards purchasing land and mobility fees.

County Commissioner Cheryl Grieb with the consent of the commission asked the County Manager to bring forward a comprehensive package.

“This is a way again to incentivize anyone who does affordable housing projects to get in touch with the county,” she said. “And say ‘hey how can we be involved with this? How can we get a hold? How do we make an application?’ And hopefully they either have land or aware of some property, especially on the western side … That will be the priority.”

When it comes to housing, these developers have to follow the Housing and Urban Development guidelines, meaning the rentals cannot exceed 30 percent of the family’s income monthly.

While Marrero will miss Florida, for the sake of others she said she hopes “what they say about this program comes true.”

For more information on the affordable housing incentive fund, click here.

Developers interested should call County Human Services at 407-742-1200.

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Goodwill buys its suburban Tampa real estate for almost $17 million – Tampa Bay Business Journal

Goodwill-Industries Suncoast Inc. now owns the suburban Tampa real estate where it recently opened its 20th retail location and a new distribution center.

Goodwill paid $16.86 million for the property at 1407 S. U.S. Hwy 301 in a deal that closed May 8, according to a Hillsborough County deed filed Friday.

The seller of the property was Project Harvest of Tampa Florida LLC.

The property is home to a 12,000-square-foot retail store, the first Goodwill has opened in Hillsborough County since 2002, Goodwill said when announcing its hiring push for the location. Together, the store and distribution center were expected to create 35 jobs.

The store opened on April 28 and includes a drive-thru donation lane.

A 200,000-square-foot distribution center is also housed at this location; Goodwill moved its logistics and transportation operations to this site from Gandy Boulevard in St. Petersburg.

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Additional Information About 4704 Serena Dr, Tampa, FL 33617

4704 Serena Dr, Tampa, FL 33617 4704 Serena Dr, Tampa, FL 33617

2 Full Bathroom(s) Bathrooms Total Interger: 2 Lot Size Square Feet: 7000

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2018 NFL Draft recap

Auburn CB Carlton Davis was the third of three second-round picks for Tampa Bay on Friday night. Secondary depth was addressed with the additions of M.J. Stewart (UNC) and Jordan Whitehead (Pitt) as well. (AP PHOTO)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers believe they accomplished their major goals of upgrading the defensive line and a porous secondary through the draft after going 5-11 and missing the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season.

The Buccaneers added more defensive pieces Saturday, taking Pitt safety Jordan Whitehead in the fourth round and Wisconsin linebacker Jack Cichy during the sixth.

"Thirty-one teams passed up (taking me) so I’ve got a chip on my shoulder coming in already," Whitehead said.

Cichy didn’t play in 2017 because of a knee injury that occurred in preseason camp.

"I feel great," he said. "I’m real close to 100 percent. I think by the time I get down there for minicamp and OTAs I’ll be 100 percent."

Tampa Bay used its first-round pick Thursday to take Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea 12th overall. He will be plugged into a revamped defensive line anchored by six-time Pro Bowl tackle Gerald McCoy and bolstered by last month’s trade for pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul and the signing of Beau Allen, Vinny Curry and Mitch Unrein in free agency.

Tampa Bay ranked last in the NFL with 23 sacks a year ago.

The Buccaneers used a pair of second-round selections Friday to take cornerbacks M.J. Stewart from North Carolina and Auburn’s Carlton Davis.

"We feel great," Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht said. "There’s more of a better vibe, not that it was ever bad, more high-fives and more positive energy with all the coaches and scouts this year than I can remember."

LEARNING CURVE

Bucs coach Dirk Koetter knows that 6-foot-6, 304-pound guard Alex Cappa, taken in the third round from Division II Humboldt State, will be facing a major step-up in competition. "That’s a different level of football," Koetter said. "Right when his season was over, he goes down to Phoenix and works out at an O-line place with a bunch of NFL guys. He’s the right kind of guy but there’s definitely a transition."

Tampa Bay has had previous drafting success with small-school offensive lineman, taking starting guard Ali Marpet from Division III Hobart College in the second round of the 2015 draft.

FAMILY AFFAIR

Former Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis is Whitehead’s cousin.

"He gave me a lot of advice going through this process," Whitehead said. "Stay humble, anything can happen throughout this weekend."

FASTER THAN YOU MIGHT THINK

Second-round selection Ronald Jones II from USC is an explosive runner who the Buccaneers feel is faster than generally known.

"He’s got track times, the ran guy 10.3-something 100-meters and multiple 10.5’s," Koetter said. "He runs hard. He’s going to bring something."

HIGH GRADES

The Buccaneers took Penn wide receiver Justin Watson in the fifth round. He will graduate after taking his last final Wednesday at Penn’s Wharton School.

"I didn’t have a lot of I-A offers, in fact the only two offers I had at the I-A level were Buffalo and Akron out of the MAC," Watson said. "For me, Penn was just the best fit for both football and academics."

STILL NEED

Tampa Bay could look to add depth at safety and the offensive line before the start of training camp.

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Colliers’ Student Housing team adds industry veteran

Tampa, Fla. (April 20, 2018) –Colliers International’s Tampa-based Student Housing Group has added industry expert Jamie Swick to the team as Senior Associate of Student Housing Investments. Swick has worked in the student housing arena for over 18 years, and brings significant experience in representing buyers and sellers of student housing properties nationwide.

Swick has substantial experience in every facet of student housing – from operations and leasing to underwriting and acquisitions. Her career started in on-the-ground operations as a leasing agent with Collier Companies in Gainesville, and she quickly moved her way up to VP of acquisitions, and assisted the company in acquisitions and dispositions totaling more than $500 million and representing more than 5,000 beds.

For the past six years, Swick served as principal of her own Florida-based firm, 5 Element Advisors, which offers consulting services for private off-campus multifamily student housing, as well as intensive market research for various universities.

Her specializations include acquisition and disposition advisory services, asset repositioning, highly specialized market reports, due diligence services, capital expenditure assistance, market analysis, operational efficiency and maximization of net operating income. She is particularly proficient in negotiating sales contracts, joint venture agreements for both private and public partners, loan documents and other financing structures including 1031 exchanges, HUD debt, and CMBS debt.

"Jamie’s significant experience will further strengthen our student housing capabilities," said Ryan Kratz, President of Colliers International Florida. "Her deep understanding of the operational and financial aspects of student housing will be a valuable asset to the team, along with her knowledge and contacts around the country with universities, buyers and sellers."

Swick will partner with Dorothy Jackman, Executive Managing Director, and Sean Baird, Director, of Colliers’ Student Housing Group, which is based in Tampa and works with buyers and sellers of student housing properties nationwide.

Swick earned her Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Florida.

ABOUT COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC.

Colliers International Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CIGI) (TSX: CIGI) is an industry-leading real estate services company with a global brand operating in 69 countries and a workforce of more than 12,000 skilled professionals serving clients in the world’s most important markets. Colliers is the fastest-growing publicly listed global real estate services company, with 2017 corporate revenues of $2.3 billion ($2.7 billion including affiliates). With an enterprising culture and significant employee ownership and control, Colliers professionals provide a full range of services to real estate occupiers, owners and investors worldwide. Services include strategic advice and execution for property sales, leasing and finance; global corporate solutions; property, facility and project management; workplace solutions; appraisal, valuation and tax consulting; customized research; and thought leadership consulting.

Colliers professionals think differently, share great ideas and offer thoughtful and innovative advice that help clients accelerate their success. Colliers has been ranked among the top 100 global outsourcing firms by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals for 13 consecutive years, more than any other real estate services firm. Colliers has also been ranked the number one property manager in the world by Commercial Property Executive for two years in a row.

For the latest news from Colliers, visit Colliers.com or follow us on Twitter: @Colliers and LinkedIn.

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Devils to open Round 1 of Stanley Cup Playoffs tonight in Tampa

TAMPA, FL – The time has arrived.

The New Jersey Devils are prepared and ready, as they are set to face-off in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs opening round on Thursday in Tampa.

The Devils have worked for this moment all season long and are relishing in the opportunity to upset the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"There’s excitement and a strong focus level," Hynes said. "It doesn’t seem like there’s anything out of the ordinary for us. We feel like we have certainly prepared really well throughout the regular season, we’ve had some good prep-practices and prep-days. We’re ready to play. Time to get Game One going here."

"As a group, we have to focus on what has made us successful all season long," Taylor Hall said. "And as individuals, what’s made you so successful all-season long. You try and let your talent show through, and as a group we’ve done that all season."

There will be many players making their post-season debuts on the Devils roster. Not only will rookies such as Nico Hischier, Will Butcher and Blake Coleman get their first taste of postseason hockey, but eight-year NHL veteran Taylor Hall will also take part in his first-career playoff game.

"It’s more just a team feeling for me," Hall said when asked about how emotions heading into Game 1. "We’ve had a really solid season so far, I’m not really thinking of it as ‘my first playoff game’, I’m thinking of it as ‘our first playoff game as a group’ and what we can accomplish here."

udpated title

Coach John Hynes will go with a lineup that has had proven success down the stretch. Hynes will stick with the same group that went 7-0-1 in the final eight regular season games, holding off the Florida Panthers and clinching a playoff berth.

That also means the opportunity will be given to Keith Kinkaid to take the reign’s in net as the Devils number one goaltender.

"It’s everyone’s dream," Kinkaid said. "Fortunately, I had a good run at the end of the season. We had a great run and I just want to keep that momentum going into tonight."

The Devils lineup will look as follows:

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri Coleman-Zajac-Noesen Wood-Zacha-Maroon Grabner-Boyle-Gibbons

Greene-Vatanen Moore-Mueller Butcher-Lovejoy

Kinkaid

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Spring Training Delivers Economic Home Run To South Florida

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The massive new spring training baseball complex in West Palm Beach has been an economic home run for South Florida residents who have sought to make extra cash by renting out their condos and homes to baseball-loving fans from Houston and Washington, D.C. Online rental website Airbnb reports an 82 percent spike in visitors during spring training compared to the previous five-week stretch. That translated into $595,000 in rental income.

Since the complex is home to the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals it is not surprising that the Nationals’ home base of Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia accounted for most of the visitors, according to Airbnb statistics. Texas fans accounted for the next greatest block.

"Baseball-related tourism represents a foundational component of the local economies for these cities," said Tom Martinelli of Airbnb Florida. "By expanding lodging capacity for regions with limited hotel inventory, Airbnb hosts helped welcome more families and baseball fans to their cities while serving as ambassadors for their local communities."

The Airbnb figures reflect rentals between Feb. 21 to March 27. Overall, Florida’s Grapefruit League brought 15 MLB teams to 12 Florida cities, primarily in Central and Southwest Florida. All cities saw a significant spikes in Airbnb guest arrivals during preseason baseball.

Mid-sized cities such as Jupiter saw a 133 percent spike in Airbnb rentals. Lakeland had a 140 percent spike, while Port St. Lucie had a 111 percent spike. Dunedin had a 129 percent spike and Port Charlotte had a 157 percent increase during spring training.

Larger vacation rental markets such as Sarasota saw a 100 percent spike while Fort Myers had a 112 percent spike. Clearwater had a 128 percent spike. Bradenton had an 88 increase and Tampa had a 92 percent increase thanks to the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees.

In all but two of the Florida cities, residents of the team’s home state accounted for the largest supply of Airbnb guests. In West Palm Beach, Airbnb reported a total of 9,100 guests during spring training.

Here are other findings from Airbnb related to Florida cities:

TAMPA Home to New York Yankees

During Spring Training:

Airbnb Guests: 23,000 guest arrivals Guest Origin: New York was #1 origin state to Tampa Overall Spike: 92% spike in guests compared to previous 5 week stretch Host Income: Tampa hosts earned $906,000 during Spring Training Value of Expanded Lodging Capacity as Hotels Reach Peak Capacity: Most recent data from Visit Tampa Bay indicates that Tampa hotels are achieving record revenues and occupancy rates, in parallel to Airbnb’s growth Example of Review for Tampa Host During Spring Training:

CLEARWATER Home to Philadelphia Phillies

During Spring Training:

Airbnb Guests: 8,000 guest arrivals Overall Spike: 128% spike in guests compared to previous 5 week stretch Guest Origin: Pennsylvania was #1 origin state to Clearwater Host Income: Clearwater hosts earned $654,000 during Spring Training Value of Expanded Lodging Capacity as Hotels Reach Peak Capacity: Most recent data from St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Visitor & Convention Bureau indicates that Pinellas hotel occupancy and revenue continue to rise, in parallel to Airbnb’s growth Example of Review for Clearwater Host During Spring Training:

BRADENTON Home to Pittsburgh Pirates

During Spring Training:

Airbnb Guests: 3,200 guest arrivals Overall Spike: 88% spike in guests compared to previous 5 week stretch Guest Origin: Pennsylvania was #1 origin state to Bradenton Host Income: Bradenton hosts earned $196,000 during Spring Training Value of Expanded Lodging Capacity as Hotels Reach Peak Capacity: Manatee County hotels are reported to reach 95% occupancy during the tourism high season Example of Review for Bradenton Host During Spring Training:

LAKELAND Home to Detroit Tigers

During Spring Training:

Airbnb Guests: 1,200 guest arrivals Overall Spike: 140% spike in guests compared to previous 5 week stretch Guest Origin: Michigan was #1 origin state to Lakeland Host Income: Lakeland hosts earned $55,000 during Spring Training Value of Expanded Lodging Capacity as Hotels Reach Peak Capacity: Most recent data from Visit Central Florida indicates that Tampa hotels are achieving record growth, in parallel to Airbnb’s growth Example of Review for Lakeland Host During Spring Training:

SARASOTA Home to Baltimore Orioles

During Spring Training:

Airbnb Guests: 12,000 guest arrivals Overall Spike: 100% spike in guests compared to previous 5 week stretch Guest Origin: Maryland was #5 origin state to Sarasota Host Income: Sarasota hosts earned $1.1 million during Spring Training Value of Expanded Lodging Capacity as Hotels Reach Peak Capacity: Sarasota County hotels are reported to reach 95% occupancy during the tourism high season Example of Review for Sarasota Host During Spring Training:

DUNEDIN Home to Toronto Blue Jays

During Spring Training:

Airbnb Guests: 1,600 guest arrivals Overall Spike: 129% spike in guests compared to previous 5 week stretch Guest Origin: Ontario was #1 origin state/province (American or Canadian) to Dunedin Host Income: Dunedin hosts earned $125,000 during Spring Training Value of Expanded Lodging Capacity as Hotels Reach Peak Capacity: Most recent data from St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Visitor & Convention Bureau indicates that Pinellas hotel occupancy and revenue continue to rise, in parallel to Airbnb’s growth Example of Review for Dunedin Host During Spring Training:

FORT MYERS Home to Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins

During Spring Training:

Airbnb Guests: 5,500 guest arrivals Overall Spike: 112% spike in guests compared to previous 5 week stretch Guest Origin: Minnesota was #1 origin state to Fort Myers, Massachusetts was #2 origin state Host Income: Fort Myers hosts earned $306,000 during Spring Training Value of Expanded Lodging Capacity as Hotels Reach Peak Capacity: Most recent data from Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau indicates that Fort Myers hotel occupancy and revenue continue to rise, in parallel to Airbnb’s growth Example of Review for Fort Myers Host During Spring Training:

PORT CHARLOTTE Home to Tampa Rays

During Spring Training:

Airbnb Guests: 900 guest arrivals Overall Spike: 157% spike in guests compared to previous 5 week stretch Guest Origin: Florida was #1 origin state to Port Charlotte Host Income: Port Charlotte hosts earned $63,000 during Spring Training Value of Expanded Lodging Capacity as Hotels Reach Peak Capacity: Most recent data from the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau indicates continually strong year-over-year hotel growth growth within Charlotte County Includes an ongoing boom in hotel construction in the region. Example of Review for Port Charlotte Host During Spring Training:

JUPITER Home to Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals

During Spring Training:

Airbnb Guests: 1,400 guest arrivals Overall Spike: 133% spike in guests compared to previous 5 week stretch Guest Origin: Missouri was #1 origin state to Jupiter, Florida was #2 origin state Host Income: Jupiter hosts earned $132,000 during Spring Training Value of Expanded Lodging Capacity as Hotels Reach Peak Capacity: Example of Review for Jupiter Host During Spring Training:

PORT ST. LUCIE Home to New York Mets

During Spring Training:

Airbnb Guests: 1,900 guest arrivals Overall Spike: 111% spike in guests compared to previous 5 week stretch Guest Origin: New York was #1 origin state to Port St. Lucie Host Income: Port St. Lucie hosts earned $106,000 during Spring Training Value of Expanded Lodging Capacity as Hotels Reach Peak Capacity: Example of Review for Port St. Lucie Host During Spring Training:

Kissimmee, which is home to the Atlanta Braves for spring training was not included in the statistics, according to Airbnb. The temporary housing website said that Kissimmee represents its third largest Florida market and was too large to discern the influences for any spikes.

Jake Marisnick #6 of the Houston Astros dives back to first base safe ahead of the tag by Clint Robinson #25 of the Washington Nationals in the third inning during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 28, 2017. Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images.

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[ansyr1]

Israeli PM discharged from hospital with minor infection

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he was discharged from a hospital after a brief stay for an infection.

It said Wednesday morning that a series of tests showed the 68-year-old was suffering from a "minor viral infection of his upper respiratory tract." It said his doctors had recommended rest and prescribed medication.

Netanyahu’s doctors admitted him late Tuesday with a high temperature and a cough. He had suffered a throat infection about two weeks ago.

Netanyahu has been battling a slew of corruption allegations in recent months, and police have recommended he be indicted on charges related to two cases. He has denied any wrongdoing.

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