GO VOTE: Saturday, October 14th
Louisiana has an important election coming up this Saturday, October 14th. Sadly, the majority of our state’s residents either aren’t aware of it, or simply don’t plan to show up. The Louisiana Secretary of State has predicted that only 12-15% of voters will turn out to the polls this weekend.
There are many vital leadership positions on the ballot, including Louisiana State Treasurer, legislators, and public service commissioner. There will also be several amendments and millage renewals, as well as local government posts such as New Orleans Mayor and City Council up for voting. These are all critical items that will significantly affect our local communities and state as a whole.
As a business leader in the commercial real estate industry (and a Louisiana resident), one noteworthy item is the importance of voting YES on Constitutional Amendment #1—(Act 428-SB14) exemption of property taxes for construction sites. A vote of YES is a vote AGAINST more taxes.
Constitutional Amendment #1 would prohibit the assessment of property taxes on any project while it is under construction. Prohibiting the property tax assessment on “Construction Work In Progress” or CWIP as it is commonly referred to, has been the practice for generations in Louisiana. But, new threats to levy these taxes have arisen, and protection in the Constitution is needed. Voting YES will maintain the existing tax law that says you can’t assess a property—home or business—until the project is complete.
This amendment is supported by many businesses, community leaders and Louisiana editorial boards. The statewide police jury association, home builders, the municipal association, business groups, the sheriff’s association, contractors and economic development leaders have all joined the Governor and a bipartisan list of legislators supporting its passage.
Furthermore, the passage of this amendment will not take revenue away from our local governments and municipalities because it is not assessed now. The amendment simply closes a perceived loophole that will allow the chance for increased property taxes in the future.
It’s important to note that this amendment will affect all of us. Homeowners, businesses, even future economic development and employment opportunities for our area will be impacted. Many Louisiana residents are already dealing with increased flood insurance rates, we certainly don’t need an increase in property taxes or higher mortgages as well.
Personally, I think that alone is a pretty important reason to show up to the polls on Saturday. With so much divisiveness and frustration in our state and government, voting is the one sure way to let our elected officials know what we want.
I strongly encourage everyone to please take a few minutes out of your day on Saturday, October 14th to get out and vote—especially YES to Constitutional Amendment #1. Share this information with your co-workers, friends and family. Post it to your social media accounts—anything to help get the word out. Let your voice be heard.
To see a sample of what will be included on your local ballot, visit www.geauxvote.com.
See you at the polls.
Golf Fore! Good 2017
Local charities score during Stirling Properties’ Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament
Stirling Properties hosted its 17th Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament on Monday, October 9th at University Club Plantation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 114 golfers participated in the scramble event and were treated to a great day of food, fun and fellowship—along with a little friendly competition—all for a good cause.
Congratulations to the 1st Place Low Net winners, Jerry Berggren, Keith Bischoff, Jared Giovingo and Steve Lousteau. The Low Gross winning team included Rick Perry, Scott Brame, Sr., Scott Brame and Jimmy Maurin. The Longest Drive award went to Blake Bailey, and Closest to the Pin prizes were presented to Keith Rotolo, David Wascom and Kasey Dorr. Additional awards were given for 2nd, 3rd and 4th Low Gross and Low Net as well as Highest Gross Score (you know who you are).
Grady Brame, Stirling Properties Executive Vice President, and Todd Stevens, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center President and CEO
But the real winners were the local nonprofit organizations that benefited from the proceeds. This year’s tournament successfully raised more than $25,000 for local charities! In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation received $10,000 from the proceeds. The remaining profits were distributed to various local charitable causes.
Representatives from Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation were on hand to receive a check for their contributions. Grady Brame, Executive Vice President with Stirling Properties, presented a check to Todd Stevens, President and CEO of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center during an awards celebration and cocktail reception following the tournament. Rick Perry, President and CEO of Tiger Athletic Foundation, was also presented with a $1,000 check in honor of the LSU Golf Team.
“Despite a challenging weekend due to Hurricane Nate threatening the Gulf Coast, the 17th Annual Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament proceeded as planned and was a huge success,” said Brame. “We were once again able to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations that are doing such great work right here in our communities. We are grateful for the generosity of our tournament sponsors and thank everyone who came out to support us. See you next year!”
The Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament has contributed more than $214,000 to numerous organizations over the past 17 years, with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Foundation being the majority beneficiary of proceeds. Since 2004, $127,000 has been donated to the center in support of its cancer research and care-giving efforts.
Thank you to all of our friends and supporters who participated and contributed to the Stirling Invitational Golf Tournament. This event would not be possible without you.
#StirlingProud
Additional sponsors include Netchex, Newmark Knight Frank, Metairie Bank, Real Estate Tax Group, Big Easy Parking Lot Maintenance, Gulf South Electric, Dixie Office Products, Geiger Heating & Air, Jones Fussell LLP, PMAT Real Estate Investments LLC, Premier Service Team, Premium Parking, River Parish Disposal, Ryan Gootee General Contractors, SCS Electric Inc., Southeastern Waterproofing, Trimark, CMC (Calcasieu Mechanical Contractors), Angelos Landscaping, Champion Security, Cook Moore & Associates (Cornerstone), Cost Segregation Services Inc. (CSSI), Huseman, Jeffrey Lipp Parking Lot Services, Precision Concrete Cutting of Louisiana, Professional Mechanical, Resource Bank, Southeastern Contracting, Unit Design, Thermal Products, Grass Unlimited, and Sign Lite. A huge shout out to Fidelity Bank for sponsoring lunch.
Red or White Wine & Gourmet Center coming to The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is pleased to announce that Red or White Wine & Gourmet Center is coming to The Wharf, located in Orange Beach, Alabama. Jeff Barnes, CCIM, Stirling Properties’ Broker, handled the lease transaction.
Red or White Wine and Gourmet Center will occupy 2,852 square feet of water-front space on the Ground Floor of Levin’s Bend, Suite D-128 at The Wharf, and plans to open in October of 2017. This will be the third location for Red or White in the coastal Alabama region, with existing sites in Mobile and Fairhope. The locally owned company features a wide variety of globally sourced retail wine selections, as well as a wine and tapas bar with an original menu and unique environment.
Positioned on 222 acres along the south side of the Intracoastal Waterway in Orange Beach, Alabama, The Wharf is one of the most dynamic and inviting mixed-use destinations along the Gulf Coast. Consisting of more than 376,000 square feet of commercial lease space, the current mix of tenants includes retail shopping and restaurant options, office and professional services, a 15-screen movie theater, a 112′ Ferris wheel, residential condominiums, convention space, meeting facilities, a 208-slip marina, a 132-room Springhill Suites by Marriott, and Burris Farm Market. Future plans include the development of prominent outparcels, including an exciting new zip line course scheduled to open in the fall of 2017.
For leasing information, contact Jeff Barnes, CCIM, at (251) 375-2496 or jbarnes@stirlingprop.com.
Sale of 220 West Garden Office Tower in Pensacola, Florida
Stirling Properties will resume management & leasing of the property
Rendering of proposed exterior renovations of 220 West Garden
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is pleased to announce the closing on the sale of 220 West Garden (former SunTrust Tower) in Pensacola, Florida. The 95,329-square-foot, 10-story office tower was purchased by Civic Conversations, LLC, which is part of the Studer Family of Companies.
Jason Scott, Sales & Leasing Executive with Stirling Properties, worked on behalf of the seller on the property transaction. Stirling Properties will also resume the management and leasing assignments of the property. Exciting new renovations for the building are expected to commence in November of this year, with completion anticipated for the fourth quarter of 2018.
“We are glad that one of Pensacola’s most iconic buildings is going to continue to serve the Pensacola community in a fresh, new way,” said Scott. “We are equally excited at the opportunity to work with Studer Properties, LLP and its team to provide them with quality management and leasing services that complement Studer’s core mission for improving the quality of life.”
Studer’s plans for the property include a significant capital investment with the goal of turning it into a place for community discussions and dialogue, to host expert speakers on issues important to Pensacola, and create an open public space for citizens to meet and enjoy downtown, and a best-in-class event center.
While most of the building will remain a multi-tenant office tower, the renovation plans include converting the 17,000-square-foot ground floor into a community interaction area with café, lecture space, and an environment for other community gatherings. The existing exterior open space will become an urban plaza for musical events, outdoor movies, and other seasonal activities. The building’s ninth floor will include an observation room for visitors.
Rendering of proposed interior renovations of 220 West Garden
“Our goal has always been to improve the quality of life for people in Northwest Florida. Through our commercial ventures, we hope to help our community and our local businesses be more productive and profitable, which translates to more jobs and a better trained workforce,” said Quint Studer.
“Stirling Properties is proud to retain 220 West Garden as part of our commercial portfolio in the Pensacola region. We look forward to working with the Studers and their organization in its core mission to make Pensacola the best place to live and work,” said Will Barrois, VP & Regional Manager for AL/FL with Stirling Properties.
Stirling Properties is located at 220 West Garden Street, Suite 802 in Pensacola, Florida. Click here for more information regarding our services.
Stirling Properties Welcomes 1st El Pollo Loco to Louisiana Market
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is pleased to welcome Louisiana’s 1st El Pollo Loco restaurant to Lafayette.
The new El Pollo Loco will be located at 3808 Johnston Street on the corner of Westchester Drive. It will occupy 3,000 square feet of restaurant space, including a drive-thru. Construction on the building is expected to commence in early September, with an anticipated opening in the late spring of 2018.
El Pollo Loco, which is Spanish for “The Crazy Chicken,” features authentically prepared flame-grilled, citrus-marinated chicken, burritos, salads, soups, tacos, and quesadillas.
“We’re dedicated to serving healthy, fresh ‘pollo’ (chicken) hot off our open-flame grills from the skilled hands of our Grill Masters,” said Jason Trotter, El Pollo Loco franchise owner. “Our goal is to serve perfect ‘pollo’ all the time! We are excited to open our first El Pollo Loco restaurant in Louisiana—and we look forward to bringing our authentic Mexican grill to the residents of Lafayette!”
Rhonda Sharkawy and Lauren Ryan, leasing executives with Stirling Properties are the exclusive commercial brokers for El Pollo Loco in the state of Louisiana and are working to identify additional restaurant locations for the franchise. Ryan Pecot, leasing executive with Stirling Properties also represented the sellers in this transaction.
El Pollo Loco is publically traded and has more than 470 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, and Utah. El Pollo Loco is expanding its presence in key markets through a combination of company and existing and new franchisee development.
Congratulations to Roger Ogden for receiving the 2016 Times-Picayune Loving Cup!
On behalf of Stirling Properties, we would like to congratulate Roger Ogden for receiving the prestigious Times-Picayune Loving Cup. He is truly worthy of such an esteemed award that serves to honor his lifelong service to our community.
As one of the founders of our company, along with Jimmy Maurin (pictured above), Roger has helped to shape this community and transform the commercial real estate industry—and we are grateful for all that he has done. His passion, vision, and leadership have significantly contributed to the success of our city, state, and the entire region.
As impressive as his extensive business credentials are, even more impressive is what he has accomplished through his commitment and generosity to the myriad of civic, cultural, and philanthropic causes in our area.
“I have had the distinct privilege of working with Roger for many years. I have also shared the opportunity to work with him on several boards and projects throughout the region. I know well the tireless commitment he gives to each and the passion he brings to the table. I also know he is driven to make the world around him a better place through his efforts,” said Marty Mayer, President & CEO of Stirling Properties.
Roger is a remarkable individual and he has definitely earned his place among such an extraordinary list of people who have made a lasting impact on us all.
Congratulations, Roger, on this well-deserved honor!
