Coalition for Coastal Resilience and Economy (CCRE): Ecosystem Restoration Is Economic Development
As Chairman of the Coalition for Coastal Resilience and Economy (CCRE), I wanted to take a moment to introduce the coalition and give an update about the traction we’ve made in our first year. Launched in July 2014 by the economic development organization Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.), CCRE is a business-led coalition tasked with creating an educated, informed voice of advocacy for sustainable restoration efforts in Louisiana’s wetlands, rivers, deltas, and coastline. It is made up of non-partisan, Southeastern Louisiana business leaders that believe investing in smart restoration today will ensure continuing economic opportunities in the future. CCRE will advocate for policies that promote, protect and drive resources to Louisiana’s coast.
RESTORE Act Meeting – August 2014
In the last year, CCRE members and I have participated in several unique coastal experiences, including seaplane and boat tours of Louisiana’s coastline, designed to increase awareness of the needs, opportunities and plans for coastal protection and restoration. We’ve met with government officials, including U.S. Congressman Steve Scalise, to collaborate and discuss the most effective ways to utilize RESTORE Act funds to revive and protect Louisiana’s wetlands and coastline. As we approach the Katrina Anniversary, coastal restoration and resilience is bound to be a part of the media coverage about the region’s recovery over the last ten years. In fact, there was a terrific piece in the New York Times recently “How to Save a Sinking Coast: Katrina Created a Laboratory.” To ensure that the narrative around coastal issues is appropriately framed—furthering the region’s position as an international leader in resiliency and restoration—GNO, Inc., on behalf of the CCRE, is reaching proactively to media via coastal overflights, interviews and panel briefings. Also, GNO, Inc. Chairman Michael Hecht and I penned a Letter to the Editor and submitted it to the New York Times, providing additional context to the recent John Barry story, “Is New Orleans Safe?” Restoring the wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico coastline is arguably the region’s most pressing environmental and economic issue. With the coming influx of funding from the RESTORE Act and other oil spill-related settlements, CCRE has a unique opportunity to ensure the continued prosperity and sustainability of Southeast Louisiana. Now is the perfect time to implement smart, long-lasting solutions to improve the coastline, communities and economy. I am excited about the role the business community will play in this effort.
President’s Message: Change and Progress
Our 40th year is now in full swing! Recently, we officially celebrated this milestone during our annual Stirling Honors recognition luncheon. My message for the day centered around Tony Robins’ quote “Change is Inevitable. Progress is Optional.” Stirling has survived and prospered over the years and it is clear that Stirling opted to choose progress. Here’s what 40 years looks like in a 4 minute video:[wpvideo k1cJ0dhf] During Stirling Honors, I also highlighted many of our recent achievements across the entire spectrum of our company:
- Commercial Brokerage: 2014 was a record year across all business lines – office, retail, industrial and investment sales – with volume up 65%!
- Magnolia Marketplace, New Orleans, LA: With partners JCH Development, we recently celebrated the grand opening on the site of a former housing project almost 10 years after Hurricane Katrina – significant not only for the location but the timing
- Ambassador Town Center, Lafayette, LA: Our 2nd joint venture with CBL is under construction with the official groundbreaking ceremony this month
- Fremaux Town Center, Slidell, LA: Phase I opened a year ago; Phase II is well underway with a scheduled October opening
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, Lake Charles, LA: Under construction with scheduled Summer opening
- Premier Centre, Mandeville, LA: Successfully landed our 1st Whole Foods deal, to open January 2016
- Offices at Mid-City Market, New Orleans, LA: Historic tax credit rehab adjacent to Mid-City Market, anchor Gallo Mechanical set to occupy and open by year end 2015
- Walgreens, Terrytown & Metairie, LA: Terrytown opened a year ago and was our first build-to-sell; fee development Metairie at Vets & Power Blvds is under construction
- Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge, LA: Awarded leasing and management contract last year; condos now on the market, new block of apartments available this summer, office activity is brisk and more retailers/deals in the works
- Ansley Place, Houma, LA: Acquired the 246-unit Class A luxury garden-style apartment complex for $27.3 Million last year
- Alabama/Florida Expansion: Since opening in Mobile less than 2 years ago, we have acquired John Toomey & Company Inc. in Mobile, opened a Pensacola office and expanded/consolidated the Mobile office into One St. Louis Centre in Downtown Mobile; totaling 34 employees/brokers and 2.5 million square feet managed
- Santa Rosa Mall, Mary Esther, FL: Recently awarded contract for leasing and property management of this 734,000 square-foot enclosed mall
Reflecting back on these accomplishments in light of the 40th anniversary of our company, it underscores the fact that change is most certainly inevitable and makes me proud that we have chosen the option to progress.
I know that the future will continue to present us with twists and turns and unexpected new challenges; however, I am confident that we will face these challenges with the knowledge that we have built a strong foundation, rooted solidly in values which are timeless, consistent and enduring.
Indeed change is inevitable…and at Stirling Properties progress is not optional!
President’s Message: Celebrating 40 Years
As we begin 2015, I am excited to announce that Stirling Properties will be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of its founding. As I reflect on this significant milestone, I take pride in all we have overcome and accomplished and I am thankful for all of our dedicated team throughout the years that led us to this point.
In 1975 (before some of our current employees were even born), Jimmy Maurin and Roger Ogden started a real estate company focused on developing shopping centers. The following year, Chip Songy joined them. It was their vision and spirit of entrepreneurship that established such a solid foundation from which we have built the Stirling Properties of today – a full-service commercial real estate company focused on the Gulf South. It is their legacy that we carry forward and continue to grow. To them, we will always be grateful.
While so much has changed in the world, in our markets, and in our company over the years, the culture and values at Stirling Properties remain firmly rooted in integrity, professionalism, teamwork and commitment to our industry and the communities we serve. Through ups and downs in the market, hurricane recovery and economic uncertainty, putting our clients first continues to be our top priority. As we grow, these values will always guide us.
And none of this would be possible without the dedication and hard work of the Stirling Team. It is because of the Stirling Team that we are able to accomplish so much each and every year and I am thrilled Stirling Properties has such an incredible group of professionals. As we embark on our 40th year, I look forward to a year full of progress and success, built upon the foundation developed over the last 40 years.
President’s Message: Alibaba and the Sales Tax Thieves
Over the last year and a half, I have written several messages about the pressing need for passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act. In those messages, I have cited numerous reasons including:
- To level the playing field.
- The government shouldn’t be choosing winners and losers by providing unfair tax advantages to some.
- The taxes are owed so this is not a new tax – just a loophole in the law (which over 98% of people don’t choose to pay).
- Lost sales tax revenues are crippling our state and local governments who depend on this revenue and this will only get worse unless this trend is reversed – either services will be cut or taxes will be raised in other ways.
Now, you can add yet another reason to the list – Alibaba (a Chinese company larger than Amazon and eBay combined) – recently launched the largest IPO in Wall Street history. The current loophole in the internet sales tax law will allow foreign companies, like Alibaba, to unfairly compete with our U.S. retailers who employ people here, pay taxes here, and have brick and mortar presence here. That is unfair. Watch the latest commercial that is now being run by the Alliance for Main Street Fairness.
Recently, I was in Washington, D.C. with a small group of CEOs representing the International Council of Shopping Centers. We met with key members of Congress to urge them to pass Efairness legislation. This ICSC article offers more details about our meetings.
The good news is that they are listening, but we need to continue to have our voices heard. This link offers an easy method to take action by phone, email or tweet. I encourage you to contact your members of Congress today.
Stirling Properties Opens New Office in Pensacola, Florida, To Further Expand Gulf South Presence
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in Pensacola, Florida, in SunTrust Tower at 220 West Garden Street, Suite 802. As the company’s first location in Florida, the office joins 12 other offices located in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to further strengthen Stirling Properties’ presence in the Gulf South. Will Barrois, Vice President and Regional Manager of Alabama/Florida, oversees all business development throughout the region.
“Stirling’s expansion into the Panhandle of Florida is yet another important step in the long-term strategic plan of servicing the entire Gulf Coast market,” stated Marty Mayer, President and CEO of Stirling Properties.
Stirling Properties will continue to handle the full-time management and leasing of SunTrust Tower. The 9-story, 95,000 square-foot office tower has been the premier office address in the downtown market for 40 years. Jason Scott, Senior Sales and Leasing Executive/Property Manager, transferred from Stirling’s Mobile office to the Pensacola office, where he will oversee the management and leasing of SunTrust Tower. Holding a broker’s license in both Alabama and Florida, Mr. Scott will also be responsible for expanding third party brokerage and management opportunities in Northwest Florida. With over 35 years’ experience in commercial real estate, Mr. Scott began his career in Pensacola and is excited to be part of Stirling’s expansion into Florida.
“Handling the management and leasing of SunTrust Tower gives us a great opportunity to expand Stirling’s footprint into the Florida Panhandle,” stated Will Barrois. “We are looking forward to serving our existing clients and expanding the full complement of property management, brokerage, acquisitions and development from our new Pensacola office.”
For your commercial real estate needs in Florida, contact Stirling Properties at the new office located at 220 West Garden Street, Suite 802, Pensacola, Florida, or call (850) 418-6792.
Pan-American Life Insurance Group Renews Poydras Street Lease and Reaffirms Commitment to New Orleans
Stirling Properties and Pan-American Life Insurance Group (PALIG), a leading provider of insurance and financial services throughout the Americas, announced this morning that they have renewed the lease on their 601 Poydras Street corporate headquarters office space through 2024.
“601 Poydras has been home to Pan-American Life’s corporate headquarters since 1981,” explained José S. Suquet, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Pan-American Life Insurance Group. “And while our business has grown to include operations all over the Americas, New Orleans remains an essential cornerstone of our corporate identity as well as our business strategy.”
The lease renewal is a reflection of Pan-American Life’s commitment to the city in which it was founded, more than 100 years ago. “We strive to have a positive impact on all the communities that we serve and that’s especially important here in our home city whether it is by creating Louisiana based jobs through our domestic business or being a socially responsible corporate citizen,” Suquet added. “You can see through our partnerships with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra; United Way; and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, that we are dedicated to investing in the arts, education, community development and public safety thereby making significant contributions to the growth of New Orleans and the wellbeing of all its residents.”
“Pan-American Life’s renewed lease of their headquarters is further testament of the commitment they have to the City of New Orleans,” stated Marty Mayer, President and CEO of Stirling Properties. “Stirling Properties is proud to have worked with them as we continue to expand and increase the tenancy at Pan-American Life Center.”
Pan-American Life will also retain the building’s naming rights, ensuring that the Pan-American Life Center will continue to be a landmark in the Central Business District.
