Stirling Properties Names Bradley Cook as Sales and Leasing Executive
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is pleased to announce Bradley Cook as Sales and Leasing Executive for its Commercial Brokerage Division. He will work from the company’s Covington office located at 109 Northpark Boulevard, Suite 300.
Bradley Cook joined Stirling Properties in 2016 as a Sales and Leasing Executive in the Commercial Brokerage Division. He has extensive experience in the commercial real estate industry, with a focus on industrial and investment properties, urban core redevelopment, as well as land development.
Previously, Bradley worked as an Associate Advisor for AREA Real Estate Advisors where he garnered knowledge and skills in sales, acquisitions, development, tenant and landlord representation, and buyer and seller representation. In this role, he created urban core redevelopment opportunities, and led the charge to promote an 8-million-square-foot ground-up industrial development in Parkville, Missouri.
Prior to his commercial real estate career, he was the Fitness Director for Franco’s Athletic Club, the Program Development Director for Spectrum Health and Fitness, as well as Cardiology Account Executive for GE Healthcare, covering more than 200 accounts across the Southeast. Cook was pivotal in the growth and expansion of Franco’s Athletic Club through their locations on Magazine St. and the new CrossFit Franco’s, which holds Louisiana’s first Reebok CrossFit retail location.
Born in New Orleans and a resident of the Northshore, Bradley earned his Bachelor’s degree and Master of Science degree from Louisiana Tech University. He holds multiple health and fitness certificates in the Exercise Sciences, as well as a lay counselor certificate that enables him to work with men and women in the areas of self-identity and relationships. He is a strong local advocate for the special needs community on the Northshore having started the iCAN Fitness Program at Franco’s Athletic Club and serving on the Board for The Zac Slay Experience.
Cook holds a commercial real estate license in Missouri, Kansas and Louisiana and is a CCIM Candidate.
Bradley Cook can be reached at (225) 505-6009 or bcook@stirlingprop.com.
Amazon Leads the Way in E-fairness!
Alabama becomes 29th state to collect sales taxes from online giant
For decades, brick-and-mortar stores have been fighting for a level playing field with their on-line rivals who are not required to charge sales tax. To enact a little e-fairness, the state of Alabama passed the Alabama Simplified Use Tax Remittance Program, which allows online retailers that do not have operations within the state to collect, report and distribute an 8% sales tax. The on-line tax rate is still lower than its brick-and-mortar rivals who are generally closer to 10%. Since the program’s inception in October 2015, the state has received nearly $3 million in its general fund from 52 on-line retailers.
It was recently announced that Amazon, the largest e-commerce company in the world, has enrolled in Alabama’s state program and will begin distributing funds to the Alabama Department of Revenue monthly. Beginning on November 1st, Alabama will become the 29th state to collect sales taxes from Amazon.
Alabama’s Commissioner of Revenue, Julie Magee, is confident more on-line companies will sign up and expects to see a $40 to $50 million influx of tax funds by 2017 with “substantial” increases by 2018 and beyond. She further noted that 75% of the revenue goes to the state’s general fund, with the remaining balance to be split between cities and counties across the state.
As Alabama’s Government Relations Chair for the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), I am thrilled to hear that Amazon will be participating in Alabama’s tax remittance program and like Ms. Magee, I too believe other on-line retailers will follow their lead. According to recent studies, it is estimated that Alabama is losing upwards of $500 million per year in uncollected sales tax from remote sales.
The shopping center industry is essential to state and local economic development – as a significant job creator, driver of GDP and critical revenue source for the communities they serve through the collection of sales taxes and the payment of property taxes.
In Alabama there are nearly 113.5 million square feet of shopping center space across 1,718 properties that directly employs over 200,000 people or 9.5% of the total state employment. These centers account for close to $32 billion in annual sales and add approximately $1.3 billion in state sales tax revenue.
An annual sales tax revenue of $1.3 billion for brick-and-mortar retail versus $40 to $50 million for on-line retail tells me we have a ways to go to level the playing field, but this is a great start. I commend Amazon for leading the effort!
Stirling Properties and CBL and Associates Properties, Inc. Install Public Walking Trail at Ambassador Town Center in Lafayette
Ambassador Town Center developers, Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., are pleased to announce the installation of a public walking/jogging trail for the surrounding community.
The new outdoor path borders the 12-acre retention pond located behind Costco Wholesale, which was dedicated to the City of Lafayette as a public greenspace. Roughly ¾ mile, the trail was installed as a municipal amenity along the top of the pond, and was landscaped similar to how river levees are used throughout the state. New fountains were also added to enhance the outdoor space. Additionally, the new trail can be combined with adjacent Beaullieu Park via sidewalk along the recently constructed Lake Farm Drive, offering an interconnected exercise and leisure opportunity. The walking/jogging path is free and open for public use.
“Stirling Properties is committed to the Lafayette community. Our hope is that Ambassador Town Center will become more than just a retail center, we want it to be a true community center,” said Townsend Underhill, Stirling Properties Senior Vice President of Development. “The addition of the walking trail will not only enhance the aesthetics of the area, but will provide local residents and shoppers with a great place to exercise and get some fresh air.”
Ambassador Town Center is a roughly 60-acre retail project anchored by Costco Wholesale and Dick’s Sporting Goods/Field & Stream, consisting of more than 430,000 square feet. Located at the southeast corner of Lafayette’s ‘main-at-main’ intersection, Ambassador Caffery Parkway & Kaliste Saloom Road, the development also includes Avalon Salon & Spa, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Blaze Pizza, Chuy’s Mexican Restaurant, Costco Gasoline, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Five Below, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Half Shell Oyster House, Just 4 Him Men’s Haircut Lounge, Marshalls/HomeGoods, Nordstrom Rack, Off Broadway Shoes, Panda Express, Panera Bread, PetSmart, Phone Zone, Professor Bob Beans Coffee Bar & Ice Cream Lab, Red Robin, Subway, Tao Asian Cuisine, World of Beer, Verizon, and more supporting shops and restaurants to come. Most of the retailers committed to Ambassador Town Center are either first-time locations within Lafayette or Louisiana, or both. At completion, Ambassador Town Center is expected to be the premier regional shopping and entertainment destination, as well as a vital economic contributor to the area.
For more information, please visit stirlingproperties.com or cblproperties.com.
For leasing information, contact Ryan Pecot at 337.572.0246 or rpecot@stirlingprop.com or Tim Gilmore at 423.490.8358 or Tim.Gilmore@cblproperties.com. For information on Ambassador Town Center, please visit ambassadortowncenter.com.
Stirling Properties Names Carly Plotkin as Sales and Leasing Executive
Stirling Properties commercial real estate company is pleased to announce Carly Plotkin as Sales and Leasing Executive for its Commercial Brokerage Division. She will work from the company’s New Orleans office located in the Pan-American Life Center at 601 Poydras Street, Suite 2755.
Plotkin has extensive knowledge in the commercial real estate industry, with a primary focus on tenant and landlord representation, and a strong interest in the retail and hospitality market. She has worked with national, regional, and local clients in both marketing and leasing capacities.
Previously, Plotkin worked with The Howard Hughes Corporation, where she led local marketing and development efforts for the overhaul of the former Riverwalk Marketplace into the nation’s first downtown outlet center, The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk in New Orleans.
Prior to that, she served as Marketing Manager at the historic Hotel Monteleone and headed marketing efforts for projects such as the hotel’s 125th Anniversary, and The Carousel Bar & Lounge redesign and reopening.
A native of Winter Park, Florida, Plotkin is a graduate of Tulane University with a Bachelor’s degree in Consumer Behavior/Marketing and Management. She obtained her real estate license in 2015.
Plotkin is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and currently holds the role of ICSC’s Next Generation Committee Chair for the state of Louisiana. She is also a member of the Retail Broker’s Network (RBN) and NOMAR CID (New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors Commercial Investment Division). Plotkin is affiliated with several nonprofit organizations, including Loyola University Executive Mentor Program, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Ochsner Cancer Institute and French Quarter Festival, Inc. Most recently, she was accepted into the Anti-Defamation League’s 2016-2017 Glass Leadership Institute program.
Carly Plotkin can be reached at (504) 620-8120 or cplotkin@stirlingprop.com.
Stirling Properties to Develop Medical Facility in LaPlace
Site Work Commences On New Home to Ochsner Medical Complex
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce the acquisition of 11.93 acres of land in St. John the Baptist Parish for development of a new medical facility and additional commercial development. The site is located at the northwest corner of W. Airline Highway and N. Sugar Ridge Road in LaPlace, Louisiana.
Phase I of this development includes a lease to Ochsner Clinic Foundation for a roughly 20,000-square-foot freestanding emergency room and diagnostic center on approximately 3.5 acres of land. Ochsner Medical Complex-River Parishes is relocating from Rue de Santé to this new facility at 1900 W. Airline Highway. Site work commenced the second week of July and completion is slated for the second quarter of 2017.
Ochsner is southeast Louisiana’s largest nonprofit, academic, multispecialty healthcare delivery system, encompassing numerous owned, managed and affiliated hospitals and neighborhood health centers across the region, and is consistently ranked among the top healthcare providers. Ochsner is also one of the largest employers in the area and a major economic contributor to the Gulf South region.
“Health care is a major growth sector, creating demand for medical facilities, office space and retail support,” said Townsend Underhill, Senior Vice President of Development for Stirling Properties. “Freestanding clinics and targeted medical service facilities are the future of health care and commercial real estate—this new development in LaPlace will not only bring services closer to our communities, but also create new jobs and economic opportunities.”
The adjoining +/- 8.4 acres of the LaPlace facility are currently available for additional commercial development. The property is zoned commercial and is open to compatible use expansion, e.g. office, hospitality, retail, medical, etc.
Stirling Properties has been at the forefront of commercial real estate investment and development in Southeast Louisiana and the Gulf South region, and is committed to bringing quality development and top-notch tenants into local neighborhoods. Since 2010, Stirling Properties has developed more than 3.7 million square feet totaling $465 million, almost exclusively in Louisiana.
For sales and leasing information, contact Beezie Landry at (985) 246-3781 or blandry@stirlingprop.com.
President’s Message: Do Something.
Lately, there are days when it is extremely challenging for me not to get discouraged and disgusted by the barrage of tragic news continuously pouring in from around the world, our country, and most recently, our great state of Louisiana. Increasing violence, deafening angry voices, and escalating hatred are sadly becoming the new normal and all too frequent.
But then, there are days when I am reminded about the virtuous things. Days when my faith in humanity is restored and I remember what is truly important.
One of those days came last Friday at our annual Stirling Olympics, a company-wide fundraiser for local nonprofit organizations. Our incredible Stirling Team joined together to enjoy some friendly competition and good-natured rivalry. We competed in ridiculous games, crazy lip-syncing contests and clumsy relay races. But the most amazing moment was witnessing the genuine pride in our team when the funds were presented to the recipients.
This year, we set a lofty goal of raising $45,000 through Stirling Olympics and I am pleased to say that we surpassed that goal, reaching $57,000! Funds raised from the event benefited The ALD Foundation, which strives to raise awareness and supports the research of Adrenoleukodystroply, a genetically determined neurological disorder that affects young boys between the ages of four and ten, as well as the Miracle League of Greater New Orleans, which works with mentally and physically handicapped children so they can participate in everyday sports. What a perfect day!
For those of you that know me, I have an extensive collection of quotations from famous authors, celebrities and business leaders that inspire and motivate me in one way or another.
There is one on my office wall right now by basketball coaching legend, John Wooden, that is particularly meaningful to me and relevant today:
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
Yes, we can have good days when we celebrate our business successes and growth, or even personal accomplishments and material possessions. But in order to achieve living a perfect day, it must include a selfless act for the benefit of someone else.
What if we all devoted a little more time doing something to help someone else, rather than creating divisiveness, turmoil and tearing each other down? Could we accomplish more perfect days?
I am very proud of our Stirling Team for their hard work and generosity last week. They were equally proud to have made a difference in someone else’s life—especially those children from the Miracle League and the families from The ALD Foundation that joined us.
I know that we can’t change the world or solve all of life’s problems, but we can do our part, no matter how large or small. A kind gesture as simple as a smile can bring hope in those days of discouragement and disgust.
So my message today is to please go out and do something. Go out and do something—anything—kind for someone who will never be able to repay you. And let’s just see what happens.
#StirlingProud!
