Spring 2007 - City of Plantation

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Largest and MOST ADMIRED Elisabeth Bryant, Economic Development According to FORTUNE Online (February 21, 2006), “America’s Most Admired Companies” are selected from among the largest U.S. companies in 65 industry categories. In evaluating the companies in their respective industries, FORTUNE asked more than 10,000 business executives at these companies to rate candidates on eight key attributes of reputation: innovation, use of assets, employee talent, management, investment value, social responsibility, financial soundness and products and services. Each year FORTUNE also publishes a list of America’s 500 largest companies ranked by revenue in a list best known as the FORTUNE 500. The City of Plantation is fortunate enough to be home to the regional headquarters for a well-known company that ranks high on both lists. Centex, located in Plantation Midtown, ranks No. 175 on the FORTUNE 500 ® list of America’s largest corporations (April 4, 2006), and consistently ranks among “America’s Most Admired Companies” in its industry. So where can you find the story of Centex? Take a look at people and places in your community. The young couple buying their first home. The hospital Centex built where their baby is born. The growing family moving up to a new and larger Centex home financed by CTX Mortgage, underwritten by Commerce Title and Centex Insurance, and protected by Centex’s HomeTeam Pest Defense. Look at the schools and universities their children will attend, the office buildings where the grownups work, the arenas and performing arts centers that enrich their lives. And, as the years pass, Centex will provide the ideal home for vacations or in which they can live out their active retirement. All these environments are provided by Centex and its thousands of employees across America. Dallas-based Centex (NYSE: CTX), founded in 1950, is one of the nation’s leading home building companies. Centex operates in major U.S. markets in 25 states and delivered more than 39,000 homes in the United States in its most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. In addition to its home building operations, Centex’s related business lines include mortgage and financial services, home services and commercial construction. These businesses provide operational or financial support to home building operations and are leaders in their respective industries. PLANTATION MIDTOWN Wayfinding System Centex, located in Plantation Midtown is on the FORTUNE 500 list of America’s largest corporations and consistently ranks among “America’s Most Admired Companies” in the industry. Mr. Al Petrangeli joined Centex in 1983 as Project Engineer for the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport job. Today he serves as a Division President for the company, responsible for overseeing daily operations for projects with revenue in excess of $500 million each year. He is based in the company’s Fort Lauderdale Metro Office. At Centex, “we understand that we have a responsibility to give back to those communities where we live, work and prosper,” says Petrangeli. “To fulfill that obligation, we give both financial and volunteer support to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations across the country. This includes national relationships with Habitat for Humanity and The Conservation Fund, as well as support for many local organizations in communities where Centex does business. Our corporate staff manages our national relationships, while the leaders of our local operations determine local support. Overall, Centex donates more than $5 million per year and thousands of hours of volunteer time to nonprofit organizations to help strengthen the communities where we do business. Just to name a few: Habitat for Humanity, Land Legacy Fund, Giving in Dallas, Hearts & Hammers, and Give Kids The World Foundation,” Petrangeli explains. Centex executives also participate in important City events and activities. In October, Kent Long, Senior Vice President of Business Acquisition Group, was among five distinguished panel guests at the 5th Annual Economic Development Summit (see article entitled Summit Rises to New Heights). Torry Watson, Vice President of Business Development, was appointed by Councilwoman Sharon Uria to serve on the Economic Development Ad Hoc Working Group (look for an article in the next edition of Plantation Quarterly), a group working to develop the content and the direction of the City's Economic Development 5-Year Strategic Plan. Businesses and residents are proud to recognize another big winning company in Plantation, Centex. Take a quick drive down University Drive and you will notice the new Plantation Midtown banners. These banners are part of a “wayfinding system.” At the core of a wayfinding system is the desire to create and reinforce a sense of place. The new Plantation Midtown banners have been placed to identify Midtown boundaries and further distinguish this special district. As we progress with our vision of Plantation Midtown, we will introduce more wayfinding signs that are user friendly and aesthetically pleasing. The wayfinding system will help to define pathways for vehicular traffic to parking areas, pathways for pedestrians from parking areas to amenities and events, and create an awareness of destinations, while at the same time, reducing the clutter and confusion of overuse of signs. These signs are all part of the Plantation Midtown Conceptual Plan. These banners and signs, along with sidewalks, landscaping, green spaces, street lights, benches and trash receptacles will all contribute to our vision of a safe, clean and welcoming Plantation Midtown. 12 Plantation Quarterly Spring 2007
Leveraging CAPITAL STRATEGICALLY Wayne Burns, Economic Development Coordinator As part of the City of Plantation Community Redevelopment Agency Plan Strategy, implemented to revitalize State Road 7 corridor in Plantation, four general components have been identified to foster the ongoing successful redevelopment of the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA): Land Use, Aesthetic and Mobility Improvements, Marketing, and Catalytic Investment. According to the CRA Plan, Catalytic Projects are public/private redevelopment initiatives that stimulate private sector investment in the CRA. The Catalytic Investment Strategy funds are earmarked to leverage private sector small scale and large scale development or improvement projects that will act as a catalyst to attract additional private fund investment in the area. The CRA Plan identifies specific catalytic projects as well as general projects to stimulate reinvestment. In 1999, as part of the initial planning process, Lambert Advisory was contracted to prepare a market analysis for the CRA. This Valeteria CLEANERS analysis was used to identify the catalytic projects contained in the CRA Plan and to determine what types of uses would be most successful within the CRA. In 2006, additional in-house market research was conducted to identify market sector gaps in the CRA. In September of 2006, Requests for Proposal were sent out to approximately 1,500 businesses that had the potential to fill a market sector gap. The remaining CIS funds available are $600,000. A complete development plan was requested to be included in proposal packages that would define the project location, provide a financial statement demonstrating how the requested funds would be leveraged in the project, and present why the CIS funds would be best allocated to the project proposed. As outlined in the CIS Grant Program, several financial and non-financial evaluation criteria were incorporated into the process. Criteria included: developer experience and track record; project consistency with the CRA Plan; design guidelines and zoning compliance; project visibility and ability to generate “spinoff” development; extent to which projects THE CRA PLAN IDENTIFIES SPECIFIC CATALYTIC PROJECTS AS WELL AS GENERAL PROJECTS TO STIMULATE REINVESTMENT remove barriers to redevelopment; financial and market feasibility; and anticipated return on requested incentive and tax increment. An evaluation committee already familiar with the proposal evaluation process from the previous CIS allocation was assembled to review the new proposals. Three proposals were submitted and all three proposals were recommended to receive funding. The projects proposed include upgrades to the Plantation Inn to provide a clean and safe overnight hotel for visitors to Plantation General Hospital and other business travelers and tourists. Dr. Peter Romano II requested funds to move his practice to Plantation and include in his practice an Orthopedic Surgeon/Sports Medicine Specialist. Hospitality Consultants is proposing a sit down national restaurant chain to be constructed at the southeast corner of State Road 7 and Sunrise Boulevard. On December 13, 2006, City Council approved a Resolution to authorize City staff to execute agreements with Hospitality Consultants ($300,000), Plantation Inn ($150,000), and Mia Bella Partners, LP AKA Dr. Peter J. Romano II ($150,000). The City of Plantation continues to focus on revitalization of the CRA/State Road 7 corridor. Mayor Rae Carole Armstrong proclaimed September 10, 2003 “Valeteria Cleaners Day” in recognition of its history and growth. Valeteria Cleaners, located at 339 North State Road 7, opened in 1963, and is the oldest continuous running business in the City of Plantation. They have been successfully cleaning clothes for 43 years by combining excellent customer service, high quality cleaning, and the special personal touch of a family owned business. Many customers remember “Uncle Bill,” the original owner, with his wooden leg and wonderful smile and great stories about his trips to Las Vegas with his wife Hannah. Uncle Bill stayed greeting customers in the corner of the store until weeks before his death. Barbara, his daughter, assumed management of the business and adds a dynamic quality to the store as she remembers everyone’s family details. The third generation is now increasing their management role. Steve, her son, coordinates the door-to-door service, providing personalized and friendly just-in-time delivery. You can have your cleaning picked up and delivered to either your home or business from the beach to Weston. When Valeteria first opened its doors, State Road 7 was a two-lane street lined with cow pastures and there were approximately 2,400 residents. Today, 43 years later, Plantation’s population is in excess of 85,000. Valeteria has been a part of this growth. The number of businesses has also grown significantly. Medical and legal services, a variety of local and national retailers, and many different restaurants now offer patrons dining opportunities ranging from very casual to elegant. As State Road 7 in Plantation has blossomed into a thriving and beautiful area, Valeteria has been an integral part of the local business community. Mayor Rae Carole Armstrong proclaimed September 10, 2003 “Valeteria Cleaners Day” in recognition of their history and growth and being a vital business partner in the growth of the City of Plantation. Through the years they have remained a family business whose main objective is to provide their customers with a clothescleaning service that is of the highest quality. Plantation Quarterly Spring 2007 13
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Page 5 and 6: FAREWELL FormerMayorFrank Veltri AP
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Page 9 and 10: Automated INSPECTION LINE The City
Page 11: WhatHappens IF A POLICE OFFICER STO
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Spring 2007 - City of Plantation

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