October 7, 2015 at 12:00 am · tkcDev · Comments Off on MEREDA’s Morning Menu Event: Real Estate Partnerships: How to make money while keeping your investors, your bank and the IRS happy.

MEREDA’s Morning Menu Event: Real Estate Partnerships: How to make money while keeping your investors, your bank and the IRS happy.

In today’s complicated real estate market, rarely can one party bring all the resources needed to complete an ambitious real estate project. Whether it be capital, know-how or a below-market purchase option on a buildable lot in the East End, developers need partners! While partnerships present a great opportunity, they also have unique legal, tax and operating attributes that can ruin your longest friendship if not handled properly.

Who has operational control? When do the investors get paid? Will the bank accept this partnership structure? And why did the lawyers come up with this huge operating agreement? During this event, our legal and tax expert panelists will answer these questions and more as they review a series of sample cases to explore the do’s and don’ts of real estate partnerships. After the presentation, the audience will better understand how investors and project sponsors are compensated, important provisions to look for in the operating agreement, what bank lenders expect, and other unique tax and legal attributes of real estate partnerships.

Join the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) for breakfast on October 28 from 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM at the Portland Regency Hotel to hear from a panel that will discuss the legal and financial aspects of real estate partnerships. They’ll share examples ranging from two friends flipping houses for fun to seasoned developers collaborating on some of the largest or most notable projects in recent years.

Click here for more information and to register.

This MEREDA “Morning Menu” Breakfast Event is Sponsored by Norway Savings Bank.

October 7, 2015 at 12:00 am · tkcDev · Comments Off on MEREDA’s Morning Menu Event Heads to Saco – Creating in Maine: the “State of Manufacturing” and a Site-Selection/Plant Development Case Study

MEREDA’s Morning Menu Event Heads to Saco – Creating in Maine: the “State of Manufacturing” and a Site-Selection/Plant Development Case Study

Did you know there are over 1,800 manufacturers in Maine employing over 55,000 people with an average salary of $54,000/year? The impact of manufacturing in our state currently and in years past is undeniable. The Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA), in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Maine (MAMe), will present the state of the industry outlining both the highlights and challenges the sector faces. Our featured speakers will be Derek Volk, the President/Owner of Volk Packaging and Bill Dubay, the CEO for Baxter Brewing Company.

Derek Volk is also the current volunteer chairman of the board of directors for MAMe. He will present the “State of Manufacturing” complete with updated statistics and demographics impacting the industry. Bill Dubay, will present a case study based on his experience as General Manager for Curran Food Company. In 2014 he led a site-selection, relocation and facility development project for Curran’s. He will speak to that experience as well as offer up some valuable lessons learned through the process.

The industrial real estate market has seen 21 consecutive quarters of decreased vacancy rates. As a result, there is a critical space crunch in Southern Maine. Manufacturers, in particular, have strict infrastructure needs such as power, clean water & sewer, highway access, and efficient energy requirements. The search for physical space can be challenging and time consuming.

Join the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) for breakfast on November 5, 2015 from 7:30 – 9:00 AM at Franklin Fueling Systems in Saco to learn how the real estate development community can help support Maine’s vital manufacturing sector. 
 
For more information and to register click here

This MEREDA “Morning Menu” Breakfast Event is Sponsored by Biddeford Savings.

August 27, 2015 at 12:00 am · tkcDev · Comments Off on MEREDA’s Morning Menu Breakfast Series Returns on September 10th – Risk Management at the State House: What you don’t know could hurt you, or help you!

MEREDA’s Morning Menu Breakfast Series Returns on September 10th – Risk Management at the State House: What you don’t know could hurt you, or help you!

Every year, the Maine Legislature and Governor consider over a thousand bills, and chances are high that some of them threaten to impact your business. Savvy business leaders today stay informed of the current issues, and know how to engage individually and through MEREDA to influence the outcome of issues that could impact their business.  Additionally, MEREDA continues to propose policy changes to improve the real estate development environment in Maine in big and small ways, helping to pave the way to your business success.  Come to this session to learn more about how to be informed about the issues that matter, and how to engage effectively individually and through MEREDA to influence the outcome of those issues of import.

MEREDA is well-known and well-respected in Augusta for representing commercial real estate interests. Our Legislative Committee and Public Policy Counsel work together closely during Legislative sessions to protect your real estate business interests, and to advance them.
Join Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) for breakfast on September 10, 2015 from 7:30 – 9:00 AM at the Clarion Hotel in Portland to hear more about how we do it, as well as how you can easily remain abreast of policy developments and become more involved.

Sponsored by Norway Savings Bank & Pierce Atwood LLP.

For more information and to register, click here.

July 17, 2015 at 12:00 am · tkcDev · Comments Off on The Maine Real Estate & Development Association Welcomes New Vice Presidents

The Maine Real Estate & Development Association Welcomes New Vice Presidents

PORTLAND, Maine (July 17, 2015) – The Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) is pleased to announce the appointments of Bruce Jones, Creative Office Pavilion and Brian Curley, PDT Architects to Vice Presidents for 2015 -2016.
               
Bruce Jones, Business Development Manager at Creative Office Pavilion since 2004, works with business owners and managers to provide creative furnishing solutions that support their business objectives.   He has been an active member of MEREDA since 2010 serving on the Conference Committee. Bruce joined the MEREDA board in 2012 and that same year, was selected to receive MEREDA’s President’s Award.

Bruce has worked in the commercial furniture industry for over 20 years serving in various sales, training and management roles. He also serves in a leadership role with the Rotary Club of Portland, volunteers at the Long Creek Youth Development Center and is active with the Portland Society for Architecture.

Brian M. Curley, AIA, LEED AP, principal of PDT Architects, is the team leader for corporate, housing, financial services, and interiors clients, with special expertise in historic reuse and energy retrofits. He joined the MEREDA Board of Directors in 2011, and is a member of the Legislative Committee as well as co-chair of the Conference Committee. He has delivered several talks on construction from the architect’s perspective for MEREDA’s breakfast seminar series, and received its President’s Award in 2014.

The recipient of several Statewide Historic Preservation Awards, Brian practiced at several Portland firms before joining PDT Architects in 1996 and becoming a principal in 2003. 

“Bruce and Brian both exemplify leadership roles and can-do attitudes that are particularly welcomed in a volunteer organization such as ours.   We are thrilled to work with them now as Vice Presidents,” said Shelly R. Clark, MEREDA’s Vice President of Operations.

For further information, please contact Shelly R. Clark at 207-874-0801.

July 14, 2015 at 12:00 am · tkcDev · Comments Off on The Maine Real Estate & Development Association Announces 2015-16 Officers and Welcomes New Board Member

The Maine Real Estate & Development Association Announces 2015-16 Officers and Welcomes New Board Member

PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) is pleased to announce its 2015-16 slated officers, which include Paul Peck of Drummond & Drummond, Brian Curley of PDT Architects, and Bruce Jones of Creative Office Pavilion, all serving as Vice Presidents, and Bill Shanahan of Northern New England Housing Investment Fund as Treasurer. Michael O’Reilly of Bangor Savings Bank will continue as President, in the second year of his two-year term, and Shelly R. Clark has been promoted from Assistant Secretary to Secretary of the Board. Shelly also serves MEREDA full-time as the organization’s Vice President of Operations.

MEREDA would also like to welcome a new member to its Board of Directors. Craig Young, CCIM of Scarborough, Partner and Senior Broker at CBRE | The Boulos Company has been elected to MEREDA’s Board of Directors and will serve on its Conference Committee.

Craig is a fierce advocate for his clients and takes the time to intimately understand their internal goals and processes, which enables him to provide a higher level of service. During his impressive tenure at CBRE | The Boulos Company, he has completed several complicated development transactions, dozens of high value investment deals and experienced all sides of the transaction as buyer, seller, landlord and tenant representative.

A Maine native, Craig feels strongly about giving back to his community. He is currently a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine, and is a past President of the Portland Community Chamber and Sweetser’s Kids at Heart program. MEREDA is looking forward to Craig’s contribution as a new member of its Board of Directors.

For further information, please contact MEREDA’s Vice President of Operations, Shelly R. Clark at 207-874-0801.

July 1, 2015 at 12:00 am · tkcDev · Comments Off on The Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) Recognizes Retiring Board Members

The Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) Recognizes Retiring Board Members

Jaimie Schwartz of Bernstein Shur served as a contributing member of the MEREDA Board for the past 13 years. MEREDA recognized Schwartz in 2011 with its Robert B. Patterson, Jr. Founders’ Award, which honors members of MEREDA who have distinguished themselves by making significant contributions to the industry and the organization over many years. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Schwartz has also been a valuable participant on MEREDA’s Conference Committee. Schwartz consistently identified relevant topics for MEREDA events and the organization has greatly valued his creativity.

Drew Sigfridson of CBRE | The Boulos Company retired from MEREDA’s Board of Directors after 12 years of service. Sigfridson consistently went above and beyond in his service to MEREDA. He was recognized with MEREDA’s Volunteer of the Year Award in both 2006 and 2014. Sigfridson served the organization as President from 2012 to 2014, during which time he spearheaded a number of initiatives, including the MEREDA Index, the Mainebiz Real Estate Insider and the Bowl-A-Thon scholarship fundraiser. He also contributed significantly on various MEREDA legislative initiatives.

“As one of MEREDA’s only two staff members, I can personally tell you how much the organization relies on the support of its volunteer Board. We are deeply thankful to Drew and Jaimie for their many years of service to the organization and our industry,” commented Shelly R. Clark, Vice President of Operations for MEREDA. 

For further information, please contact MEREDA’s Vice President of Operations, Shelly R. Clark at 207-874-0801.

June 5, 2015 at 12:00 am · tkcDev · Comments Off on Longtime Board Members Retire from Real Estate Organization

Longtime Board Members Retire from Real Estate Organization

PORTLAND, Maine (June 4, 2015) – The Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) relies on the generous support of its volunteer officers and Board of Directors to fulfill its mission of promoting an environment for responsible development and ownership of real estate throughout Maine. Many have distinguished themselves by making significant contributions to the real estate industry and to MEREDA over many years. Two of MEREDA’s longtime Board members will be retiring from the organization and were recently recognized at MEREDA’s Board Meeting on May 27.

James C. Otis of Scarborough is one of MEREDA’s biggest fans and wholeheartedly believes in the organization’s mission and reason for being. He is also one of MEREDA’s original founding members and has been supporting MEREDA since its inception 30 years ago. He currently serves as MEREDA’s Assistant Treasurer, and has been a very dedicated and active Board Member through the years. Jim received MEREDA’s President’s Award in 2009 and the Robert B. Patterson, Jr. Founders’ Award in 2006 for his commitment to the organization and the real estate industry. Jim founded Otis | Atwell, a CPA firm providing accounting and tax services to businesses throughout the Northern New England area with a special emphasis on matters of affordable housing, in 1974.

Thomas N. Lea of Cumberland Foreside, has served on the MEREDA Board for the past 25 years, as President from 2010 to 2012 and as an active participant on its Legislative Affairs and Conference Committees. He was the 2014 recipient of MEREDA’s Robert B. Patterson, Jr. Founders’ Award for his instrumental role in the organization. He recently retired from People’s United Bank, after a long career as a residential and commercial real estate lender for over 43 years.

“We are grateful to Jim and Tom for their dedication and service to MEREDA over the years,” stated Michael O’Reilly, MEREDA Board President and Senior Vice President, Southern Maine Commercial Banking Team Lead at Bangor Savings Bank, “The organization would not be the strong voice in our industry that it is today without the efforts of these two members.”

May 29, 2015 at 12:00 am · tkcDev · Comments Off on MEREDA’s Morning Menu Breakfast Event – Maine’s Aging Trades & Workforce: Who is Going to Build our Buildings?

MEREDA’s Morning Menu Breakfast Event – Maine’s Aging Trades & Workforce: Who is Going to Build our Buildings?

Buffet Breakfast: 7:30 ~ Program: 8:00 – 9:00 AM

The average age of our trade workers (plumbers, electricians, sheet rockers, etc.) is over 50. Like our state workers in general, our tradespeople are starting to retire in droves. How do we ensure our younger workers are trained in the trades. Our aging trades workers present a significant challenge for not only our State, but the real estate industry itself. How will this affect the labor pool for real estate and development projects?

We invite you to join the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) for breakfast on June 17, 2015 from 7:30 – 9:00 AM at DoubleTree by Hilton in South Portland, ME to hear from three panelists who are seeing these challenges first hand.

Registering for this Event:

Payment is expected at the time of registration. No refunds will be granted to anyone who registers, but fails to attend or who cancels after June 11, 2015.

Member: $45 pp | Non-Member: $55 pp
Register After June 11: Member: $55 | Non-Member: $65

For more information and to register, click here

This event is sponsored by Norway Savings Bank & The Associated General Contractors of Maine

May 22, 2015 at 12:00 am · tkcDev · Comments Off on Real Estate Organization Awards Top 7 Notable Projects of 2014

Real Estate Organization Awards Top 7 Notable Projects of 2014

PORTLAND, Maine – The Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) recently announced winners of its 2014 Notable Projects Awards at its annual Spring Conference in Portland last week. Each of the selected seven projects fulfill MEREDA’s mission of responsible development, but also involved a significant investment of resources and job creation statewide. All of these “noteworthy and significant" real estate projects were completed in 2014 and are fully tenanted. Projects were selected for recognition based upon criteria including environmental sustainability, economic impact, energy efficiency, social impact and job creation.

“Once again, we have seen the incredible vision and integrity demonstrated by our developers right here in Maine. MEREDA is pleased to recognize these exemplary projects, which have aided Maine’s economic growth,” noted Michael O’Reilly, President, MEREDA Board of Directors and Senior Vice President, Southern Maine Commercial Banking Team Lead, at Bangor Savings Bank.

The recipients of MEREDA’s Top 7 Most Notable Projects of 2014 included:

• In Lewiston, the Hampton Inn by Parallax Partners: Award being accepted by Chris Thompson with Shari Young of LodgeSys Management;
• In Portland, The Bay House Condominiums by Reger Dasco Properties: Award being accepted by Gordon Reger and Demetri Dasco;
• In Falmouth, Falmouth Schools Redevelopment Project by OceanView at Falmouth: Award being accepted by Chris Wasileski and Matt Teare;
• In Farmington, Brookside Village by Farmington Land: Award being accepted by Buzz Davis and Bill Marceau;
• In Ellsworth, Seaport Village & The Inn at Seaport by First Atlantic HealthCare: Award being accepted by Craig Coffin & Kenneth Bowden;
• In Portland, Courtyard by Marriott by J.B. Brown & Sons: Award being accepted by Vin Veroneau; and
• Also in Portland, Hyatt Place Hotel by East Brown Cow: Award being accepted by Tim Soley.

More information on each of the projects can be found here.

May 20, 2015 at 12:00 am · tkcDev · Comments Off on MEREDA’s 3rd Annual “Strikes for Scholars” Bowl-A-Thon Fundraises Over $10,000 for Community College Scholarships

MEREDA’s 3rd Annual “Strikes for Scholars” Bowl-A-Thon Fundraises Over $10,000 for Community College Scholarships

MEREDA hosted its 3rd Annual “Strikes for Scholars” Bowl-a-Thon fundraiser at Bayside Bowl in Portland on April 30th. The event supports scholarships for Maine students enrolling in the building trades, architecture, engineering, construction, or business programs at Maine’s community colleges. Partnering again this year with the Maine Community College System, MEREDA raised over $10,000, and will fund one $1,450 scholarship at each of the state’s seven community colleges and support Maine students as they prepare for careers aligned with MEREDA’s mission of responsible development and ownership of real estate in Maine.   

Over 20 teams competed, with over 100 total of Maine’s leading developers and real estate professionals in attendance. CBRE | The Boulos Company took home the prize as the overall winner of the night. The event featured a photo booth with special guests, Pat Patriot, the official mascot of the World Champion New England Patriots, Slugger of the Portland Sea Dogs and Crusher of the Maine Red Claws along with the Red Claw Cheerleaders. Bowlers and attendees also bid in a silent auction of assorted sports, entertainment, and dining items to support this worthy cause.