Efficiency Maine: Improving the Energy Efficiency of your Commercial Properties – Portland Breakfast Seminar March 06, 2012 – 7:30AM to 9:00AM
MEREDA to Host Annual Winter Networking Social March 15, 2012 – 5:00PM to 7:00PM
MEREDA Member Bev Uhlenhake of Epstein Commercial Real Estate on WABI 5 TV
http://www.wabi.tv/news/27293/new-study-shows-bangor-area-commercial-real-estate-holding-on-strong
PORTLAND, Maine – Tom Lea, president of the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA), the state’s leading organization for commercial real estate professionals, has announced the 2012 winners of awards presented at MEREDA’s Annual Real Estate Forecast Conference. The conference was held this year on January 26 in Portland in front of a record 600 attendees.
“Each of these individuals has made significant and lasting contributions to responsible real estate development in the state of Maine, and MEREDA is proud to honor them with these awards,” said Lea.
The awards and 2012 recipients are as follows:
The Robert B. Patterson, Jr. Founders’ Award, which recognizes a member who has contributed to the industry or to MEREDA on a significant level over many years, was presented to Jaimie Schwartz of South Portland. Jaimie has been very active in MEREDA activities for more than 15 years. Whether serving on MEREDA’s Board of Directors or the Conference Committee, Jaimie frequently contributes valuable critical insight into certain topics of discussion. Jaimie is a Shareholder in the law firm of Bernstein Shur and is the chair of their Real Estate Practice Group.
MEREDA’s success is largely based on the support and commitment from its volunteer members, which is why each year MEREDA presents its Volunteer of the Year Award to an individual who willingly and enthusiastically volunteers significant time and energy on MEREDA’s behalf. This year’s award was presented to Noel Graydon of Kennebunkport for going above and beyond the call of duty to help further MEREDA’s mission. Noel is also an active participant on the MEREDA Board of Directors and Membership & Marketing Committee. A forty year banking veteran, Noel joined Norway Savings Bank in 2008 as a Regional Vice President Commercial Lending responsible for commercial lending efforts in Southern Maine.
The Public Policy Award, is presented to an individual member whose efforts have made meaningful impact on public policy decisions for the benefit of the real estate industry in Maine. Receiving this award in 2006, we are proud to present this award once again to Gary Vogel of Yarmouth. The amount of time that Gary devotes to MEREDA is staggering. MEREDA made some great strides advancing its legislative initiatives during the 125th 1st Regular Legislative Session. As chair of MEREDA’s legislative committee, Gary was instrumental in helping MEREDA achieve many of these successes. Gary’s commitment to MEREDA is greatly appreciated. Gary is a Partner of Drummond Woodsum, and is listed in the 2012 Edition of Best Lawyers in America in the category of Real Estate.
The Presidents’ Award, a discretionary award given by MEREDA’s current president was presented to Bruce Jones of Yarmouth. Bruce is the Business Development Manager at Creative Office Pavilion and has been a member of MEREDA since 2007 where he serves on the Conference Planning Committee. His exemplary work in planning MEREDA’s 2011 Spring Conference was extremely valuable, and he is doing more of the same this year. Bruce has worked in the commercial furniture industry for 20 years serving in various sales, training and management capacities. Bruce is an active member of the Portland Rotary Club and involved with the Portland Society of Architects, and the Greater Portland and Androscoggin Chambers of Commerce.
l. to. r., MEREDA President Tom Lea, MEREDA Operations Manager Shelly Clark,
Jaimie Schwartz, Noel Graydon, Bruce Jones, and Gary Vogel.
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Founded in 1985, MEREDA is an organization of commercial real estate owners, developers and related service providers, whose mission is to promote an environment for responsible development and ownership of real estate throughout the State of Maine. More than 600 people attend MEREDA’s Annual Real Estate Forecast Conference and Member Showcase held each January.
January 27, 2012
Mainebiz: MEREDA Conference Highlights Real Estate Growth
Mainebiz: Insiders at MEREDA event share real estate forecasts - part one
Boston Globe: Maine’s real estate market making slow recovery
Portland Press Herald: Outlook for Maine real estate brighter
Bangor Daily News: Experts: Incremental, steady growth in Maine commercial real estate for 2012
Experts Predict Slow Growth For Maine’s 2012 Real Estate Economy
January 29, 2012
Mainebiz: Insiders at MEREDA event share real estate forecasts – part two
MPBN: Real Estate Official Says Recovery Is Coming, Slowly
January 31, 2012
Mainebiz: Insiders at MEREDA event share real estate forecasts – part three
February 2, 2012
Mainebiz: Portland housing market stabilizes, rents may increase
Check out the video of MEREDA members attending our Annual Forecast Conference on January 26, 2012.
Video courtesy of Mainebiz
http://www.mainebiz.biz/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120127/NEWS/120129961/1088&template=multimedia
Governor LePage, 500+ of the state’s leading real estate experts attend the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s Annual Conference
Yesterday over 500 real estate experts, owners, developers and service providers from across Maine attended the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA)’s annual Forecast Conference and 8th Annual Member Showcase.
Governor Paul LePage opened the conference with remarks detailing his vision for Maine’s growing real estate industry. “I am optimistic about our state’s jobs and real estate market. While we’re not exactly where we want to be, our unemployment rate has improved during the past year and we are moving in the right direction,” Governor LePage said. “You will continue to see our Administration advocate for policies that encourage job creation which in turn will have a positive effect on the economy and real estate development.”
Attendees of the conference received an overall economic forecast for the state by Charles Colgan of the Muskie School of Public Service, as well as 2012 market predictions from industry experts by region and key sectors, including office, retail, industrial, residential and multi-family properties. Colgan noted that the residential real estate market would still feel the effects of the recession throughout 2012, particularly in the area of new construction. He indicated that nearly half of Maine’s in-migration consists of individuals between the ages of 18 and 44 possessing a bachelor’s or graduate degree and that this demographic represents a significant source of potential first-time homebuyers should overall economic conditions improve. Colgan predicted that the existing housing market will not improve significantly until 2013 and that foreclosures will continue to remain high amongst consumers in 2012. New housing will remain well below historic levels as demand for first-time buyers remains weak.
Karen Rich of Cardente Real Estate presented her forecast for the Greater Portland retail sector. Rich noted that new franchises and restaurants continue to move to Maine and that Greater Portland’s retail vacancy rate of 6.24% is less than half the national average. She predicted that the growing adoption of so-called “window shopping” with smart phones and tablets will put pressure on bricks and mortar retail operations and expects that mid-priced retailers will be squeezed as lower end and higher end retailers benefit. Overall, Rich forecasted that available retail space will be absorbed due to the scarcity of new inventory and that the sector will experience modest growth as lease and sale pricing holds steady or experiences only minor increases.
James Harnden of Malone Commercial Brokers gave an assessment of the Greater Portland office market. Overall he observed that “the worst is over,” citing office vacancy rates up only .27% in 2011, 90,000 square feet of positive net absorption, and the highest lease transaction volume since 2006. Harnden indicated that the overall Greater Portland office vacancy rate stands at 12.92% and observed the market has “turned a corner.” He cautioned, however, that even though we are moving in the right direction, vacancy rates remain high when compared to 5 and 10 year averages and that it will remain a “buyers/tenants market” in 2012. Harnden indicated that several new development projects are on the horizon and that he is optimistic for slow but increasing growth going forward.
Justin Lamontagne of NAI The Dunham Group presented an assessment and forecast for the Greater Portland industrial sector. Lamontagne noted that the total vacancy rate for the region is 7.29% (compared to 15.5% nationally) with Saco, Scarborough, and Westbrook enjoying the lowest vacancy rates. He indicated that manufacturing indices are on the rise, unemployment is falling, interest rates are low and money is available, but that stock market fluctuations and political uncertainty combine to create an overall confidence problem for the sector. Lamontagne predicted that lease rates will plateau and may tick up in particular areas, that new construction/speculative building will remain stagnant, and that bullish users will enjoy great value in 2012.
Bev Uhlenhake of Epstein Commercial Real Estate presented an overall forecast for the Bangor marketplace. Focusing on Bangor’s role as a regional draw for retail, medical, and entertainment users, she indicated that Bangor is a rising market, with developers purchasing vacant space in the industrial sector, class A to B+ office space holding steady, and retail vacancies (especially big box stores) filling. She cited unprecedented investments in the waterfront area and expansion of health care services as areas of opportunity. Overall Uhlenhake predicted incremental growth for Greater Bangor with speculative building still a couple years away.
Other speakers at the conference included MEREDA President Thomas Lea; Chris Paszyc of CBRE | The Boulos Co. presenting a forecast for the Central Maine market; Daren Hebold of Daigle Commercial Group providing a statewide hospitality forecast; John Graham of Sullivan Multi-Family Realty presenting a Southern Maine multi-family residential forecast; and Nicholas Dambrie of RE/MAX By the Bay providing a Southern Maine single-family residential forecast.
Join us on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 from 7:30 – 9:00 AM at the Clarion Hotel, 1230 Congress Street, Portland, ME as Maine’s State Energy Director Kenneth Fletcher provides an overview of the Governor’s Energy Diversification Program.
Program: 8:00- 9:00 AM
Buffet Breakfast: 7:30 – 8:00 AM
About the Event:
The Governor’s Office of Energy Independence and Security believes Maine needs to become energy independent in the next few decades and has an energy plan that will establish the steps necessary to realize this goal, maximizing use of clean, reliable, and renewable energy resources while reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
Governor LePage has identified the reduction of electricity prices and lowering the overall costs of energy to Maine people as one of his top five priorities. To achieve this goal, all energy sources need to be considered both in the short term as well as the long term in a way that is environmentally responsible and sustainable and prompts economic development.
For more information and to register, please visit www.mereda.org.
Seminar sponsored by James W. Sewall Company & Eaton Peabody
The Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) is hosting an informational breakfast event focusing on Stormwater Tips to Maximize Credits and Minimize Risk on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 7:30 – 9:00 AM at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor.
ABOUT THE EVENT: Take action now to reduce costs and avoid potential for regulatory action. Pressure from Federal and State regulators, on both public and private entities, as well as a desire for a healthy environment, are causing the City of Bangor to devote an increasing amount of time and resources to stormwater. The business community will be most affected if regulatory action is taken, as it was in South Portland, but the City is working hard to avoid a confrontation.
This seminar will explain why business owners should not wait to take action to reduce costs and avoid potential for regulatory action. Examples for how to take action now will also be presented.
Presentation objectives:
- Provide a brief background on stormwater regulatory pressures & the need for stormwater funding
- Provide an update on the status of the City of Bangor’s Prospective Stormwater Utility
- Provide the audience with some insight as to how it will affect them financially if the utility is or is not implemented, and
- Offer examples of what can be done to minimize the costs to businesses or organizations
Join us on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 for this important discussion from 7:30 – 9:00 AM at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor.
For more information and to register online, visit www.mereda.org. An RSVP is requested on, or before, February 3, 2012.
Registration Fees:
Members: $25 pp | Non-Members: $35 pp
-After February 3rd, prices increase by $10 pp
On January 26, 2012, the Maine Real Estate & Development Association (MEREDA) will host its Annual Real Estate Forecast Conference and 8th Annual Member Showcase. Governor Paul LePage is set to open the conference with remarks detailing his vision for Maine’s growing real estate industry and overall thoughts on the industry as a whole.
Over 500 of the state’s leading real estate experts are expected to attend the day’s events, which is being held at Portland’s Holiday Inn By the Bay. The annual conference will provide an outlook at commercial real estate by region and key market sectors, including office, retail, industrial, residential and multi-family properties. In addition to delivering localized and industry-specific forecasts, Charles Colgan of the Muskie School of Public Service will deliver an Economic Forecast for the state.
This course has been approved for 4.00 Broker, 4.00 Legal, and 4.00 Architect Continuing Education Credits.
For more information and to register visit www.mereda.org.
Maine Ahead Magazine – January/February 2012
