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October 30th 2006

In This Issue

Grants:

Economic Notes:

This Weeks Leads:


 

Scorecard

Downtown Parking

Salt Lake City
  • Current Metro Population = 1.9 million
  • Downtown employment = 58,750
  • Downtown office space = 6,583,000 sq ft
  • Downtown Parking
    • On-street parking = 2,000 aprox.
    • Off-street parking = 30,000 aprox. 62% available to public
    • 1/2 On-street parking is metered, other � is time- restricted, but free.
    • Meters operate from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm M-F
    • Meters accept coins or tokens
    • Meters cost $1/hr
  • Zoning Code
    • Office – 1 stall/1,000 sq ft minimum
    • Retail - 1 stall/1,000 sq ft minimum
    • Housing – � to 1 stall/unit depending on location, 2 stall/unit max in central core
Denver
  • Current Metro Population = 2.5 million
  • Downtown employment = 110,000
  • Downtown office space = 23,875,000 sq ft
  • Downtown Parking
    • On-street parking = 2,280 aprox.
    • Off-street parking = 43,000 aprox.
    • Meters operate from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm M-S
    • Meters accept coins or rechargeable debit card
    • Meters cost $1/hr
  • Zoning Code
    • New surface parking not permitted in the commercial core
    • All parking structures in the commercial core must have retail or pedestrian active uses along the street frontage
    • Office – 2 stalls/1,000 sq ft minimum
    • Retail – 3.3 stall/1,000 sq ft minimum
    • Housing – 1.0 to 2.0. stall/unit depending on location, 50% reduction if near transit and parking is shared
Portland
  • Current Metro Population = 1.5 million
  • Downtown employment = 82,750
  • Downtown office space = 17,250,000 sq ft
  • Downtown Parking
    • On-street parking = 6,200 aprox.
    • Off-street parking = 35,650 aprox.
    • all parking in downtown is metered
    • Meters operate from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm M-S
    • Meters accept cash and debit cards
    • Meters cost $1.25/hr
  • Zoning Code - Maximums
    • Office – .7 - .8 stall/1,000 sq ft maximum in commercial core
    • Retail – 1.0 stall/1,000 sq ft maximum in commercial core
    • Housing – 1.35 to 1.7 stall/unit depending on location
Vancouver, BC
  • Current Metro Population = 2.1 million
  • Downtown employment = 124,600
  • Downtown office space = 21,675,000 sq ft
  • Downtown parking = 62,000 approx.
  • Zoning Code
    • Commercial – 0.8 - 1 stalls/1,000 sq ft minimum
    • Commercial – 0.93 – 1.16 stalls/1,000 sq ft maximum
    • Housing – 1.0 stall/unit depending on location, may be less if near transit

Source: Community Leaders Breakfast, 10/25/06 sponsored by: The Downtown Alliance, Salt Lake Chamber, Salt Lake City Corporation, Utah Transit Authority, and Utah Department of Transportation

"Red" and "Blue" Companies

Should investors care about the political beliefs of executives? According to the managers of the Blue Fund, a mutual fund launched in the US in time for the mid-term elections, they should. The name (as in "blue states") shows it is designed for Democrats. But it also shows Republicans how to invest in line with their politics.

Blue Fund looks at the political donations a company has made from corporate political action committees, and from the pockets of its three most senior executives. It argues that companies that consistently give the bulk of their political donations to one party, even when they are out of power (excluding those bidding for a share of the pork barrel), show true commitment.

The research has yielded lists of "red" and "blue" companies, which gave 95 per cent of their donations to Republicans and Democrats respectively over the past 10 years.

The bluest include:

  • Google,
  • Apple Computer,
  • Starbucks and
  • Costco.

The reddest include:

  • ExxonMobil,
  • Union Pacific,
  • International Paper,
  • Halliburton and
  • Dell.

Democrats will be pleased to know that the index of 76 "blue" companies has thrashed its "red" rivals under the Bush administration. Over the five years to June this year, the blue index gained 139 per cent, compared with 34 per cent for the S&P 500, which in turn beat the red index. Even excluding recent stars Google and Apple, the blues are easily ahead.

How seriously should we take this? It may be a fluke. Republicans could argue that after such a rally it looks time to sell blue stocks, and they should dispute the Blue Fund's contention that Apple's principles have helped it to be more innovative than Dell. Dell's political conservatism did not stop it from revolutionising its industry in the 1990s.

Over a longer period, Dell and Apple do look principled. Both have been donating against their apparent self-interest. Under President Bill Clinton, Dell grew at 93.8 per cent per year, according to Bloomberg data, while Apple fell at a4.6 per cent annual clip. Under President George W. Bush, Dell has limped along at 3.8 per cent a year, while Apple grew at 47.5 per cent.

Go figure!

Source: Financial Times, 2006

Greetings!

Downtown Parking - How does SLC rate?

Red Companies, Blue Companies


  • Grants:
  • Grants

    Clean Brownfields!
    • Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Grants
    • POSTED: 10/17/2006
    • FUNDING SOURCE: EPA
    • ELIGIBILITY: Nonprofit and public agencies $
    • AVAILABLE: $72,000,000 GRANTS AVAILABLE: 200
    • MAX GRANT SIZE: N.A.
    • DEADLINE: 12/8/06
    • CONTACT INFORMATION: Varies by region.
    • See www.epa.gov.
    • DESCRIPTION: Grants and loans for a variety of activities that will lead to the rehabilitation of designated Brownfields in preparation for site redevelopment.

  • Economic Notes:
    • Index of Investor Optimism

    • The UBS Index of Investor Optimism rose for the second consecutive month in October. This month the index rose five points to 79, its highest level in seven months. The measurable improvement in investor optimism is mainly attributed to falling gasoline prices and rising stock prices.
    • New Home Sales (C25)

    • September brought another surprise increase in new home sales. According to census, sales of new homes ran at a 1.075 million unit pace, a gain of 5.3% from August’s revised number. August sales were revised downward, however. Months of inventory declined slightly from August and the median price continues to decline on a year over year basis.
    • Existing home sales

    • Existing home sales data for September indicate further weakening in the housing market. Sales of existing homes continue to decline, with the pace of sales down to 6.18 million units in September, a drop of 1.9%. House-price appreciation is down again on a year-ago basis; this month down by 2.2%. The months of inventory slipped a bit to 7.3, although this number is not adjusted for seasonal factors.
    • FOMC Meeting

    • For the third straight meeting, the FOMC held the fed funds rate steady at 5.25%, citing slowing growth, especially the weakening in the housing market. Although core inflation has moved higher in recent months, the Fed expects it to moderate. The FOMC maintained its tightening bias, referring to “additional firming that may be needed”. Richmond Fed President Lacker dissented, as he did at the two previous meetings, voting for a 25 basis hike in the fed funds rate. .
    • Household Credit Report

    • Credit quality deteriorated further in the third quarter despite continued strong borrowing. The aggregate dollar delinquency rate jumped to its highest level in over two years. The recent deterioration in credit quality was widespread, although it is being led by auto loans and mortgages. Borrowing in the quarter was led by mortgages and consumer finance. Subprime lending accelerated more than prime lending.
    • Chain Store Sales

    • Chain store sales fell 1.1% in the week ending October 21, fully reversing the gains of the prior two weeks, according to the ICSC. Year-over- year growth dropped to 2.9%. Low gasoline prices and colder than normal weather remained supports to sales.
    • MBA Mortgage Applications Survey

    • Mortgage demand increased 0.5% in the week ending October 20. The increase was solely concentrated in refinance applications, which increased 1.8%. Purchase applications decreased 0.6%.
    • Oil and Gas Inventories

    • Crude oil inventories plummeted 3.3 million barrels for the week ending October 21, according to the Energy Information Administration, against expectations of a 2.6 million barrel build. A sharp drop in imports is to blame. Distillate inventories fell by 1.4 million barrels, also above the 1.1 million barrel draw expected, while gasoline stocks plummeted 2.8 million barrels, far above the 600,000 barrel drop expected. This is a sharply bullish report, and will sustain yesterday's upward momentum in prices.
    • Natural Gas Storage

    • Underground storage of natural gas increased by 19 billion cubic feet during the week ending October 20. This was below expectations calling for a 29 Bcf build. Inventories are now 10% above the five- year average. This report will add bullish pressure to prices.
    • Durable Goods

    • new orders for manufactured durable goods rose a whopping 7.8% over the month in September, a far larger gain than was expected. Nearly all of the increase was due to a surge in civilian aircraft orders. Ex-transportation orders rose 0.1% and core capital goods orders were up 1.1% Shipments fell over the month, while inventories and unfilled orders continued to rise.

  • This Weeks Leads:
  • China Max
    • China Max Investment, Inc. trades as China Max at 103 locations nationwide and in Canada and Puerto Rico.
    • The restaurants occupy spaces 600 sq.ft. to 800 sq.ft. in malls. Plans call for 10 openings nationwide during the coming 18 months.
    • Typical leases run 10 years. A vanilla shell and specific improvements are required.
    • Preferred demographics include a population of 10,000 within five miles earning $45,000 as the average household income.
    • For more information, contact:
      • David Wu
      • China Max Investment, Inc.
      • 3421 North Lakeview Drive, Suite 168
      • Tampa, FL 33618
      • 813-265-3955
      • Fax 813-265-3428
  • Go Roma
    • Go Roma operates six locations throughout IL.
    • The restaurants occupy spaces of 3,000 sq.ft. in malls, urban/downtown areas and lifestyle, power, specialty and strip centers.
    • Plans call for 18 openings throughout the Midwest and West Coast during the coming 18 months, with representation by S.F. Solutions, LLC.
    • Specific improvements are required. Typical leases run 10 years.
    • For more information, contact:
      • Lee Wolfson
      • S.F. Solutions, LLC
      • 707 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 600
      • Northbrook, IL 60062
      • 847-564-7878
      • Fax 847-564-7879
      • Email: [email protected]
      • Web site: www.goroma.net
  • United Colors of Benetton
    • Benetton USA Corporation trades as United Colors of Benetton.
    • The 150-unit chain operates locations throughout CA, FL, GA, IL, MA, MD, MN, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA and Washington, DC.
    • The apparel stores occupy spaces of 2,500 sq.ft. to 3,000 sq.ft. in malls.
    • Growth opportunities are sought throughout the west coast during the coming 18 months.
    • Typical leases run seven to 10 years.
    • For details, contact:
      • Diane Mravak
      • Benetton USA Corporation
      • 601 Fifth Avenue
      • New York, NY 10017
      • 212-593-0290, Fax 212-371-1438
      • Website: www.benetton.com
  • Crabtree & Evelyn
    • Crabtree & Evelyn, a 143-unit chain operates locations nationwide.
    • The stores, selling health and beauty items, occupy spaces of 700 sq.ft. to 1,000 sq.ft. in malls, lifestyle and specialty centers and downtown areas.
    • Growth opportunities are sought nationwide during the coming 18 months.
    • Typical leases run 10 years.
    • Preferred cotenants include Ann Taylor, Nordstrom and Williams-Sonoma.
    • For details, contact:
      • Scott Sincerbeaux
      • Crabtree & Evelyn
      • 102 Peake Brook Road
      • Woodstock, CT 06784
      • 860-925-2761, Fax 860-963-2036
      • Email: [email protected]
      • Website: www.crabtree-evelyn.com
  • Greenberry’s Coffee and Tea Co.
    • Greenberry’s Coffee and Tea Co. operates eight locations throughout FL, NC, TX, VA and Washington, DC.
    • The shops, which offer over 25 types of coffee, 18 loose leaf teas, treats, gifts and a variety of bakery products, occupy spaces of 1,500 sq.ft. in downtown areas, freestanding locations, endcaps and strip and power centers.
    • Growth opportunities are sought throughout northern NJ during the coming 18 months, with representation by Schuckman Realty, Inc.
    • For more information, contact:
      • Ari Malul or Ken Schuckman, Schuckman Realty, Inc., 7600 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, NY 11797; 516-496-8888, Fax 516-496-8905; Email: [email protected]; Web site: www.greenberrys.com.
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  • "Problem-solving" is not planning, and "Planning" is not the same as "problem- solving"

    Effective planning can not be done without addressing the problems that are critical.

    Not all problems deserve attention.

    Some just go away.


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