Hanley Investment Group Sells Shopping Center in Trussville, Alabama

Hanley Investment Group Sells Grocery-Anchored Shopping Center in Birmingham, Alabama Suburb

IRVINE, CALIF. – Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors, one of the most dominant retail investment groups and a market leader in the sale of retail properties, announced today that Kevin T. Fryman of Hanley Investment Group represented the seller in the purchase of a 67,325-square-foot grocery-anchored shopping center in the Birmingham suburb of Trussville, Alabama. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Situated on 9.7 acres, the single-building retail property, known as Trussville Marketplace, is located at 445-465 Main Street in Trussville in Jefferson County. Ideally situated on Main Street (US 11), Trussville Marketplace is a prominent, grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping center that features an excellent mix of national/regional credit tenants including: Winn Dixie, Dollar Tree, Domino’s Pizza, Great Clips and The UPS Store. The property was built in 1998 and was 98 percent occupied at the time of sale.

The seller was NC/Trussville, LLC. The buyer was a private investor in Newport Beach, Calif.

“The buyer was attracted to the investment due to the security of the anchors of Winn-Dixie and Dollar Tree, as well as, the fact 86 percent of the tenants had been located at the center since it was built in 1998,” said Kevin Fryman, vice president at Hanley Investment Group.

“The buyer assumed a loan that allowed them to pay down a significant portion of the outstanding balance by the time the loan was due. This was an especially attractive selling point in today’s lending environment where buyers are concerned about future refinance risk,” adds Fryman. “We continue to see a tremendous amount of interest from California investors who are willing to look outside of the state for quality investments due to the lack of inventory and higher returns.”

About Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors
Built on a solid foundation of performance, integrity and dedication, Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors is a boutique retail investment advisory firm with a two billion dollar transaction track record that is comprised of innovative specialists delivering unparalleled service and superior results that consistently exceed client expectations. Hanley Investment Group’s expertise, commitment and unwavering focus of putting the client’s needs first have continued to set the company apart in the industry. Hanley Investment Group works closely with individual investors, developers, and institutional property owners in every facet of the transaction to insure that the highest value is achieved. Clients rely on Hanley Investment Group to be the most knowledgeable and trusted source for valuation services, market information and retail property acquisitions and dispositions. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.hanleyinvestment.com or call (949) 585-7610.

Downtown Long Beach's Newest Luxury Apartment Community Designed by KTGY Opens

KTGY-Designed New Luxury Apartment Community gallery421 Celebrates Grand Opening in Downtown Long Beach

IRVINE, CALIF. - Designed by KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, gallery421 recently celebrated the grand opening of Long Beach's newest luxury apartment community. Developed by Lyon Communities, one of the top apartment companies in the nation, gallery421 is a stylish 291-home community offering five-star amenities and situated within walking distance to dining, entertainment, shopping, parks, schools, and transportation. This is Lyon Communities' third luxury community in Downtown Long Beach.

“Lyon has made yet another important statement about Downtown Long Beach’s appeal as a place to live, work and play,” said Mayor Bob Foster. “It is opening at an important time and will help generate new business for Downtown merchants. We are thrilled to see a best-in-class community open in Long Beach and welcome the lucky residents who will live there.”

The upscale five-story mid rise replaced under-used, aging commercial buildings and surface parking lot and transformed the one square city block to the ultimate in 24/7 live, work, play environment. Recognized for its modern architecture, sleek and sophisticated urban style, resort-style living, gallery421 residents can enjoy the premier location and access to all manner of downtown amenities including world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, cultural events and activities, beaches, employment and services, mass transit options (travel by bike, bus, train, shuttles, planes and boats), stunning views and unparalleled residential services.

Situated half way between Los Angeles and Orange counties, and located on West Broadway, just north of Ocean Boulevard in the heart of Downtown Long Beach, gallery421 offers a business and conference center with Wi-Fi, HDTV and teleconferencing, billiards room, card room and even a special dog grooming room. Residents will also enjoy an on-site art gallery, a coffee bar, yoga and Pilates studio, a private movie theatre, a game room with WiiTM, a state-of-the-art fitness center and an exterior TV wall. There is also 16,000 square feet of on-site street-level retail. The first residents moved in late June.

The community boasts plentiful open spaces, a resort-style pool and spa, barbecue grills, private balconies, concierge services, outdoor seating with a TV and bar area plus fireplace areas with seating and private cabanas. Wi-Fi access is available in all outdoor areas. Pets are welcome, elevator access is convenient, and all residents enjoy private, underground parking with controlled entry access. gallery421 also offers convenient on-site storage and private bike storage.

gallery421 interiors are contemporary and sophisticated with luxurious finishes and designer touches, a rare find amongst apartments for rent in Long Beach. Each apartment features gourmet kitchens with granite countertops, European-style cabinetry, stainless steel appliances including a refrigerator, designer inspired modern flooring, fixtures and hardware, designer two-toned paint, spacious walk-in closets, in-home washer and dryer, high nine-foot ceilings, and dramatic picturesque windows with spectacular views. Furnished suites are available.

“These spacious and exceedingly comfortable apartment homes are open and airy with high ceilings, drawing in a lot of natural light, which reduces residents' utility costs," said David Obitz, principal of KTGY and gallery421's lead designer. "The Interiors are stylish and sophisticated, exuding a metropolitan flair that appeals to the young and young-at-heart alike.

"With the blending of art and amenity-rich, urban mixed-use living, there is nothing like this Downtown Long Beach or in the greater area," Obitz said.


Rents start at $1,750 for a one bedroom apartment. Also offered are one bedroom plus den, two bedrooms and two-story townhomes.

The community is a short distance from famed Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village, the Pike at Rainbow Harbor, Long Beach Sports Arena, Queen Mary, and myriad other dining, shopping and entertainment destinations. Long Beach is also well known for its art scene and the annual Grand Prix, which takes place just blocks from gallery421.

Located near the end of the 710 Freeway, the community is convenient for renters who work in Long Beach, as well as those with jobs in Downtown Los Angeles and central Orange County.

gallery421 is a property of Lyon Communities, which manages more than 11,000 apartment homes coast to coast. The company has earned numerous industry awards, including multiple California Council for Quality and Service "Best-in-Class" honors, as well as the "Best in the Industry" resident satisfaction awards from CEL & Associates, the nation's largest surveyor of resident satisfaction.

Lyon Communities also owns The Lofts at Promenade, which opened last August, and features a rooftop pool and expansive wide-open floor plans. And 1900 Ocean, a premier 18-story oceanfront high-rise, which offers a beachfront pool and 24-hour doorman. The Lofts at Promenade, which was designed by KTGY, earned accolades as a finalist for two prestigious Pillars of the Industry awards and is a finalist for another industry award as Best New Development. Lyon now owns and operates almost 700 luxury apartment homes in Long Beach.

The leasing office for gallery421 is located at 421 W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802. For more information, call 866.992.7454 or visit www.lyongallery421.com.

About Lyon Communities
From luxurious beachfront towers to inviting garden-style neighborhoods, Lyon Communities provides award-winning rental living experiences tailored to evolving consumer lifestyles. Its array of apartment communities comprise of more than 11,000 homes and are located in many of California, Colorado, Georgia and Florida’s most desirable locations. Comfortable design, lush landscaping and exceptional customer service are Lyon Community hallmarks. So is diversity. Lyon’s portfolio includes everything from ultra-luxurious high-rises with amenities rivaling resort hotels to residential environments for the budget conscious. In each community, renters choose from a unique array of spacious floor plans created to meet their needs. Because of its commitment to quality and long-term view, Lyon Communities regularly reinvests to ensure its properties remain vibrant and attractive. The result: Lyon Communities is widely regarded as one of the top apartment companies in the nation. See www.lyonapartments.com.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

KTGY Principals Invited to Speak on Affordable Senior Housing

KTGY Principals to Speak on 50+ Housing Panel in Newport Beach "The Next Generations in Affordable Senior Apartments: Seasons II"
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Stan Braden, AIA and David Kent, AIA to Participate
IRVINE, CALIF. - Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, is pleased to announce that two KTGY principals have been invited to speak at the Building Industry Association of Southern California 50+ Housing Council's program, "The Next Generations in Affordable Senior Apartments: Seasons II," on Thursday, September 16, 2010, in Newport Beach, Calif.

KTGY's Stan Braden, AIA, principal and chairman, will participate as a panelist and David W. Kent, AIA and principal, will serve as the moderator. Other panelists will include Kevin Horner, LEED AP and vice president of project management for MacFarlane Costa Housing Partners, LLC and Michael M. Snowdon, vice president of asset management, also with MacFarlane Costa Housing Partners. MacFarlane Costa Housing Partners just completed Seasons II, an affordable senior apartment community in San Juan Capistrano and the company's first project built to LEED standards. This seasoned development team and their award-winning architect will share with the attendees about "going green," including how they adapted cutting-edge technology to the city's historic architecture and the value (in dollars and quality of life) of sustainable, energy-efficient senior housing.

Braden has over 35 years of architectural experience and has been responsible for the design and planning of many award-winning, LEED accredited, high-density residential, mixed-use, affordable, workforce, senior and campus housing projects as well as continuing care retirement communities including extensive community amenity facilities. A licensed architect in California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico, Braden has been with KTGY since 1992. He is currently a member of American Institute of Architects, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and Urban Land Institute.

Kent has more than 30 years of architectural and construction experience. He has worked with major homebuilders as well as architectural firms; and has successfully run his own design firm. Kent’s technical knowledge of construction brings valuable insight to his architectural designs, which is reflected in the success and awards won by many of the projects he is involved with. He has an extensive background in construction costs, project scheduling and governmental processing. His current focus is working with developers in California, Nevada and Arizona to create exciting new residential communities. Kent serves on the board of the 50+ Housing Council.

Noted as one of the country’s top residential design firms, KTGY has won countless awards for its residential and senior housing communities including the Gold Nugget, Builder’s Choice, Best in American Living, Pillars of Industry, MAME, SAM, Multifamily Executive, Multi-Housing News, Elan, Homer, Laurel and SAGE awards.

The event will be held at the Newport Radisson Hotel, 4545 MacArthur Boulevard in Newport Beach. Registration begins at 7:30 am and the program and breakfast start at 8:00 am. To attend the event, call 949.553.9500 or visit www.50PlusHC.com.

About 50+ Housing Council
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, 50+ Housing Council provides networking, education and partnering prospects for Southern California professionals involved in every aspect of building housing specifically for persons aged 50+ − active adult, “age-targeted,” senior condos, 55+ apartments, CCRC’s, Assisted Living, Alzheimer’s care and more. For more information, visit www.50plushc.com.

About BIA/SC
Established in 1923, the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIA/SC) is a non-profit trade association representing more than 1,800 companies involved in planning and building Southern California’s neighborhoods and communities. Members are involved in all aspects of the building industry, from architecture and green building to roofing and general contracting. For more information, visit www.biasc.org.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

Teams to Create Canned Food Structures at Orange County Canstruction Event at South Coast Plaza

Orange County Canstruction® Event at South Coast Plaza CAN Help End Hunger

14 Teams to Create Huge Structures Out of Canned Food and Donate Cans to Local Food Bank

COSTA MESA, CALIF. - Fourteen teams, made up of local architects, designers, engineers and related industry professionals, will work feverishly throughout the night on Friday, September 3, 2010, after the close of business at the South Coast Plaza, to assemble elaborate structures that are constructed entirely out of canned food items as part of the third annual Orange County Canstruction® design competition and event. Creative and often quite complex, these canned food structures can be as tall as eight feet and as wide as 10 feet. The event, which is being held in conjunction with the ninth annual Festival of Children®, also serves as a food drive for the Orange County Food Bank so the teams are motivated to create sizeable structures that, when de-canstructed on September 26th, will feed as many people as possible.

Awards are given for the Best Use of Labels, Best Meal, Structural Ingenuity, Jurors’ Favorite and Honorable Mentions. This year, a new award was added, "the People's Choice" award. People will be able to vote online for their favorite structure. Judging will take place prior to the Awards Gala, which will be held on Sunday, September 19th, at South Coast Plaza's Garden Terrace, from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. The winning Canstruction® entries will participate in an international competition during next year's Society of Design Administration (SDA) Convention in Las Vegas. The structures, which are located throughout both sides of South Coast Plaza, will remain on display through Sunday, September 26.

The public is encouraged to bring canned food items when they visit South Coast Plaza to view the exhibits. Children can receive a free carousel ride with each can donated at South Coast Plaza concierge counter. After the exhibit, the cans of food from the competition will be donated to the Orange County Food Bank.

"We are very pleased to see so many teams this year," said Orange County Canstruction® Event Chair Louie Garcia, Associate AIA, with Dougherty + Dougherty Architects LLP. "This is the highest number of participants that we have had to date and, with the public's help, we hope to break last year's record and collect more than 60,000 cans for the Orange County Food Bank."

"Many people do not think Orange County is a place with thousands of struggling individuals," Garcia said. "With the economic challenges that we have been experiencing over the couple of years, the number of individuals who are food insecure only continues to rise. There are over 500,000 people in Orange County that are considered food insecure."

Garcia added, "Despite that one out of three architects in Orange County is unemployed and one out of two contractors is out of work, the design and construction industry still wants to do what they can to help and Canstruction is a great way to have fun, show off some amazing creativity and engineering, and help feed those in need. Last year, Orange County Canstruction® brought in over 50,000 cans (35,000 lbs.) of food but this year we are hoping to collect 60,000 cans or more. We know that every can helps."

Companies like KTGY Group, Inc. have gotten their staff, friends and clients involved with the Canstruction® event. "As a company we look for ways to help others and foster fun and team building. Whether it is Build Day at Habitat For Humanity, assisting with HomeAid projects or Canstruction®, we enjoy giving back to the people in the communities where we work, and we have encouraged those that we work with to do the same," said one of KTGY's Canstruction® team members Benjamin Kasdan, AIA, LEED AP and project designer.

"The past year, for our industry has felt like a trip down Alice's rabbit hole, but it seems like the picture might be clearing a bit and this leaves us grinning," Kasdan stated. "So, this year KTGY is building a giant Cheshire Cat out of cans. The structure will contain more than 6,000 cans of food and will be over five feet tall."

In addition to KTGY, the following companies are scheduled to participate in the Orange County Canstruction® event: CH2MHill, Disneyland Design & Engineering, Suffolk, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), LIONAKIS, HPI Architects, FLUOR, Dougherty + Dougherty Architects LLP, HMC Architects, Ware Malcomb, RBF Consulting, MHP Structural Engineers and Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

"We have as much fun participating in the Canstruction® competition as we do admiring the creativity of our fellow Canstruction® competitors," Kasdan noted. "We hope the public will enjoy the displays and want to bring canned food items to donate to the Food Bank."

According to Mark Lowry, director of the Orange County Food Bank, "Since January 2009, the requests for food assistance from the Food Bank have more than doubled, which has stretched our resources beyond our capacity. Events like Orange County Canstruction® go a long way in helping us serve those that are in need, one can at a time."

Lowry stated that last year the Food Bank distributed over 19,000,000 pounds of food. In addition to the 23,000 people that the Food Bank serves directly each month, it provides food and personal care items to nearly 400 local charities, including churches, senior centers, shelters, soup kitchens, and social service agencies. These organizations serve the homeless, disabled persons, seniors on fixed incomes, the unemployed and the working poor. Approximately 18,000 Orange County Food Bank volunteers assist in the sorting, packing and distribution of food.

"Whether it is donating canned items, money and/or your time, you CAN make a difference in the lives of others," Lowry added. See www.ocfoodbank.org.

Orange County Canstruction® occurs every September in conjunction with the Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza. The very first Canstruction® event was held in 1992 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Chapter of the Society of Design Administration (SDA) held a food drive among architectural and engineering firms in the Seattle area. A team of architects and engineers was chosen to build something out of all the cans assembled. Staring at a sea of cans, they decided to make a topographical map of the state of Washington. All of the food collected from the food drive was donated to the Seattle Second Harvest Food Bank, Food LifeLine. Their efforts resulted in a full range of coverage in the Seattle newspaper and the term "Canstruction"® was coined.

In order to generate more enthusiasm for the food drive concept in the design industry, the New York and Denver chapters of the SDA took the concept and tweaked it, turning it into a full-scale design/build competition in 1993. Under this framework, architectural and engineering firms entered teams to compete in designing and building structures that would be judged and awarded. The larger their structure, the more food would get donated.

Awards were given for the Best Use of Labels, Best Meal, Structural Ingenuity, Jurors’ Favorite and Honorable Mentions. To this day, these are the same awards that are given out at Canstruction® Galas around the world.

In 1999 Canstruction® obtained 501(c)(3) status as a charitable organization, with over ten million pounds of food having been donated to aid in the fight against hunger. Typical hosts include local chapters of SDA, AIA, and Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS). Orange County Canstruction® is hosted by these three organizations together. One hundred thirty competitions are scheduled to take place in 2009/2010 so far, with more cities signing up each month. See www.canstruction.org.

South Coast Plaza is located at 3333 Bristol Street in Costa Mesa, Calif. Hours of operation are from Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am - 8:00 pm; and Sunday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm.

About Canstruction®
Canstruction® is an international community service project by the design and construction industry to benefit local food banks where teams of architects, engineers, designers, contractors and/or those professionals mentoring students, associations or business compete by designing and building structures made entirely out of canned foods. For more information about Canstruction®, see www.canstruction.org or the website for Orange County Canstruction® at www.CanstructionOC.org.

Festival of Children®
The 9th annual Festival of Children® is a month-long celebration of the wonders of childhood with activities, celebrity appearances, workshops, performances and fun for kids of all ages. Over 80 children’s charities participate. For more information, call (714) 438-3286 or visit www.festivalofchildren.org.

The Muller Company Completes $13.5 Million Refinance and Signs 84,864 SF of Leases and Renewals

The Muller Company Completes $13.5 Million Refinance of San Diego Office Building and Signs 84,864 SF of Leases and Renewals Valued at $16.9 Million

LAGUNA HILLS, CALIF. – The Muller Company, a full service real estate company specializing in management, investment and development of commercial real estate in the western United States, announced today that the firm has just completed a $13.5 million refinance of Pinnacle Executive Centre, a 110,110-square-foot Class A office building located in San Diego County, and signed 11 leases and renewals totaling 84,864 square feet and valued at approximately $16.9 million. Tom Mattinson of Quadrant Real Estate Advisors of Alpharetta, Georgia handled the refinance.

Located at 10920 Via Frontera in San Diego, Calif., Pinnacle Executive Centre was purchased by The Muller Company, with their financial partner, in May 2007, and is a five-story, Class A suburban office building built of steel and concrete with a stone and glass exterior.

The Muller Company’s new leases and lease renewals bring Pinnacle Executive Centre's current occupancy level percent to 76 percent. The two most significant leases that were recently signed were with On Ramp Wireless and The State of California. On Ramp Wireless, an existing 12,100-square-foot tenant, signed a lease for an additional 7,000 square feet and added six months to their current lease term for a total lease value of $2.2 million. The State of California, Department of General Services signed a nine-year lease for 23,382 square feet valued at nearly $8.4 million.

Pinnacle Executive Centre’s Property Manager Kim Sabre said, “The Muller Company and our leasing team from Colliers International created a very catchy and effective leasing campaign called “AS SIMPLE AS 1-2-3,” which offers a creative rent schedule of $1.00/SF in year 1, $2/SF in year 2 and $3/SF in year 3. This rent schedule also includes a broker bonus of $1.23/SF. We certainly attribute our success in bringing the building to 76 percent leased in such a short period of time to a dedicated team that includes The Muller Company as an owner and our creative leasing team, which includes Gary Williams from Colliers International and Jay Alexander from Jones Lang LaSalle (formerly with Colliers International).

"We all know the challenges of today’s economy, so our focus has been to not focus on the challenges, but instead find creative ways to get around them and get the attention of prospective tenants. The Muller Company understands the challenges that all business owners are faced with today and we continue to put every effort into finding ways to make deals that meet each party’s objectives,” Sabre added.

About The Muller Company
The Muller Company has over 30 years of experience in developing, acquiring and managing a diverse portfolio of over 20 million square feet of office, industrial and retail real estate throughout the western United States, with nearly 11 million square feet currently under management in the California and Phoenix markets. Over the years, The Muller Company has partnered with institutional owners such as GE Capital Real Estate, Capmark, Rockwood Capital, BlackRock, ING Realty and Metlife. Empowered by an entrepreneurial spirit and guided by an owner’s perspective, The Muller Company excels at mining the long-term value from every asset that it manages by adding value, either through leasing, capital improvements, refinancing, operational audits and repositioning. For more information, contact the Director of Business Development, Lori Ann Haigh at 949.460.5380 or visit www.themullercompany.com.

KTGY-Designed Teacher Housing on College Campus Opens

Thompson Dorfman Partners Celebrates Opening of KTGY-Designed Teacher Housing on College Campus
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Sustainable Design and Construction Reuses Surplus Parking Lot to Create Affordable Workforce Housing at Cañada College in San Mateo County

OAKLAND, CALIF. – KTGY Group, Inc., Architectural and Planning, is pleased to announce today that a much anticipated housing development for professors and staff of the San Mateo County Community College District (Cañada College, College of San Mateo and Skyline College) is celebrating its grand opening. Developed by Mill Valley, Calif.-based Education Housing Partners, a non-profit affiliate of Thompson Dorfman Partners, LLC, and designed by KTGY, Cañada Vista in Redwood City will provide 60 high quality, affordable apartment homes for faculty and staff at below market rates, and will serve as an effective recruiting and retention tool for the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD).

In an area dominated by prohibitively high housing costs, this is SMCCCD's second faculty and staff housing development; the first was College Vista built on the College of San Mateo campus in the City of San Mateo. College Vista was also California's first workforce housing project undertaken by a community college district and was so successful that the SMCCCD built Cañada Vista.

Located midway between San Francisco and San Jose, Cañada Vista offers one, two and three bedroom apartments with rents ranging from $975 to $1,600 a month, approximately 50 percent of the current market rate for similar quality apartments in the area. The apartment homes feature spacious deluxe kitchens with gas stoves and Energy Star appliances including refrigerators and upgraded cabinetry, nine-foot ceilings, large picture windows, a walk-in closet in the master bedroom, and all window coverings. Each residence also has hardwood flooring in the entryway, central air conditioning, individual washers/dryers, a linen closet, sliding glass doors, and a large, private patio or deck. Many units have a private attached garage. In addition, the units are wired for computer and internet access and have individual utility meters to encourage conservation.

“Despite the low rental rates for Cañada Vista residents, Cañada Vista offers many of the same well-appointed amenities and features of an upscale, market-rate apartment community,” said KTGY Group’s Principal Stan Braden, AIA, based in Irvine, Calif. “The 60-unit development offers spacious layouts of up to three bedrooms in two and three-story Craftsman-inspired buildings with panoramic views of coastal hills, Silicon Valley, and the San Francisco Bay."

There is also a Clubhouse situated between Cañada Vista’s two buildings. “The Clubhouse is a ‘great room’ complete with a fireplace and is flanked by a kitchen on one side and a game room with a large-screen television on the other. A large covered deck provides a panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay to the east,” Braden noted. Residents can use the Clubhouse facility for parties or dinners, and it can be used for district and faculty meetings.

“The goal with Cañada Vista and College Vista was to create quality, affordable rental housing for San Mateo County's community college faculty and staff in one of the most expensive residential markets in the state,” said Bruce Dorfman, a principal at Thompson Dorfman of Mill Valley, Calif. “By offering attractive workforce housing at affordable rents, SMCCCD is able to recruit and retain valuable college staff and faculty. Cañada Vista is also conveniently located within walking distance to campus classrooms and facilities, providing additional cost and time savings for the residents.”

“By providing housing for our employees, we have a competitive advantage over other colleges in the area who are competing with us to hire talented faculty and staff," said Barbara Christensen, director of community and government relations for the SMCCCD. "We can offer recruited employees first class housing at a bargain price plus a college teaching or support job. Several recruited faculty members who had multiple offers of employment choose to work for us because we offered a terrific housing option. We are just thrilled with the success of both developments and what it means to the district and the quality of education that we can offer our community."

Even before College Vista opened in December 2005, there was a long waiting list of employees who wanted to live there, reports Christensen. Priority for prospective Cañada Vista renters is given to full-time faculty and staff who have never owned a home. “Preference is given to those employees who earn 120 percent of the median income for the area or less,” said Christensen. “Qualified employees can rent for up to five years at Cañada Vista; the idea being that they can set aside money during this time to purchase a home.” The District also has a mortgage-assistance program offering low-cost second mortgages of up to $75,000 to help faculty and staff buy a home.

Dorfman added that despite budget constraints, he believes many school districts around the state and the country still have the capacity to follow SMCCCD's lead. "Cañada Vista is a prime example of a self-sustaining community -- environmentally, socially and also economically. Because of the financing structure and the fact that SMCCCD already owned the land, no district general funds were used for the improvements or operations, as the rents cover operating costs, reserves and debt service. Even with a softening residential market, home prices and rental rates are still well beyond what most starting teachers can afford in metropolitan areas in California, so this type of workforce housing is as vital as ever," said Dorfman.

“Long term, this type of housing supports education and the community, and validates the concept of quality infill development,” stated Dorfman. “Cañada Vista is a model for both successful public-private partnership and workforce housing that can easily be replicated by other school districts and public agencies in areas nationwide with a high cost of living. It also demonstrates how school districts, public agencies and private companies can use underutilized parking lots for housing and protect their open space." Cañada Vista was built on the site of a former 2.75-acre parking lot.

Thompson Dorfman, in conjunction with KTGY, developed a similar workforce housing development for the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD), Casa del Maestro, at a former middle school site in April 2002. Due to overwhelming demand from its faculty and staff, SCUSD built a second phase to nearly double the number of units available.

Thompson Dorfman Partners is an award-winning developer best known for its luxury residential developments. The 10-year-old firm has developed more than $1.7 billion in projects throughout California. Last year, Thompson Dorfman completed 555 YVR, Downtown Walnut Creek’s first transit-oriented luxury residential community, developed with the young professionals in mind. 555 YVR is a stylish, amenity-rich, green development located within walking distance to BART and Downtown’s shopping and entertainment district. KTGY served as the project architect for 555 YVR.

About Thompson Dorfman Partners, LLC
Thompson Dorfman Partners, LLC is a real estate development and investment company. Formed in 1999 by Will Thompson and Bruce Dorfman, Thompson Dorfman focuses on multi-family residential development, with particular emphasis on well-sited, urban infill and mixed-use properties located in high growth, technology-driven markets in California. The principals of Thompson Dorfman have more than 25 years experience in the industry and Thompson Dorfman have collectively developed 10,000 multifamily homes in 40 California apartment and condominium communities. In 2004 they formed Education Housing Partners, a California non-profit public benefit corporation, in order to facilitate development of workforce housing for employees of school districts and public agencies. For more information, please visit www.thompsondorfman.com.

About San Mateo County Community College District
San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) is a three college District located between San Francisco and the Silicon Valley. The colleges serve more than 42,000 students each year and offer the first two years of instruction in a wide variety of transfer programs as well as more than 90 vocational-technical programs. Students can earn either Associate in Arts or Science degrees or receive Certificates of Proficiency in their chosen fields. The community colleges are College of San Mateo in San Mateo, Skyline College in San Bruno and Cañada College in Redwood City. For more information about SMCCCD, visit www.smccd.edu.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

Hanley Investment Group Selling Three Neighborhood Shopping Centers Totaling $112 Million and Closes Seven Shopping Center Transactions in 60 Days

Hanley Investment Group Selling Three Grocery-Anchored Neighborhood Shopping Centers Totaling $112 Million
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Closes Seven Shopping Center Transactions Valued at $40 Million in 60 Days

IRVINE, CALIF. – Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors announced today that in the last two months, Hanley Investment Group has sold seven shopping centers totaling over $40 million and more than 250,000 square feet, and is now marketing for sale three Southern California grocery-anchored neighborhood shopping centers totaling $112 million.

According to Edward B. Hanley, president of Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors, the retail investment marketplace in Southern California has seen a flurry of activity in the past several months causing some excitement in what has otherwise been a very quiet year. "In addition to a few high profile bank-owned properties, we have also seen more equity sellers begin to come to the market with institutional quality shopping centers," Hanley reported. "Although the market fundamentals for retail properties still have some time left to completely recover, look for retail investment sales activity to increase as investors begin to tire of waiting for the avalanche of distressed opportunities that have failed to materialize."

Additionally, Hanley stated that his firm recently negotiated the following shopping center sales in the last 60 days: Grand Covina Plaza in Covina, Calif. (112,200 sq. ft.); Trussville Marketplace in Trussville, Ala. (67,325 sq. ft.); Foothill Promenade in La Cañada, Calif. (42,093 sq. ft.); Rowland Plaza, Covina, Calif. (17,553 sq. ft.); Yorba Linda Plaza, Yorba Linda, Calif. (7,345 sq. ft.); Single-Tenant Red Robin in Apple Valley, Calif. (5,532 sq. ft.); and Single-Tenant Del Taco in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (2,200 sq. ft.).

Moorpark Marketplace, a 336,055-square-foot shopping center located at 800-888 New Los Angeles Avenue in Moorpark, is being marketed for sale for $43 million. Built in 2003, Moorpark Marketplace is strategically located along New Los Angeles Avenue at the intersection of the Moorpark (23) and Ronald Reagan (118) freeways, which connects Simi Valley to communities throughout the greater Los Angeles area. the shopping center is situated on 18.60 acres and is currently 97 percent occupied. Approximately 95 percent of the offering square footage is leased to national credit tenants including Kohl’s, Smart & Final Extra, TJ Maxx, Michaels, Famous Footwear, Baja Fresh, Denny’s, Del Taco, GNC, It’s A Grind, Jamba Juice, Panda Express and Verizon Wireless.

Gateway Village, a 96,959-square-foot shopping center located at 3560-3670 Grand Avenue in Chino Hills, is being marketed for sale for $37.5 million. Situated directly adjacent to the Chino Valley (71) Freeway at the Grand Avenue exit, Gateway Village is situated on 13.86 acres and is currently 91 percent occupied. The eight-building property consisted of three phases. Phase I and II were built in 2003, while Phase III was built in 2006. Approximately 85 percent of the total property’s square footage consists of national and regional credit tenants, which includes Henry’s Market (Wild Oats Market Inc.), Baja Fresh, Bank of America, Biola University, Chevron, Chick-Fil-A, Chili’s, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Edward Jones, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Great Clips, Jamba Juice, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Lindora, Pacific Dental, Pizza Hut, See’s Candy and T-Mobile.

Tesoro Village, a 74,415-square-foot shopping center located at 23820-23892 West Copper Hill Drive in Valencia, is being marketed for sale for $31.5 million. Located in the master-planned community of Valencia in the city of Santa Clarita, Tesoro Village is situated on 7.50 acres. The property is 97 percent occupied and was built in 2005. Approximately 87 percent of the total property’s square footage is leased to national credit tenants that include Albertsons, Bank of America, Great Clips, H&R Block, Pick Up Sticks, RedBrick Pizza, Starbucks Coffee and The UPS Store.

"We have received a favorable response from the investment marketplace so far and anticipate finding a buyer that is not only focused on return but also on owning irreplaceable real estate," said Hanley. "Rarely does the opportunity present itself to purchase three such high quality shopping centers in Southern California."

About Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors
Built on a solid foundation of performance, integrity and dedication, Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors is a boutique retail investment advisory firm with a three billion dollar transaction track record that is comprised of innovative specialists delivering unparalleled service and superior results that consistently exceed client expectations. Hanley Investment Group’s expertise, commitment and unwavering focus of putting the client’s needs first have continued to set the company apart in the industry. Hanley Investment Group works closely with individual investors, developers, and institutional property owners in every facet of the transaction to insure that the highest value is achieved. Clients rely on Hanley Investment Group to be the most knowledgeable and trusted source for valuation services, market information and retail property acquisitions and dispositions. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.hanleyinvestment.com or call (949) 585-7610.

Hodgdon-Miank Construction Begins Renovation of Barstow Mall and Tenant Improvements for New San Bernardino County Offices

COLTON, CALIF. – Hodgdon-Miank Construction announced that it has started construction on the remodel of the Barstow Mall, including tenant improvements for the County of San Bernardino's new social service office for the Transition Assistance Department and Children and Family Services.

According to David Miank, executive vice president of Inland Empire-based Hodgdon-Miank Construction, the scope of work includes demolition and the reconfiguration of approximately 37,500 square feet of space formerly occupied by Sears, to make room for the county's new offices located at the east end of the mall. The tenant improvements should be completed November 1, with plans to be open for business by December 1, 2010.

"We are very excited to work for TT Group, the mall's owner, and the County of San Bernardino," said Aaron Hodgdon, president of Hodgdon-Miank Construction. "The new county offices will add a thriving mixed-use component to the 14-acre Barstow Mall and serve as a catalyst for additional redevelopment."

Hodgdon-Miank Construction's Dan Wallner is serving as the project manager; Thom Duncan of Hodgdon-Miank Construction is the project's superintendent. Peter Ko and Brit Lindberg of Ko Architects of Palo Alto are the architects for the project. Mikes Bowes is the mall owner's project manager. The Barstow Mall is located at 1900 East Main Street in Barstow.

Chris Jaramillo, Vice President of DAUM Commercial, represented mall owner, TT Group of San Jose, in the lease transaction with the County of San Bernardino.

About Hodgdon-Miank Construction, Inc.
Hodgdon-Miank Construction has extensive experience with all types of construction and has active retail, office, private educational and medial projects throughout Southern California. For more information, call Aaron Hodgdon or David Miank at 909.783.3020.

UHC Begins Construction on 42-Unit Affordable Housing Community Designed by KTGY Group

Urban Housing Communities Begins Construction on City's First Affordable Apartments Targeting Families in Big Bear Lake

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KTGY-designed $17 Million Community Offers High Quality, Eco-Friendly Workforce Housing

SANTA ANA, CALIF. — Urban Housing Communities LLC (UHC) is pleased to announce construction of The Crossings at Big Bear Lake, a 42-unit affordable housing community developed in collaboration with the City of Big Bear Lake’s Improvement Agency, Bank of America, and architecture and planning firm KTGY Group, Inc. Upon completion next summer, this new $17 million community will offer healthy, supportive and eco-friendly apartment homes to local working families earning between 30 percent and 60 percent of San Bernardino County median income.

Designed by KTGY, The Crossings at Big Bear Lake will offer 28 two-bedroom two-story townhomes and 14 three-bedroom single-story flats averaging approximately 1,100 square feet. Each thoughtfully-planned apartment home will offer central heat, ceiling fans, a covered patio or balcony, energy-efficient kitchen appliances, washer/dryer hookups, high speed internet access and be wired for cable television. Rents are expected to range from $449 to $1,038 per month, based on family size and income level.

Located on 2.60 acres of land on Knickerbocker Road between Pennsylvania Avenue and Maryland Road south of Big Bear Blvd. (Highway 18), the community will feature a spacious 2,500-square-foot community room, a computer lab, a fully-equipped kitchen, a manager’s office, picnic and BBQ areas, a playground, laundry facilities and landscaped courtyard areas. The community room will serve as the location of a supportive services program provided by UHC’s non-profit partner, Central Valley Coalition for Affordable Housing (CVCAH). Designed to meet residents’ specific physical, educational, professional and social needs, CVCAH’s supportive services program will offer health clinics, after-school tutoring, budget planning, credit counseling, resume writing, computer training, fitness/nutrition classes, and targeted youth and senior activities.

The new affordable apartment community will be convenient to schools, public transportation, shopping, medical services, a public park and recreation areas, and is approximately a 10 minute walk from Big Bear Lake Village, the city’s premiere shopping and entertainment district.a

The Crossings at Big Bear Lake represents a milestone for the City, which is home to over 6,000 full-time residents. While the City does offer some affordable housing, its stock consists mainly of aging single-family homes and one affordable senior community. The Crossings at Big Bear Lake will be the City’s first affordable community targeted toward families.

“Most people know Big Bear Lake as a vacation destination, but it’s also a city that confronts the same issues of housing, healthcare and education as more urban areas,” said John Bigley, Chief Operating Officer of Urban Housing Communities. “A certain level of affordability is required to sustain the local workforce that supports the City’s year-round recreation activities that entice vacationers to the area, such as skiing and snowboarding during the winter and boating and biking in the summer. We believe the quality affordable housing offered by The Crossings at Big Bear Lake will help the City achieve its long-term goals by attracting and retaining both businesses and employees,” Bigley added.

"We are so pleased and proud to welcome UHC and Bank of America to the community as our partners in developing high-quality, family-oriented affordable housing for our work force," said Big Bear Lake's City Manager Jeff Mathieu. "We expect this new, fully-appointed apartment community to be an asset for the City of Big Bear Lake by providing our workforce with the opportunity to enjoy the Big Bear lifestyle in a safe, clean and modern environment without the threat of fast rising rents in the future that will surely price them out of the market as soon as the economy recovers."

Situated adjacent to a new neighborhood of single-family developments and across from Big Bear Elementary School, The Crossings at Big Bear Lake will improve vacant, untended property. “The new residential apartment community was planned and designed to fit in with the image of the Big Bear Mountain community,” said KTGY's Chris Texter, AIA, LEED AP and Principal. “Heavy timber wood details can be seen in the corbels supporting the large roof overhangs that are common in Big Bear. The apartment homes are part of a redevelopment infill and include heavy timber gable end framing, stone veneer and siding. Each building is planned in such a way to respect and add to the current street scene, residences, trees and other site opportunities and are oriented around a central garden, tot lot and community center amenities for the families,” Texter added.

“KTGY is committed to Urban Housing Communities’ mission to provide affordable housing within a community design that is contextual and well designed and meets the needs of its residents. We believe that The Crossings at Big Bear Lake achieves UHC’s vision with these beautiful new apartment homes and architecture that evokes a mountain community. We are confident that families will appreciate the high quality and the outstanding amenities that The Crossings at Big Bear Lake has to offer," noted Texter.

SL Residential, the general contractor for the project, began construction on July 15 and plans to recycle at least 75 percent of construction waste. Other eco-friendly design features include solar panels for generating electricity to the community room and common areas; gas condensing tankless water heaters; Energy Star rated lighting, windows and gas appliances; “Dark Sky” compliant exterior lighting; water-saving fixtures in the kitchens and bathrooms; high-efficiency dual-flush toilets; flooring, railings, furniture, BBQs, and trash and recycling receptacles made from recycled content; zero-VOC interior paints and low-VOC interior finishes and adhesives; building materials that contain recycled content and do not emit harmful chemicals; and bike racks. Early in the design process, UHC consulted an arborist in an effort to preserve some of the existing onsite trees.

UHC partnered with the City of Big Bear Lake’s Improvement Agency in 2009 to increase the City’s affordable housing stock in a manner consistent with the goals of the Redevelopment Plan. The Improvement Agency committed funding through a soft loan and UHC secured financing through the highly competitive 9 percent tax credit program. Additional financing for the project was provided by the Bank of America Community Development Corporation (BACDC), Bank of America, National Equity Fund (NEF) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

The Crossings at Big Bear Lake is UHC’s second project to begin construction in less than 30 days. UHC recently broke ground on The Crossings at Escondido, a KTGY-designed residential community that will feature 55 high quality, affordable apartment homes for working families in San Diego County. Families interested in living at The Crossings at Big Bear Lake, should contact AWI Management Corporation, Inc. at (530) 745-6249.

About Urban Housing Communities

Urban Housing Communities LLC is a "mission driven for-profit" affordable housing development partner of Morgan Stanley and Banc of America Community Development Corporation specializing in multifamily and senior housing facilities in California and Hawaii. UHC was formed in 2003 by executives of SunAmerica and ASL Housing, and has since been joined by professionals from KB Home, CalFed Bank and the California State University System. Together, they have financed or developed over 10,000 units of housing. For more information, visit www.uhcllc.net.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.