Report shows charitable giving increased in 2018 among Central Texas businesses

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By Apr.
View this story on Community Impact website.

Nearly 75% of Central Texas businesses supported local nonprofits in 2018.

Another statistic of note, from 2017-18, 43% of Central Texas businesses increased the portion of their budgets devoted to philanthropy and charitable giving.

Those results and more come from the Rodman Report, an annual survey conducted by Austin-based philanthropic advisers Rodman & Associates. This year’s report includes responses from more than 150 area organizations and explores a range of topics, from how companies give to why they give and what constitutes their criteria for support.

A press release quotes Rodman & Associates founder Lisa Rodman as saying the report benefits nonprofits and businesses.

“Every year, the Rodman Report provides new metrics that help companies understand how their giving compares to others in the community,” Rodman said in the release. “The insights are also critical, however, for nonprofits to see how their needs align with the giving priorities of Central Texas businesses.”

The release also states the results in the Rodman Report are drawn from the responses of 152 Central Texas companies that participated in an online survey between Jan. 28 and Feb. 28.

Results from the survey show most companies cited monetary donations and volunteer hours as their primary methods of giving at 86% and 79%, respectively, and the key drivers for public giving in 2018 were community support and public goodwill at 79% and 66%, respectively. Another result within the survey states 45% of respondents said their company provided assistance in 2018 to communities or individuals affected by damaging Central Texas flooding.

The release states Austin Mayor Steve Adler endorsed the report and encouraged local businesses to participate in the survey.

“Austin has a thriving business community,” Adler wrote in an email invitation, according to the release. “That in itself is a great thing, but it’s even better knowing that our local businesses are forces for good in our community.”

For a complete look at the report, click here.

Caption: More than 150 area organizations participated in a survey on philanthropy. (Courtesy BirdsiVideo)

Don Quick & Associates, Inc. Ranked #1 Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Firm in Wilco by Austin Business Journal

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Don Quick & Associates, Inc. was ranked 18th overall in the Austin Business Journal’s list of top commercial real estate brokerage firms for 2018 in the Austin area – and 1st for Williamson County. The companies are ranked by transaction values for sales and leases for 2018. The company moved up to 18th from 23rd the previous year.

Don Quick & Associates, Inc. Complete Rankings:

#1 in Total Transaction Value of 2018 Sales & Leasing in Williamson County

#18 overall in Total Transaction Value of 2018 Sales & Leasing in Austin MSA

#4 in Breakout: Transaction Value: other Client Sales/Purchases for Pad Sites and Land

#5 in Austin Operations: Total Acreage Buy/Sell on Client’s Behalf During 2018

#8 in Breakout: Of Total Building Transaction Values, What Portion is for Multifamily Portion

#8 in Austin: SF of Multifamily Portion

#9 Austin: No. of Multifamily Units Sold

#13 in Austin SF Leased

#16 in Breakout: Aggregated Transaction of Leases

See full list here:
https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/subscriber-only/2019/03/29/the-list-top-austin-area-commercial.html

Link requires a paid subscription to view.

USTA Texas to Anchor $1.5B Cedar Park Project

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By Mar.
View this story on Community Impact website.
The United States Tennis Association Texas plans to bring its headquarters and facilities to the Indigo Ridge mixed-use development announced for Cedar Park, a city located just north of Austin, Texas. Currently, the USTA Texas is headquartered at 8105 Exchange Drive. Cedar Park’s City Council approved a resolution to authorize the agreement.

USTA Texas headquarters will serve as the anchor for this projected $1.5 billion urban oasis development, which will occupy 155 acres at the northwest corner of East Whitestone Boulevard and Sam Bass Road. Upon completion, Indigo Ridge will encompass more than 5 million square feet of retail, dining, urban living, corporate office, hotel, medical, sports and entertainment uses. The tennis campus will consist of approximately 40 outdoor tennis courts, six to eight indoor tennis courts, a stadium court and related amenities for training, development and competitions.

“The USTA is excited to be part of this development and looks forward to working with Indigo Ridge Development Partners to design and develop the facility,” Tom Hunt, president of USTA Texas, said in a prepared statement. The Tennis Center will be owned and operated by USTA Texas.

“With regional employment growth from companies like Dell, Google, Oracle and Emerson, and the massive nearby expansion by Apple, the USTA Tennis Center will be an added draw for future corporate relocations to Indigo Ridge,” added Michael Kennedy of Avison Young Dallas, the broker for the project.

Design firm Gensler created the masterplan for the project, which incorporated outdoor public gathering spaces and multigenerational healthy living communities that complement the USTA program. Construction is estimated to begin in six months and roll out in six phases.

Images courtesy of Avison Young

Treasured Earth Foods Picked Up by Snap Kitchen

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Whole Foods Market Vendor Picked Up by Snap Kitchen

Whole Foods Market Vendor, Treasured Earth Foods, is now available through Snap Kitchen. 

Treasured Earth Foods creates delicious baked goods that taste amazing and happen to be gluten-free, paleo, and, most importantly, diabetes-friendly. Ruth Noel, the creator of the family-run company, explained how the idea for healthy delicacies stemmed from her father’s inability to consume sweets due to his diabetes. Through much experimentation in the kitchen, Ruth’s mother created a truffle that her husband could enjoy without worrying about his blood sugar levels. Eventually and without any medication, Ruth’s father was no longer diabetic. Soon, that truffle, the Chocolate Kika Truffle (named after Ruth’s mother), became the first product Treasured Earth Foods sold at the Sunset Valley Farmer’s Market around 2009.

Ruth, a Texas A&M grad, had previously owned a state processing facility for meat on their ranch called Tesoro Terra Farms, which roughly translates into Treasured Earth Farms. She decided to change paths and started Treasured Earth Foods in 2009, modifying her mom’s truffle invention and creating new healthy desserts. After years of selling their products primarily at farmer’s markets and creating local buzz, the company finally got into Whole Foods Market in 2013 and was even asked to create a brand new product, specifically for the opening of the Whole Foods Market Domain location in 2014.  Later that same year, Whole Foods Market decided to put Treasured Earth Foods in its Southwest region that includes Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Besides Whole Foods Market and Snap Kitchen, you can find their products in Austin at Fresh Plus, People’s Pharmacy, Wheatsville Co-Op and online. 

Treasured Earth Foods currently operates out of their commercial kitchen just north of Austin. Ruth explained how it is a great location for their kitchen because it allows her to make her deliveries on time – especially when they are delivering to different cities and states. She plans on opening a brick-mortar store for her healthy baked goods one day. Learn more about Treasured Earth Foods on their website or their Facebook page

Round Rock poised for more economic growth in 2019

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By   Feb.
View this story on Community Impact website.
More economic growth is on the horizon for Round Rock and the Austin metro as a whole, according to Mark Sprague, director of information capital at Independence Title.“The demand, the desire to be in Round Rock, to be in the Austin area, is higher than any place else I’ve seen in the United States,” Sprague said during an annual economic overview at a Feb. 26 Round Rock Chamber lunch.

In light of a growing list of regulations in Austin and Travis County, Round Rock and Williamson County are increasingly viewed as friendlier to do business, he said.

“My biggest concern with Austin is regulations,” Sprague said. “For every other metro in Texas, the entitlement process is measured in weeks. In Austin, it’s measured in years. That will continue to be a bigger and bigger issue.”

Nationwide, key indicators of the economy—including job growth and gross domestic product—remain strong, he said. In fact, the country is in the midst of its second-longest period of economic growth ever.

If trends continue—and Sprague said he believes they will—in six months, this could be the longest economic expansion in history.

“We will continue to see growth,” he said. “We’re ten years into this, and I’m telling you I think we have five more good years. We’re in a phenomenal place.”

In 2019, Sprague predicts employment growth in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area between 1 percent and 2 percent. Real estate sales will mirror or exceed 2018, he said, with home values continuing to rise.

 

Photo: Mark Sprague, director of information capital at Independence Title, shared a 2019 economic outlook with the Round Rock Chamber on Feb. 26. (Taylor Jackson Buchanan/Community Impact Newspaper)

Artist rendering of The District development.

City Council approves development agreement for dynamic mixed use project

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City entered into MOU with owners of The District in 2017

The Round Rock City Council voted unanimously Thursday, Feb. 14, to approve an agreement with the developers of The District, a 65-acre mixed-use project planned for SH 45 just east of IH 35. The City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with Mark IV Capital for the project in November 2017. 

In return for the company building 1 million square feet of Class A office, retail and residential space, the City will contribute $12.56 million toward public infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks and utilities. The City projects the development will generate over $1.5 million per year in tax revenues to the City when it is completed.  

The development is also expected to create 5,000 jobs when it is fully developed. 

“We are excited to partner with Mark IV on the development of The District in Round Rock,” Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan said. “This is exactly the type of unique project we need in this high-growth area.” 

Mark IV manages the Summit I and recently completed construction on Summit II office projects in La Frontera.* 

“We are very excited about our continued partnership with the City of Round Rock on The District, which is our third project within the community,” said Justin Basie, Regional Vice President, Mark IV Capital. “The District is a dynamic mixed-used development that will combine working, living and retail in one prime location. This is a great opportunity to bring an unmet need to the city and one that will have long-term benefits for the region. We look forward to breaking ground on this unique project, and we are proud to be involved in what will soon be a landmark in Round Rock.” 

According to the agreement, Mark IV would have to reach the following performance milestones: 120,000 square feet completed by 2022; 250,000 square feet by 2029; and 1 million square feet by 2039. Mark IV would be required to repay the City if it fails to meet those performance measures. 

The City will fund the infrastructure improvements with its half-cent, Type B sales tax revenues. Type B funds are limited specifically for economic development projects, including transportation improvements.

“We’re thrilled about this development project, which along with other projects recently completed or breaking ground this year, will unlock opportunity for our growing community,” said Nichole Vance, Director of Business Attraction, Round Rock Chamber. “The District will transform the southern area of Round Rock and will be an ideal location for the types of companies looking for high-end office space in Round Rock.” 

Originally posted by City of Round Rock on February 14, 2019.

View the original article here.

*Links Edited

 

 

Mark IV Expands La Frontera Office Campus

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The new building will be adjacent to the 87,186-square-foot Summit I, purchased by Mark IV in 2013 from Moore & Associates. The asset is the largest office building under construction in the Austin submarket.

by Razvan Cimpean | Jul 21, 2017

Mark IV Capital broke ground on Summit II at La Frontera, a 95,000-square-foot office building in Round Rock, Texas. The asset is the largest office building under construction in the Austin submarket.

PLANS FOR LEED CERTIFICATION

Located at 710 Hesters Crossing Road, the two-story asset offers convenient access to Interstate 35 and State Highway 45. The new building will also be adjacent to the 87,186-square-foot Summit I, purchased by Mark IV in 2013 from Moore & Associates. The project will aim for LEED certification and will include a 10,000-square-foot courtyard with shaded seating areas and parking for local food trucks. Another LEED-proposed development in the Austin area includes Austin Community College’s Leander campus, which was recently topped out last month. Additionally, Summit II will also feature a fitness center and flexible floor plans. 

“The development of Summit II at La Frontera is another opportunity for us to expand our portfolio in the Austin market through the addition of high-quality assets in targeted growth areas,” said Mark IV CEO Paul Cate, in a prepared statement.

Mark IV selected Don Quick & Associates to be in charge of leasing for the upcoming office building.

View the story on Commercial Property Executive

Sanchez brothers discover real estate success — even when competing with each other

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By Jan Buchholz     February 23, 2017

View the story on the Austin Business Journal website

Two brothers from a large Round Rock family have found their career niche competing — and sometimes collaborating — with each other on commercial real estate deals in the retail sector.

Michael Sanchez, 34, of Don Quick & Associates Inc. and Gabe Sanchez, 31, of Weitzman never expected to be in the same business let alone have ample opportunity to work together. But that’s how the plot unfolded.

“We try to do as much business as we can together,” Michael Sanchez said. “Even though we work with competing firms what we do is very complementary.”

They both know the restaurant business inside and out. Michael even attended Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. Their parents operated a Round Rock eatery for years.

“(My parent’s) restaurant was Michael’s Tacos,” Michael said. “I am the first-born so I had the honor of having it named after me.”

When their parents retired, Michael opened his own iteration of Michael’s Tacos in February 2010, but sold it in March 2012 after the death of his mother. After the emotional loss of the family matriarch, Michael took some time off.

Continue reading…

Article photo by ARNOLD WELLS