SugarOak Announces Acquisition of Spalding Exchange Office Park in Norcross, GA

Herndon, VA - October 26, 2011 - SugarOak, a Virginia based owner/developer of commercial properties, announced the acquisition of the Spalding Exchange Office Park, 55,000 sq ft, in Norcross, Georgia.

Spalding Exchange is located off of Holcomb Bridge and is comprised of eight separate, Williamsburg style buildings. 

“We see tremendous upside potential for Spalding Exchange” said John MacDonell, asset manager for SugarOak. “We will move aggressively to revitalize the property and are confident it can once again be one of the premier office parks within the area.”

SugarOak is a full service real estate company offering investment, management, and construction services across multiple property types. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, SugarOak has ownership interests and management portfolios across the U.S. and Canada.

It's All in the Details -- in McLean, Va.

 At SugarOak, we are committed to meeting your needs with personalized service. The key to our success is a blend of quality craftsmanship, professionalism and a willingness to go the extra mile to fulfill your expectations. 

An example of such was the remodel and addition on a 1920s home, which brought us a new carpentry challenge. While simple in appearance, this beautifully understated arched opening to the porte-cochère was anything but simple. Prior to construction, the architect casually commented that he thought that “any good carpenter could do this,” but we knew that it would take one of the best and most experienced carpenters to achieve this detail.

Look closely and you will see that the cedar shakes are bent in two directions, and that the shakes have varying radius bends. Our site superintendent, a highly accomplished carpenter named Steve, designed and built a custom steam box, fueled by a water filled turkey fryer. He experimented by steaming and bending red and white cedar shakes to see which bent better across the grain.

He then created a custom press box to bend the shakes across the grain and a series of jigs to bend them with the grain. The steaming process started long before the arch was installed, as it took many days to steam and dry small batches of shakes.

Once dry but prior to installation, the shakes were primed on all sides. The arched shakes required slight beveled rips on both sides – a couple of degrees – to keep the joints consistent to the run.

The carpenter started installation at the center and worked towards each corner. Even steaming could not get a shake to accommodate the complex intersection vertical to the arch. Since lacing the shakes was not an option, a mitre was required. The verticals were coped into the arch and back cut to get the tightest possible fit. The arched shakes were similarly coped into the vertical sides. The end result is a stunning sweep of shakes that both curve into and rise up and over across the arched opening.

SugarOak has been building luxury custom homes, additions and remodeling since 1983. We firmly believe that building your “dream” home should be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The SugarOak advantage is our team of professionals who provide an integrated, cooperative approach to the design and construction process.

If you would like more information about SugarOak Custom Homes, please contact Josila Smith at 703 435-9335 or go to http://www.sugaroak.com/



Janet Northcutt's kindergarden class enjoys the new slides at Daleville Elementary School



DALEVILLE -- Daleville Elementary School students have a new way to have fun on the playground. SugarOak Holdings last spring donated seven "like-new" slides from the playground area at the former Daleville Outlet Mall-turned-business park, now known as Heartland Business Center.

Daleville's Parent-Teacher Organization, with $10,000 already set aside to get new playground equipment, was able to refurbish the slides to almost new condition.

With the supervision from American Playground, Eagle Scout Brad Edwards helped organize the installation of the slides last month.

"I just really wanted to help the elementary school kids. I wanted to give them something they could get exercise on and have fun on," Edwards said.

"We haven't had slides for a while, so it's really great to have these. The students really love them. They line up waiting to use them," Assistant Principal Kim Beard said.

The installation of the slides took two weeks, around 20 volunteers and 12 hours of work, and was completed Sept. 17.

"My favorite part is being able to see all the kids playing on [the slides], and know that I made that possible," Edwards said.

175 recently hired for IBM customer service center at Heartland



Heartland Business Center
9301 S Innovation Drive, Daleville IN



DALEVILLE, Ind. — With the recent announcement of IBM’s new customer service center employing 175, the Heartland Business Center is nearly full.

The 220,000-square-foot business center was once an outlet mall and has been developed into a business center over the past several years, said Terry Murphy, vice president of the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance.

About 20,000 square feet remains at the center.

IBM opened its first business center three years ago and is now located both at the Heartland Business Center and in the 63,000-square-foot space it shares with Jarden Home Brands that was once Burlington Motor Carriers’ corporate office.

“IBM is one of the most globally recognized companies in the country,” Murphy said. “For them to have a growing presence here in this part of the country is great. It gives instant name recognition for companies looking to locate here and expand. We are encouraged by the fact that a company of the caliber of IBM has made a substantial investment in this community and continues to grow.”

IBM doesn’t disclose the number of employees at its centers, but the company has about 700 employees in Daleville. The new, trained employees began work Monday.

“This expansion gives us the opportunity to work for future projects,” Murphy said. “Other corporations can see we are a community that has a successful track record. That’s a plus for us.”

The Heartland Business Center is a boon for central Indiana, Murphy said, pointing out it is a great synergy of businesses and a good way to reuse an existing facility.

IBM officials have said their desire to expand locally came from their satisfaction of the local job force.

“IBM opened its first center on Commerce Drive three years ago,” said Kent Holcomb, IBM senior state executive. “(Monday’s) announcement is directly tied to the skill of our employees and superior customer service being delivered in Daleville.”

One of IBM’s consumer electronics customers in Daleville has been given the Call Center Excellence Award North America, which ranks it as one of the top five companies in the country for consumer feedback. The award is sponsored by the International Quality and Productivity Center and is based on consumer satisfaction survey ratings. And company officials have said that IBM’s work for health care providers — the company doesn’t disclose company names — has increased productivity by 38 percent and maintained quality measurement at more than 99 percent for more than 160,000 clients.

Murphy said the Alliance, Delaware County commissioners and Delaware County Redevelopment Commission all were critical to making the expansion happen. The Redevelopment Commission approved the use tax increment financing funds as an incentive to help bring the new jobs and investment to Daleville.

IBM is now one of Daleville’s biggest employers and other incentives could bring its employment levels to as high as 1,000.

In addition to the area’s quality work force, Holcomb said the company decided to expand in Daleville because of the business environment in the area is a positive one and because the first center has been so successful — in terms of productivity, efficiency and customer service satisfaction.

It was a “natural next step forward,” he said.

The employees at the center are customer service representatives providing technical support for consumer electronic products, Holcomb said. The center also provides health care processing directly assisting more than 150,000 clients of a major insurance company so the customers can receive payments on claims.

Heartland Business Center is managed by SugarOak.  SugarOak is a full service real estate company offering investment, management, and construction services across multiple property types. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, SugarOak has ownership interests and management portfolios across the US and Canada

On the Rise to Once Again Become Two of the Premiere Office Parks in Norcross, GA

Norcross, GA- Acquired in April 2010 as part of the newly formed SOF Real Estate Fund, Crossings Center on Holcomb Bridge and Crossings Center on the Parkway are in the process of aggressively being repositioned to once again become two of the premier office parks in the area.  Façade and interior renovations combined with new landscaping and signage are just a few of the improvements.  The recent upgrades and change in leasing strategy have produced results.  Multiple new leases have been completed to date totaling over 32,000 square feet, which equates to over a 20% increase in occupancy, from 48% to 69%.   Twelve renewals have also been completed totaling over 42,000 square feet.  Leasing and management now looks to maintain the momentum through the Fall and into 2012.  Please visit www.crossingscenter.net for more information on the property.     

Exercise your mind and body at the new Paramount Martial Arts Center at Georgian Place

For Master Barbara Hauger, the dream of starting her own school to fulfill the mission of improving lives through the martial arts has become a reality. An instructor since 1986, Barbara has recently taken ownership of the school she previously managed: the new Paramount Martial Arts Center located at 113 Georgian Place in Somerset, PA. The new 3,500 ft. facility has a bamboo training floor and a full-view parent seating area. The building is handicapped accessible with an entrance right off the parking lot. Tonya Spangler, Vice President of Leasing & Sales for SOAR Somerset, LLC said the Martial Arts facility is a great addition to our mixed-use community center comprised of medical offices, professional services, and one of a kind shops.

Barbara started taking Tae Kwon Do classes in 1983, and received her 1st Dan Black Belt in 1986. She achieved her current rank of 6th Dan in 2006 from Master Ted Hillson, South Central Tae Kwon Do Association. Master Hauger teaches this Korean art at the Paramount Center because it provides major physical benefits and healthy releases for everyday stress and tension.

Paramount Martial Arts Center has something for everyone—from tots to teens to adults! The perfectly structured programs help people develop confidence, self-discipline, and respect, as well as improve coordination, balance, and agility. The family that kicks together has fun together as they learn this centuries-old discipline that develops the mind, body, and spirit and encourages a balance of knowledge, strength, and honesty.

The public is invited to a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, September 17, 2011. The schedule of events is as follows:

9:15-9:45 a.m. Tot’s Class

10:00-11:00 a.m. Junior’s Class

11:00 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Celebration Workout (students & guests welcome)

1:00 p.m. Demonstration in the Courtyard (weather permitting)

Paramount Martial Arts Center

Barbara Hauger

113 Georgian Place, Somerset, PA 15501

814-443-4591

814-442-7173

info@paramountmartialarts.com

http://www.paramountmartialarts.com/

For more information, contact Master Barbara Hauger at 814-443-4591, or log on to www.paramountmartialarts.com. Learn self-defense and get a new sense of self.

Come for Fall Family Fun at the Scarecrow Festival

The cooler weather and brilliant colors of fall blanketing the Laurel Highlands once again welcomes the annual Scarecrow Festival at Georgian Place. Scheduled for Saturday, September 17 from 10AM to 6PM, the event, held rain or shine, comes to life through the collective efforts of the various merchants of Georgian Place, Laurel Arts and the Somerset County Farmers’ Market vendors. Admission and parking are free of charge.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy the popular Scarecrow Contest, the heart of the festival. Strolling through the courtyard, festival guests can take in nearly 50 handcrafted scarecrows on display and competing for over $1500 in cash prizes in three categories: 1. Business (open to all for-profit organizations); 2. Non-Profit (including youth groups, schools, churches, etc.); 3. Individual and/or Family. In addition, visitors are encouraged to cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award throughout the day. Winning entries will be announced near the end of the Festival, though all scarecrows will be on display through Saturday, October 2. Groups interested in entering a scarecrow may obtain an entry form and details by calling 814-443-3818. Entry forms due by September 5.

A full schedule of family fun, guests can expect to be delighted throughout the day with festivities including a scarecrow making workshop, pumpkin painting, wandering live scarecrows, a quilt show and sale, a petting zoo, live entertainment and the opportunity to design your own carved gourd. Visitors may also indulge their taste buds in the flavors of the season at one of the onsite food vendors. Another new feature for 2011 includes the addition of crafters demonstrating and selling their wares throughout the festival. Also new to the festival this year, guests may pose for a memorable photo with a giant 200 pound pumpkin!

The scarecrow making workshop, hosted by Laurel Arts staff and volunteers, teaches participants how to create a unique, life-size scarecrow to take home just in time for the autumn season. All scarecrow building materials are included at a nominal fee, with proceeds to benefit Laurel Arts. No reservations are needed for this first-come, first-served activity. Laurel Arts, a local non-profit organization, works to foster the visual and performing arts in Somerset County.

Pumpkin painting will take place on the courtyard from 11AM until supplies run out. Brushes, paint and pumpkins, locally grown by vendors of the Somerset County Farmers’ Market, will be provided free of charge for children 12 and under. The Farmers’ Market will also be open during the festival between 9AM and 1PM, where you’ll find quality, farm fresh goods at reasonable prices, including beef, pork and lamb, vegetables and fruit, plants, honey and maple products and baked goods.

Meadowbrooke Gourds, specializing in raising, drying and crafting gourds for all seasons at their farm in Carlisle, PA, will be joining the festivities for the first time this year. Visitors will have a chance to select a dried gourd of their choice and then come up with a one-of-a-kind design, limited only by imagination. Meadowbrooke’s very best craftsmen will be on hand to carve the design into the gourd. All ages and levels of artistic skill are encouraged to try this activity! Gourd prices range from $5 and up.

The 2011 Scarecrow Festival is co-sponsored by Somerset Trust Company and Georgian Place. For more information or a complete schedule of the day’s events, call 814-443-3818. Check out the 2011 Scarecrow Festival at Georgian Place fan page on Facebook for regular updates and news about the event.

Currently seeking vendors—crafts, pottery, jewelry, folk art, metal & wood, florals, textiles, food and more. Please call 814-233-9959 or 814-701-2064 for details and to reserve a space.