TUESDAY, DEC. 29, 2009

STATEWIDE:
Foreclosure Mediation Ordered

Thousands of Floridians facing foreclosure will get a chance to mediate their way out of their mortgage mess. In a court order announced Monday, Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Peggy Quince directed state judges to shift future foreclosure cases to "managed mediation." Mediation involves trained third-party negotiators refereeing disputes between lenders and homeowners. The single sessions generally last less than three hours and cost $750. Mediation aims to unclog circuit courts jammed with record-breaking foreclosure caseloads. Judges have dubbed mediation the "off-ramp strategy" to divert court traffic. [Source: St. Petersburg Times]

From Trend:

Editor Mark Howard: Mediation is wise in foreclosure cases

CORAL GABLES:
'Will Work for Carbon Credits!' Says Lawyer

We’re not sure that Florida lawyer Santiago Cueto’s idea will necessarily bring in business. Or do much to save the planet. But right off the bat, we’re willing to give him credit for innovative thinking. Cueto, who runs a two-man litigation shop in Coral Gables, announced that clients of the Cueto Law Group will have the “flexibility to pay up to 20% of their fees in carbon credits.” Of course, clients will still have to pay the full amount charged, but will simply have the option of earmarking 20% of the bill to go the purchase of carbon credits. Cueto has coined his idea the “CO Too” program. [Source: Wall Street Journal]

From Trend:

Florida businesses dabble in voluntary carbon-trading markets

ORLANDO:
Medical City Isn't Helping Tax Rolls

The Lake Nona property in southeast Orlando that is home to the region's budding biomedical cluster and related development planned nearby has produced less than one-third of the taxable-property value projected just two years ago by the project's developer. The Tavistock Group, which owns Lake Nona, forecast in 2007 that the taxable value of its growing medical complex and property just to the north of it would be worth $503 million on the tax rolls that year. In reality, the property's taxable value was $125 million — or $378 million short of the projection. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

From Trend:

Tavistock Group: Meet Joe Lewis, the handshake billionaire
'Medical City' is changing Florida's DNA

MIAMI:
Downtown Facing Office Space Glut

Crave more modern office space? Looking to slash expenses? It's a great time to be a commercial tenant in downtown Miami or the Brickell Avenue financial district, thanks to a glut of new office space that will begin flooding the market next year. The recession already has businesses downsizing or closing. At the same time, there are no new tenants moving into the area and vacancy rates have soared to 15% -- a level unseen since 2004. The future health of a revitalizing downtown area will depend on the ability to absorb as much as two million square feet of new office space. [Source: Miami Herald]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› EPA: UF Will Pay $175,000 Fine [Sun]
Improper disposal of a toxic chemical is cited. Risk of human exposure is low.

› Even Nonprofits Rebuilt New Orleans With Chinese Drywall [Herald-Tribune]
Habitat for Humanity and other charities it supplied built as many as 600 homes using bad wallboard made by Taishan Gypsum Co.

› Did Gifts Grease Path to Law Bid? [St. Petersburg Times]
The chief of staff of Florida CFO Alex Sink recommended the law firm of embattled attorney Scott Rothstein get a shot at representing the state in some potentially lucrative legal work.

› Data: Florida Continues to Lose People to Other States [SP Times]
But this does not mean Florida's overall population, which is also affected by births and international migrations, fell.

› OUC's Solar Electric Plant Draws Dozens of Bidders [Sentinel]
"I was shocked," said Jeff Burkett, president of Applied Solar Photonics, a DeBary company among those vying for the OUC contract. "A lot of people are trying to get into the market."

› Manatee Bank Is Under Orders [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Community Bank of Manatee has joined the growing list of local banks to be sanctioned by regulators.

› McCollum Walking a Fine Line Concerning Differences With Crist [AP]
Attorney General McCollum is considered a conservative policy wonk and Crist is a populist who prefers to think in general terms while leaving the details to staff. Also: The legal case for ousting Jim Greer

› Disney Parks' New Chief Faces Big Challenges [Sentinel]
Chief Financial Officer Tom Staggs formally takes over as chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts this week.

› Some Stuck in Homes Are Opting to Improve [Tampa Tribune]
Homeowners used to add value with new cabinets, countertops and other home projects. Now, real estate agents say, their clients are reluctant to dump money into work that won't add to the bottom line at sale time.

› Condo Associations Turn to Receiverships to Collect Rent on Foreclosed Units [Post]
Nearly 70% of the owners at the Kensington of Royal Palm Beach condominiums are delinquent on their association fees. At the Paradise Cove at Palm Beach Lakes, 48% of owners owe back dues. And at Cypress Estates of Palm Springs, 56% of units are in arrears.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Pasco's New Economic Development CEO Hired to Deliver Jobs [SP Times]
John Hagen said Pasco has "a lot of potential" being a significant part of the Tampa Bay area. It has an established economic base, with some high-tech companies poised for growth.

commentary
› Making the Trains Work [Sentinel editorial]
Rail's future hinges in large part on how a new rail commission does its job.

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Viewpoints interview with Emilio González