NAIOP 5/1/25 by Daily Record & Observer LLC

HONORING OUR BEST OF 2024

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for NAIOP’s Awards Gala, especially Kate Clifford, Owner of Strategic Sites, for winning NAIOP’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The incredible professionals recognized at this event represent many of the top commercial real estate professionals in North Florida and I am proud to call them fellow NAIOP members.

Kirchner,

Peter Anderson, Pattillo Industrial Real Estate

Heidi Jameson, JAXUSA

Justin Markley, CBRE Jake Chamberlin, LAY Construction

Bradshaw, Farther Financial

David Smith, Smith McKee Construction (Board member)

Christian Oldenburg, Ash Properties (Board member)

Katie Kirchner, Strategic Sites (PAC member)

Chris Wilson, Renasant Bank (PAC member)

2025 AWARDS GALA

The NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Northeast Florida Chapter presented its awards for 2024 on April 3 at the Main Library downtown.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor:

NAIOP NORTHEAST FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 2024

NAIOP of Northeast Florida comprises local business professionals and is connected to more than 20,000 members across the country through the commercial real estate industry.

Local NAIOP Board leaders dedicate time and effort to meet with local, state and national officials to address the concerns of our local members with a focus on upcoming legislative policies that may have lasting impacts on the local community as well as future real estate development.

At a local level, NAIOP Board leaders decided in 2025 to partner with Chris Hagan of The Southern Group — one of Jacksonville’s top local lobbyists — to help us address a range of critical concerns related to the city of Jacksonville’s permitting and development review processes. Hagan is representing NAIOP’s interests locally as we

CHAPTER MERIT AWARD COREY SMITH

Native Flooring

work toward meaningful improvements in how our city approaches real estate development.

The key issues we’re prioritizing include:

• Sufficiency review

• 50% rule

• Parking requirements

• Permit extension

• Asbestos policy reform

• The recently introduced 10-day rule

We’ve received input and feedback on what issues members and clients are experiencing with and prioritized the items that we can have high-impact results within a sixto eight-month timeline.

In March, Chris joined NAIOP members at a luncheon to walk through the work that’s been done so far and what

lies ahead. Chris is coordinating meetings with leaders from the city’s building department, key members of the mayor’s office and City Council officials.

Our goal is to provide the constructive feedback needed to improve policies and procedures while maintaining high standards for safety and compliance.

This is a collaborative effort, and NAIOP Northeast Florida is committed to being a constructive voice in the conversation. We’ll continue to keep members informed as these discussions evolve and encourage your continued input and involvement.

Please direct any future concerns or desires to become involved to the NAIOP Vice President of Public Affairs Chairs Wade Powers (wade.powers@vantrustre.com) and Jake Ammon (jake.ammon@franklinst.com).

2024 NAIOP AWARD WINNERS

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

KATE CLIFFORD

Strategic Sites – Clifford Commercial

As Director of Business Operations with Native Flooring, Corey Smith led the company to $1.5 million in sales growth in 2024, including the hiring of an additional 10 people to support additional growth.

Corey supported NAIOP in 2024 with her time assisting on multiple committees and events, including golf and awards among others.

She is uniquely dedicated to NAIOP, volunteering hours wherever she was needed and improving one of our best, longeststanding events in ways that were noticed and appreciated by all who participated.

This award is given to a commercial real estate professional who has distinguished him or herself for outstanding achievement and professionalism.

This award is given in honor of William “Bill” Drennon who was one of this City’s great real estate professionals and ambassadors. His tireless efforts on behalf of the real estate industry and our city were legendary.

Carol Worsham’s unwavering commitment to Downtown Jacksonville has helped shape the city’s growth and success.

With a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades in landscape architecture, planning and urban develop-

ment, Carol’s expertise has played a key role in enhancing our community.

After a long and accomplished tenure, Carol retired as vice president and office principal for HDR’s Jacksonville operations in 2025.

A proud graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, her 42 years of experience encompass business development, office management, quality assurance, project management, land development planning, military facility master planning, landscape architecture and the design of vibrant public spaces.

Carol’s impact on Downtown Jacksonville is both deep and enduring. Appointed to the Downtown Development Review Board in 2012, she served three full terms before joining the Downtown Investment Authority Board in 2018. Over the next six years, she held key positions, including secretary (2020), vice chair (2021), and chair (2022).

For more than a decade, Carol dedicated her time, expertise, and passion to revitalizing our Downtown.

Kate Clifford is the founder of Strategic Sites, a boutique commercial real estate firm specializing in retail/office sales and leasing.

Kate is regarded as one of Jacksonville’s most professional and knowledgeable commercial real estate brokers, with over 25 years of experience serving some of the nation’s top brands including Panera Bread, Sears, Office Depot, Hallmark, Dunkin’ Brands, Merrill Lynch, Fidelity, HR Block and AutoNation.

She also has worked with numerous shopping center owners and developers including Regency Centers, Kimco Realty, Investment Management Associates and Crescent Development. She has received awards for both her professionalism, productivity and contribution to the real estate industry.

Kate earned her undergraduate degree in marketing and finance at Syracuse University and completed her Master’s at the prestigious Hotel School at Cornell University.

She is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Task Force, a past president of NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association), the Board of Realtors Commercial Alliance of Realtors and a Certified Commercial Investment Member Candidate (CCIM).

ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE YEAR

JENN JELINEK

McCurdy-Walden, Inc.

As Director of Business Development with McCurdy Walden, Jenn closed deals totaling $8 million of reroofing, waterproofing and industrial flooring. Jenn was chair of the Awards Gala committee in 2024 and also an active participant on the Golf committee.

2024 NAIOP AWARD WINNERS

DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR VANTRUST REAL ESTATE, LLC

A multiyear NAIOP Platinum Sponsor,

invested $155 million into the development or redevelopment of its North Florida assets in 2024.

OFFICE BROKER OF THE YEAR LUKE POPE JLL

Only counting deals where he was credited for at least 50% of the gross fee, Luke Pope was involved in 56 transactions totaling $308 million in 2024, including finalists Project Bobcat, Imeson Building C and Builders First Source. Luke volunteers locally with Feeding Northeast Florida and is involved in various charitable efforts through JLL’s Florida Gives Back program.

DEVELOPING LEADER OF THE YEAR TANNER LEE Preston Industrial Team

Each year, the VanTrust team chooses a charitable cause to patronize. In 2024 it was CareerSource Northeast Florida, whose mission is connecting workers to jobs and businesses to the talent they need to thrive.

Of its 72 employees, more than half belong to NAIOP. VanTrust employees have served as local chapter presidents, hold positions on the boards of directors for several local chapters, and volunteered on committees for events like ICON East and Government Affairs in Washington, D.C.

While at Colliers, Tanner Lee completed over 1 million square feet of industrial lease transactions and is the current Programs co-chair for NAIOP Northeast Florida.

Tanner also was a 2024 Bus Tour Chair. In addition, Tanner is chair for AMI Kids and a member of the Rotary Club and the Propeller Club.

VanTrust

INDUSTRIAL DEAL OF THE YEAR PROJECT BOBCAT CISCO DRIVE

Anderson-DuBose evaluated multiple locations across Florida and Georgia for this expansion and ultimately signed a $60 million, 165,000-square-foot lease with VanTrust. A $1.5 million Recapture Enhanced Value Grant from the city of Jacksonville needed to be negotiated to facilitate the deal. The cold storage facility will distribute products for a major national restaurant chain, supporting up to 300 restaurants and creating over 100 jobs.

• Anderson Dubose • Norfolk Southern • Marc Munago – VanTrust Real Estate

• Ross Crabtree – JLL

• Jackie Shopshire – JLL

• Guy Preston – Colliers

NEW CONSTRUCTION OR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT OF THE YEAR

WESTLAKE COMMERCE CENTER BUILDING 1

This $38 million, 337,000-square-foot project required that the team navigate strict environmental regulations due to its proximity to wetland areas. The regulatory process delayed the development six to seven months. The site also had to undergo a 12-month rezoning process with the city of Jacksonville. Topographical and geotechnical issues drove a complete redesign of utility locations, stormwater system designs and design grades.

OFFICE DEAL OF THE YEAR CCRM GATE PARKWAY

This $8.6 million, 16,000-square-foot reproductive medicine lease required the installation of an additional transformer and diesel generator to support CCRM’s cryo facility as well as the reworking parking for the establishment of an ambulance area. The deal also required significant coordination with downstairs retail tenants to ensure those tenants would be able to vent through CCRM’s upstairs space. This establishes a significant center for reproductive medicine to benefit the local community.

Critical Parties:

• Jesse Shimp – JLL

• Randall Whitfield – Ash Properties

Totaling 800,000 square feet and coming in at a total cost of approximately $200 million, this renovation at 9000 Southside Blvd. began before COVID-19 and involved five separate buildings, 22 permits, two general contractors and an incredible amount of coordination to ensure that the client could continue to operate during the work. The project can ultimately accommodate upwards of 8,000 people and is targeting LEED Silver. Critical Parties:

Gabe Boeman – Ash Properties

BUILD OUT PROJECT OF THE YEAR JACKSONVILLE OPERATIONS CENTER (CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CLIENT).

Critical Parties:

• Matt Hubert – MWI

• Jeremy Jelonek – MWI

• Dan Croft – ARCO

• Biran Paden – ARCO

• Guy Preston – Colliers

• Seda Preston – Colliers

• Jack Heed- Colliers

• Ryan Vaught – Colliers

RETAIL/MIXED-USE DEAL OF THE YEAR FIVE POINTS THEATRE

As a family-owned property, the team had to navigate handshake leases and a lack of recordkeeping along with public backlash regarding the exit of the local theater. Despite this, the sale of the 42,000-square-foot property closed for $7 million –nearly $2 million above its appraisal value as the team leased 12,000 square feet while under contract. The former Sun-Ray Cinema space will return to its glory as a live music venue in the spring.

Critical Parties:

• Matthew Clark – Colliers

• Sam Middlekauff – Colliers

• Olivia Steinemann – Colliers

Critical Parties:

• Briehn Wildman – RS&H

• Jim Hawkes – RS&H

• Kim Shane – JLL • Jim Klepzig – Auld & White • Noah Polakowski – Marand Builders • Kathy Snowden - CBI

LAND DEAL OF THE YEAR EASTPORT LOGISTICS PARK

Inlight Real Estate bought 135 acres for $27.7 million for what will become a 1.7 million-square-foot industrial park. The project necessitated the construction of a spine road and significant coordination with JEA to secure both near-term and longterm power solutions to accommodate future growth of the park. The abundance of protected species such as gopher tortoises and wetlands scattered throughout the site posed additional hurdles.

Critical Parties:

• David Burch – InLight Real Estate • Charles Margiotta – InLight Real Estate • Guy Preston – Colliers • Ryan Vaught – Colliers

Ken Wilson – LandTecPort