North Florida’s top 7 startup finalists will compete for a $10,000 grand prize
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (PRWEB) March 05, 2020
For the third year, the Startup Challenge team – a collaboration between Signet LLC, the law firm of Brennan, Manna & Diamond (BMD), and Starter Space – is hosting its annual Shark Tank-style pitch competition on a date yet to be determined at the Adam W. Herbert University Center in Jacksonville.
This year the Startup Challenge, which originated in 2018 in support of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Gainesville, is expanding its footprint by making its debut in Jacksonville, FL on the campus of University of North Florida. Entrepreneurs, students, and investors from throughout North Florida are invited to network with each other and support the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
After narrowing the field with a review process of four months, the top 7 finalists have been announced:
EaseAlert: Technology to reduce stress and improve efficiency for firefighters easealert.com
Evren Technologies: Working to advance the treatment of neuropsychological issues through discreet, wearable products that fit into your daily life. evrenvns.com
FaceR: Facial recognition solution to unlock doors
Phlex: A device that is revolutionizing the way you train, measure progress, and enjoy every swim. phlexswim.com
Podcast Central: A full-service podcast production and consultation company. podcastcentral.net
Prked: Connects drivers in need of parking with people who have available parking spaces. prked.com
Scoot Scoot: A rent-to-own scooter company. scootscoot.today
These startup founders will pitch in front of a group of experienced investors to compete for a $10,000 grand prize, $2,500 runner up, $1,500 top student prize, and $250 audience choice award.
This year’s expert panel of judges will include Tony Manna – Signet LLC founder and chairman, Joel Maas – Director of Marketing at Signet LLC, Audrey Wallace – Marketing Strategist at Signet LLC & Entrepreneur, Payal Khurana – Managing Partner of Starter Space, Matthew Jackson – Attorney at BMD, and Darren Jones – Attorney at BMD.
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About Signet LLC
Signet brings an innovative, unconventional approach to global investment that embodies creativity and forward thinking to achieve long-term success. With leadership and expertise in the areas of project structuring, capital formation, operational investment and management, we tailor strategy and resources to meet each unique opportunity. Boundless in ideas and tactics, Signet has spent 20+ years crafting collaborative partnerships that advance initiatives in real estate, diversified manufacturing, health and wellness, emerging technologies, investment banking and finance. Learn more at https://www.signetllc.com/.
About Startup Challenge
The Startup Challenge brings together the brightest minds from across North Florida to collaborate and compete for cash prizes and bragging rights as North Florida’s best startup. Learn more at http://startupchallenge.org/
Signet LLC’s family of graphic arts operating companies has expanded throughout the Midwest over the past five years with the acquisitions of Riverside Group in New York (‘15), PSSC in Massachusetts (‘15), BindTech in Tennessee (‘17), and Specialty Bindery in Tennessee (‘19). As of September 2019, their growth has expanded west with the acquisition of Arizona-based Roswell Bookbinding.
Roswell Bookbinding has nearly 70 years of excellence in the trade with a one-of-a-kind combination of the latest high-speed technology and old-world hand binding craftsmanship. This allows the bindery to accomplish projects that no one else in the country can do, such as specialized restoration/conservation, short runs, prototype, luxury packaging, unique materials, and oversized projects.
“By adding Roswell Bookbinding to our family of post-press service companies, we grow deeper and wider in our service offering,” said Chad Dillon, vice president of operations and sales at BindTech. “It is not just continued business as usual for Roswell Bookbinding clients. Together, we combine our strengths and minimize our weaknesses to gain further reach, more capacity, disaster planning, shared logistics, and the best service to our marketplace for all their needs.”
Signet LLC will maintain Roswell Bookbinding’s strong brand equity as well as their entire team, including president, Mike Roswell. Roswell is the second-generation leader of Roswell Bookbinding and looks forward to the expansion of resources in the partnership.
“The timing was right and my comfort level with the vision of Signet leadership made it a no-brainer,” Roswell said of the acquisition. “The Signet LLC team is honest, aggressive, and knowledgeable. Having them as a sounding board and being part of something bigger is a smart step forward for my company and my loyal clients.”
Roswell Bookbinding was established in 1960 in Phoenix, Arizona, by Mark and Iris Roswell. The original focus of the company was on Library Binding, with binding service initially provided to private and public libraries statewide in Arizona. Edition Binding was added in the late 1960’s, and the family-owned business has grown steadily over the past five decades. Mike Roswell, the son of the founders, has been involved in the business for 40 years, expanding it both nationally and internationally.
With the acquisition comes the Arizona-based facility, taking the current total footprint of the Signet LLC graphic arts group to 350,000-sq.-ft. in manufacturing and warehousing and over 250 employees nationwide. This depth leads to a strong pool of talent, abilities, and bench strength within Signet LLC.
“The post press production industry is experiencing consolidation, but we know that it will never go away,” said Anthony (Tony) Manna, chairman of Signet LLC. “Partnering with strong and well-respected industry leaders like Roswell Bookbinding with unique craft expertise keeps us at the forefront of this critical market.”
Co-owner and CEO of BindTech, John Helline, expressed his vision for the future. “This industry is evolving, and our firm will remain out front because of our innovative philosophy for growth and continuous expansion of reach by partnering with the best in the industry, such as Roswell Bookbinding.”
Dealmakers are keeping a watchful eye on China’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, says Signet LLC’s Anthony Manna.
“When SARS came around (in February 2003), China had about 4 percent of the global supply chain,” says Manna, founder, principal and chairman at the global private investment firm. “Now they have 16 percent, and you see this massive stimulus package being put in place to combat the coronavirus problem. China has already announced that they’re going to have more stimulus packages.”
According to MarketWatch, more than a third of all earnings calls held between Jan. 1 and Feb. 13 included the term “coronavirus.”
“It is possible that there will be an increase in the number of companies issuing negative guidance later in the first quarter as these companies gain clarity on the impact,” FactSet senior earnings analyst John Butters said in the story.
As the Chinese government continues to grapple with the impact of the coronavirus within its borders, the disease’s impact on the U.S. economy has been negligible.
“Deals are happening left and right,” Manna says. “We’re doing them, and I know plenty of other people are, too. In the short run, the coronavirus is definitely affecting dealmaking and how global trade is done. But so far in the U.S., I haven’t seen it.”
Dealmakers caught up with Manna to talk about current trends that could impact dealmaking activity.
Easy money
One of the factors that continues to drive deal volume stateside is the affordability of capital, Manna says.
“The 10-year Treasury note has dropped from roughly 1.9 percent to 1.5 percent,” Manna says. “It’s just incredible how cheap this money is. But it’s a seller’s market, so you’re paying a lot.”
He says buyers used to pay between four and six times EBITDA for many standard manufacturing companies.
“Now it’s maybe seven to nine times EBITDA, depending on the location,” he says. “You have to have the right business plan, but once you have it, getting capital is the least of your problems.”
The challenge for dealmakers is to continue to make smart, informed decisions that lead to deals that look just as good in the future as they do today.
“When you buy a company, are you going to overpay?” Manna says. “You see a lot of companies looking at this expansionary period and thinking, ‘Even if we have to overpay, that’s going to be OK because when it begins to contract, we’ll be able to survive.’ For a lot of these large companies, and even the middle market, they see an opportunity to consolidate. Then when the inevitable recession or contraction occurs, they’ll be the survivors and the little guy will be out.”
Inform your decisions
Manna has spent more than 20 years outthinking the competition and creating collaborative partnerships to advance initiatives and ventures in real estate, property management, diversified manufacturing, distribution, health and wellness, technology, investment banking and finance. Under his leadership, Signet has structured, engineered and managed more than $7.5 billion in financial project funding.
His philosophy on evaluating opportunities has remained relatively unchanged.
“I don’t know if we really have goals as much as we always have the same kind of businesses that we look for,” Manna says. “We focus on good opportunities or good businesses to acquire, whether it’s new opportunities or strategic acquisitions. Once you get them, do you have the talent inside them to make sure they continue to grow, or, if it’s a strategic buy, can they culturally fit in with your current operations? We pretty much follow the same game plan.”
Regardless of the type of deal, Manna says the best way to ensure the long-term success of a transaction is to get people involved in the deal.
“We always believe in giving all of our management team ownership opportunities,” Manna says. “I’m a believer that your key management people need to be involved not just in running the company, but also as an investor or owner. When we’re doing deals, we don’t really have a problem with this because there are a lot of people out there who are very interested in these opportunities.”
Read the original article on Smart Business Dealmakers here
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 13, 2019) — The planned transformation of property at South Limestone Street and Winslow Street — what is now referred to as the Winslow Project — is moving quickly.
So much so, that University of Kentucky officials, along with the institution’s real estate partner, launched a community and campus-wide naming contest for the property that will be the cornerstone of an innovation district that further links the university and the city.
The Winslow Project, which was originally announced and approved by UK’s Board of Trustees in February, supports the university’s future in technology, entrepreneurship, education, creativity, service, and research, while working hand-in-hand to make strides in the university’s Transportation Master Plan.
The property will include over 900 new parking spaces and 23,000 square feet on the ground floor dedicated to:
Retail space, which will include a food hall focused on local eateries and craft beer, and
UK innovation space.
UK is working with Signet Real Estate Group, one of the country’s leaders in higher education public-private-partnership (P3) real estate developments, to develop the property.
“Our community is built on collaboration, and without the design, development, and construction teams in partnership with Signet Real Estate, none of this would have been possible,” said President Eli Capilouto. “The Winslow Project is another way we have furthered our commitment to our campus and the city of Lexington and is another step toward creating a campus that will better serve the needs of our students, faculty, staff and Commonwealth.”
Serving as a multifaceted, multi-purpose space, the project will be another space on campus where ingenuity and creativity unfold. The variety of elements it will cover include serving as a home for UK esports (with a planned esports theater and gamers’ lounge) and flexible innovation space.
The idea is to leverage the open-format space and use of technology to maximize student success, enhance a sense of community, bring together the university and community to foster outcome- and solution-driven thinking and design, connect people with different passions and interests, and provide new pathways for career development in the entrepreneurial fields.
Through the P3 with Signet, the project is expected to open in Fall 2020, furthering the momentum of the university’s growing campus. The Winslow property will be a cornerstone in a planned innovation district or corridor that includes the College of Fine Arts’ Bolivar property and a planned development by the College of Design at the old Reynolds property.
Spencer Hyatt, vice president of Signet Real Estate Group, said, “It has been our great pleasure to partner with the University of Kentucky on this exciting project. UK is one of the very best partners Signet has in our nearly 25 years working in higher education development.
“We look forward to continuing our collaboration in the ground floor retail areas where Signet will deliver a truly unique food hall focused exclusively on local retailers. This environment will encourage ‘Campus to Community,’ including coffee, bar service, and culinary fare. We look forward to announcing our first tenants for this retail destination in the very near future.”
To further involve the community in this new project, the university is holding a naming contest, allowing the public to vote on their favorite name for the Winslow Project, Capilouto announced Wednesday. To do so, faculty, staff, students and community members can visit www.uky.edu/winslow to choose one of six names suggested for the property that best conveys the potential of the structure.
The names — and rationales for each name — include:
The Cornerstone (At UK)
The Wheelhouse (At UK)
UK Idea Market (UKIM)
The Upper Level
The Gateway (At UK)
The Converge (At UK)
The point at which the sum of our parts becomes our best concepts and ideas.
Voting for the name of the new building will take place through Friday, Dec. 6.
“As a student, I’m excited about the promise this development holds as a place where students can work and play and imagine, together with the community, what is possible,” said Brianna Ritchison, a UK senior and member of the esports club at UK. “My hope is that this space will be a place that ignites the passions of students, that helps us see that our aspirations can be reality and that helps drive an understanding that with work, imagination and persistence, anything is possible.”
Retail, food hall with coffee, craft beer coming to street near University of Kentucky
Retail, food hall with coffee, craft beer coming to street near University of Kentucky
Property on South Limestone Street and Winslow Street that formerly housed Kennedy’s Book Store will soon be converted to retail space as well as the University of Kentucky esports hub.
Tentatively called the Winslow Project, the property will include more than 900 new parking spaces and a food hall featuring local eateries, craft beer and coffee, the university announced Wednesday.
“The Winslow Project … is another step toward creating a campus that will better serve the needs of our students, faculty, staff and commonwealth,” UK President Eli Capilouto said.
The 23,000 square-foot property will include 15,000 feet of retail space Retailers for the property have not been announced.
Spencer Hyatt, vice president of the Signet Real Estate Group that partnered with the university on the project, said the food hall will focus exclusively on local restaurants.
“This environment will encourage ‘Campus to Community,’ including coffee, bar service and culinary fare,” he said. “We look forward to announcing our first tenants for this retail destination in the very near future.”
The space has a “groundbreaking design” and will provide a retail and learning destination for students, faculty and staff and the Lexington community, Signet’s Anthony Manna said Wednesday.
The project is expected to open in fall 2020 and will also be used as the home for the university’s esports program . Capilouto said the space will provide academic and creative support for students and will help solidify the university’s role in the growing esports industry.
Brianna Ritchison, a UK senior and member of the university’s esports club, has high hopes for the property, which will include an esports theater and gamers’ lounge.
“My hope is that this space will be a place that ignites the passions of students, that helps us see that our aspirations can be reality and that helps drive an understanding that with work, imagination and persistence, anything is possible,” she said.
The public can vote on the name for the new property. The names include The Cornerstone, The Wheelhouse, UK Idea Market, The Upper Level, The Gateway and The Converge. Voting will take place through Dec. 6 on uky.edu/winslow.
Kennedy’s Wildcat Den, which was a stable of the South Limestone and Winslow Street corner for 67 years, was demolished in April. Formerly known as Kennedy’s Book Store, the family-owned business decided to close following the fall 2017 semester after sales went “down, down, down,” general manager Carol Kennedy Behr said.
The university tried to acquire the land for years and succeeded in 2017 when the UK Board of Trustees voted to approve a land swap with a private developer. The land that Core Campus Investment Partners received in return was a 150-space parking lot on Jersey Street along with several parcels the university owned on Virginia Avenue and Limestone.
Last month, UK announced a partnership with a company called Gen. G to build a global gaming and esports program centered at Winslow and Limestone. The university already had an esports club, and the partnership allows it new ways to recruit students and expand classroom and internship opportunities.
“The partnership will emphasize access to opportunities for all University of Kentucky students,” UK’s press release noted. “Gen. G, for example, has been a leader in working to diversify esports, launching the first all-female Fortnite team. Gen. G and UK are both focused on issues of equity and greater inclusivity.”
UK leaders give update on Winslow Street development
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The University of Kentucky is closer to seeing a rendering of an incoming building become a reality.
Construction began on what is referred to as the Winslow Project about six months ago at the corner of Winslow Street and South Limestone.
Now, developers are releasing more information about what will be inside.
“The e-sports area will contain both a 100-seat theater, where we can host tournaments as well as other events on campus, and a more casual gamer’s lounge,” says Executive Director for Strategic Analysis and Policy for UK, Melody Flowers.
But there’s more to the project than e-sports: the development will also have a food court featuring local and regional cuisine, along with a bar.
Most importantly, for many students, it will be additional parking.
“The addition of 900 plus new parking spaces in this development is a huge piece of our transportation master plan,” says Flowers.
Flowers also spoke about the ultimate goal of the project.
“This is a space focused on technology, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation where our students and faculty and staff will have the opportunity to deliberately and intentionally engage with community partners and business partners working on problems they want to solve on campus and in the community.”
From L to R: Brianna Ritchison, student and member of UK Esports Club; UK President Eli Capilouto; Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilmember Amanda Bledsoe, and Tony Manna
COLUMBUS – A new 163-unit apartment housing project in the University Circle area of downtown Cleveland and serving the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and Cleveland Clinic communities will utilize $4 million in clean air financing from the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) for energy-efficient equipment to provide a healthier building and environment. OAQDA issued the bonds on today as part of the financing package for this project.
“The Authority works with a variety of projects with the goal of protecting and preserving the air we all breathe. This project impressed the Authority with its focus on the building’s increased energy efficiency to improve the environment as well as the strength of local community support to achieve the added benefits in this neighborhood,” Christina O’Keeffe, OAQDA Executive Director, said.
The project includes improvements to the efficiency of the energy systems of the building that result in greater energy savings than otherwise have been built. These improvements include the heating and cooling systems, domestic hot water heaters, and applicable low-flow plumbing fixtures along with more energy-efficient appliances and an elevator system. The project is expected to create up to 10 new jobs.
Akron-based Signet Real Estate Group, a privately held full-service real estate organization, will develop, finance, own and manage the 143,000 square foot housing and street-front retail building at the corner of Hough Ave. and Ansel Rd, which has been branded as Axis at Ansel.
“We are excited about this partnership with OAQDA to create a modern, safe and clean living environment in this community using equipment that will conserve energy resources and costs,” David Fumi, managing director, Signet Capital, LLC, said.
The property owner opted to include Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) as part of the transaction with their lender. Cuyahoga River Capital will provide a loan for the energy improvements and will purchase the bond issued by OAQDA as part of the financing package. PACE enhances the financial transaction by securing the energy-saving equipment and measures to the building through a voluntary assessment from the property owner.
Signet will fund $885,200 for the right to develop the site. The City of Cleveland will utilize the $885,200 to improve approximately 1.71 acres of land adjacent to the project site into the new Orr Park. These new City park improvements will be a differentiating benefit to the project, building residents and the community.
Signet will also lease the 2.68 acres of land for the building from the New Village Corp., a subsidiary of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress community development corporation. Fumi said Signet’s initial payment and subsequent lease payments will provide additional funds to create a neighborhood land trust and will result in additional real estate development projects.
The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) is a non-regulatory government agency created to help Ohio businesses comply with clean air regulations. Since its creation in 1970, the Authority has provided technical and financial help to hundreds of large and small Ohio businesses, awarding more than $8 billion to finance air quality projects. For more information about OAQDA and its services, please visit its web site at www.ohioairquality.org.
In partnership with the University of Kentucky (UK), Signet Real Estate Group has broken ground on a mixed-use parking facility in Lexington that includes over 900 new parking spaces and over 23,000 square feet of Innovation & Retail Space that will revitalize one of the main corridors into the UK campus.
The P3 (public-private-partnership) project is the first step in accomplishing the University’s vision of transforming this critical entrance to campus into a hub for innovation that will better serve the needs of students, faculty, staff and the community. The University anticipates that the project will anchor its programs in applied technology and creative development within a larger “innovation district,” where UK will partner with the City of Lexington to invest in the adaptive re-use and re-imagination of this historic area.
“There is a tremendous opportunity here to leverage the momentum we have as a University to expand what we are doing in partnership with the community, make progress on the University’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP), and serve our campus while looking toward the future of innovation, creativity, problem solving, education and research,” said Eric N. Monday, UK’s Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration.
Jason Perry, President of Signet Real Estate Group, said, “We are excited to partner with the University of Kentucky to deliver this forward-thinking project and achieve its vision for this corridor into campus. This facility will help address the University’s parking demands while transforming the edge of campus into an innovative destination for students, faculty, staff and the Lexington community as a whole.”
The ground floor of this mixed-use facility will house the innovation center and retail components. Plans for the University’s innovation center, which will serve students, the UK campus, and the greater Lexington community, are underway and may include application development, technology partnerships, design thinking studio space, and e-sports initiative components. The innovation center and retail area will be managed in partnership between Signet and UK, and the parking will be managed as part of UK’s campus operations.
Financing for the project, provided by Signet in collaboration with UK, closed in early July. “This project is a true example of a public-private partnership where the collaborative efforts by all project stakeholders helped achieve optimal results. We work on higher education projects across the country and this stands out as a testament to what can be achieved through a P3 structure,” said Spencer Hyatt, Vice President of Signet Real Estate Group.
The project is due to be completed by Fall 2020.
About Signet: Signet Real Estate Group, a Signet LLC company, is a full-service development and project management firm in the areas of higher education, health care, research, and public-private partnerships. The company transforms complex development challenges into collaborative opportunities through a creative, flexible, and customized approach. Since the firm’s inception, Signet and its family of companies have successfully managed and currently have in progress more than $5 billion in real estate development and construction throughout the U.S. More information on Signet can be found at signetre.com.
About UK: UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky.
Creative Polymer Solutions (CPS), the Alabama-based specialty chemical manufacturer, has announced the hire of a new senior-level executive. David Mulkey has been named the new Vice President of Product Management.
Mulkey brings with him an extensive background in formulating polyurethane foam and coating systems, acrylic PSA, and polyurea chemistries. He has both a B.S. Degree in Polymer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and an M.S. Degree in Polymer Science from the University of Akron. David’s experience includes a previous role as Senior R&D Scientist at Invista working on Aromatic Polyester Polyol Product Development for use in rigid polyurethane foam applications. He was also Senior Chemist at Isotec International Inc. Most recently, Mulkey served as Technical Director at Premium Spray Products from 2011 to 2016, and TS&D Scientist at Dow Chemical from 2016 until earlier this month when he accepted the position with CPS.
“We couldn’t be more excited about David coming on board,” says Mark Corr, President and COO of CPS’s parent company, Signet LLC. “He brings a high level of quality, expertise, and experience to CPS, specifically in the areas of chemical process management, product development, management, and supply chain.”
Mulkey was hired to be CPS’s focal point for developing and managing its brand offering and product lineup, which will continue as grow as the company introduces new products to the marketplace over time. CPS currently has several products in its stable that have been very popular for clients, including Airlok 45 and Airlok 170. Mulkey looks forward to building on its current product base and continuing to innovate new products and applications.
Mulkey will also head up supply chain responsibilities for CPS, which according to Corr makes him the perfect fit because of his unique background providing him with extensive experience working in every facet of the chemical manufacturing supply chain. He hopes to make his mark on CPS by introducing the management techniques and procedures he has learned and implemented at much larger companies.
“I’m excited to be able to step out of the lab and be a part of a senior leadership team with a growing company with passionate people,” says Mulkey. “CPS is a much smaller, focused environment than what I come from, and I am looking forward to the change. This role will allow me to work with smaller teams and be more nimble with our approach to product development and operations. I’m most excited about the opportunity to partner with CPS’s already talented chemists to lead real innovation in this industry.”
Creative Polymer Solutions will move into a new, larger plant in Birmingham in the last quarter of 2019, which will allow for greater capacity for the company which has seen dramatic growth since its inception in late 2015.
“We are systematically putting in place the foundation for what will be a world-class chemical manufacturing company in CPS, which we believe will quickly become a force in this industry,” says Corr. “We look forward to attracting and adding more high-level expertise and talent to the company in the coming months.”
Tony Manna provides insight to Dealmakers on Signet’s business approach and philosophies
Signet LLC’s Chairman, Tony Manna, and Signet Capital Advisors’ Managing Director Mike Paparella are excited to participate as panelists for the biggest Cleveland dealmakers event of the year –ASPIRE DEALMAKERS CONFERENCE!
Join them and other deal makers on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at The Renaissance Cleveland Hotel for a day of dynamic discussions and one-on-one networking.
Every year ASPIRE connects more than 400 of Northeast Ohio dealmakers, including middle-market CEOs, top PE and VC firms, major lenders and leading service providers. With sessions ranging from raising capital to buying and selling companies to liquidity events, ASPIRE covers the breadth of the M&A landscape.
This year, Tony Manna will a panelist in the session entitled, “Targeted Sales: How to determine to whom to sell your business”, in which…“active investors, entrepreneurs and business owners explore a key question any owner wrestles with when it comes to selling the company: To whom should I sell? They’ll explain how to conduct a detailed analysis of strategic buyers, private equity, investors, and even your management team, to identify the best fit for your company’s future”.
Mike Paparella will be a panelist in the session entitled, “Pre-, During and Post-Liquidity: What you need to know”, in which…“Entrepreneurs, wealth managers and M&A advisers take a look at best practices and mistakes made when preparing for — and completing — liquidity events”.
The Village of St. Edward, the longtime senior facility in Fairlawn, and Signet Real Estate Group recently celebrated the opening of a new site in Wadsworth.
Signet Real Estate Group, a unit of investment and development firm Signet LLC of Akron, is the owner and developer of the $21.6 million, 106-unit senior living center, which is operated by the Village of St. Edward, according to a news release.
Signet, which specializes in health care and higher education projects, moved into the realm of senior living facilities for the first time with the Village of St. Edward project, a Signet spokesman said.
Founded by the Diocese of Cleveland and the Sisters of St. Dominic of Akron in 1964, the Village of St. Edward had been looking to expand its reach as the population ages and the demand for senior care grows. St. Edward plans to open 126-unit facility in Green by late this year, a spokeswoman for the organization said. For that project, St. Edward is working with DeHoff Development Co.
The Wadsworth facility features three levels of care in separate wings: independent living, assisted living and memory care, the release said. The facility anticipates employing 50 full-time workers, according to the Village of St. Edward website.
Andrews Architects, Lewis Land Professionals, Mosaic Design and Pride One Construction were involved in the design and construction of the site, the release said.
“Everyone involved with the project, from the folks at St. Edward to city officials and other project partners, has been instrumental in finishing this project well,” Kevin Belt, vice president of development at Signet Real Estate Group, said in a statement. “They have been wonderful to work with, and we look forward to a long successful partnership.”
John Stoner, president and CEO of the Village of St. Edward, said, “We very much appreciate Signet, particularly working with their people, for providing the opportunity for senior living alternatives for the people of the Wadsworth area.”
Common area and cafe at the Village of St. Edward at WadsworthChapel at the Village of St. Edward at Wadsworth
Signet Announces Grand Opening of Wadsworth Senior Living Facility
Signet Real Estate Group officially celebrated the grand opening of their senior living community project last week, in partnership with the Village of St. Edward, in Wadsworth, Ohio. The celebratory opening was commemorated during a ribbon-cutting and VIP reception at the facility on March 8th, attended by over 150 guests.
The $21.6 million project is the first phase of St. Edward’s plan to expand their footprint as the demand for quality senior care begins to grow. The new community offers three levels of senior care: independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The facility features three distinct wings for independent, assisted, and memory care living that all share common areas.
Signet Real Estate Group, which has decades of experience in serving the healthcare industry, as well as planned living and student housing communities, is the owner and developer for the project, while the Village of St. Edward operates the facility.
Design and construction partners on the project included Andrews Architects, Lewis Land Professionals, Mosaic Design, and Pride One Construction.
At the opening event, John Stoner, President and CEO of The Village of St. Edward, described his excitement about opening a senior community in Wadsworth and said that Signet had been a great partner throughout the process. “We very much appreciate Signet, particularly working with their people, for providing the opportunity for senior living alternatives for the people of the Wadsworth area,” said Stoner.
The Village of St. Edward, founded in 1964 and headquartered in Fairlawn, Ohio, is recognized as one of Northeast Ohio’s most respected private facilities for senior care.
“We are thrilled to partner with such a respected organization as the Village of St. Edward,” said Anthony (Tony) Manna, Chairman of Signet LLC. “We know this facility will be a wonderful home for many and we are happy to help deliver it to the Wadsworth community.”
“Everyone involved with the project, from the folks at St. Edward to city officials and other project partners, has been instrumental in finishing this project well, said Kevin Belt, Vice President of Development at Signet Real Estate Group. “They have been wonderful to work with, and we look forward to a long successful partnership.”
About Signet Real Estate Group Signet Real Estate Group, a Signet LLC company, is a full-service development and project management firm specializing in the areas of higher education, health care, research and public-private partnerships. The company transforms complex development challenges into collaborative opportunities through a creative, flexible and customized approach. Since the firm’s inception, Signet and its family of companies have successfully managed and currently have in progress more than $4.5 billion in real estate development and construction throughout the U.S. Learn more at http://www.signetre.com.
About The Village of St. Edward The Village of St. Edward, operating in Fairlawn since 1964, is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) providing services and residency for senior citizens. Initially founded by the Diocese of Cleveland and the Sisters of St. Dominic of Akron, the Village is dedicated to meeting patients’ and residents’ spiritual, physical and psychosocial needs in a faith-based environment. Learn more athttp://www.vscommunities.org.
Official Ribbon Cutting for the Village of St. Edward at Wadsworth
The University of Kentucky announced Friday steps to re-imagine a critical piece of property to establish an innovation corridor and significantly expand parking for the campus.
UK Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Eric N. Monday told members of the Board of Trustees that demolition would begin in March on the property that formerly housed Kennedy’s Bookstore and Fazoli’s (the corner of South Limestone and Winslow Street along Winslow to the South Upper intersection).
“We have a vision to transform this critical entrance to our campus and transform it into a hub for innovation as well as further serving the needs of our students, faculty and staff,” Monday said. “There is a tremendous opportunity here to leverage the momentum we have as a university to expand what we are doing in partnership with the community, make progress on the university’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP), and serve our campus while looking toward the future of technology, innovation, education and research.”
The vision and next steps for the corridor that Monday outlined for board members Friday includes:
Beginning demolition on the site in March.
Moving forward with a pre-development agreement the university has with Signet Real Estate Group, a company with offices in Florida and Ohio that specializes in higher education, health care, and public-private partnership development projects.
Completing design of the property with the goal of completing construction and opening the new six-story facility, matching the height of the current Limestone parking garage, in August 2020.
Finalizing programming of the space, including more than 900 new parking spaces above, ground floor university innovation space and private retail that enhances places for students, employees and the community. The ground floor mix, which will be determined in the coming months, could include 15,000-25,000 square feet for:
– retail space, which could include a restaurant and bar;
– office and support space for UK faculty and staff; and
– innovation space that could house an app development technology partnership and/or an e-sports initiative and program for students.
And, utilizing a multi-story external media wall that will be an addition to the university’s smart campus digital signage efforts, allowing UK to provide timely information and updates to the campus community.
UK Transportation Services has made great progress implementing the TMP in recent years, including award-winning investments in alternative transportation such as buses, bikes, pedestrian improvements and innovative financial incentives, as well as the construction of well over 2,000 new parking spaces since 2015. The addition of more than 900 parking spaces through this project will further improve mobility to, from and around campus for students, faculty, staff and visitors.
The innovation space, Monday said, is essential as it aligns with further development of the area, including the Reynolds Building for the College of Design and existing space nearby for the College of Fine Arts.
Collectively, Monday said, the corridor could “help anchor our role at the intersection of cutting-edge technology developments as well as how we are partnering with the city to invest in the adaptive re-use and re-imagining of historic properties.
“Our students and faculty are working at the intersection of disciplines. The space they work and learn in should support and enhance those efforts. At the same time, making the campus more accessible with additional parking and food options, potentially, further enhances our community.”
Jason Perry, president of Signet Real Estate Group, said, “We are excited to partner with the University of Kentucky to deliver this forward-thinking project and achieve its vision for this corridor into campus. This facility will address the university’s parking demands while transforming the edge of campus into an innovative destination for students, faculty and the Lexington community as a whole.”
More about Signet:
Signet Real Estate Group, a Signet LLC company, is a full-service development and project management firm in the areas of higher education, health care, research and public-private partnerships. The company transforms complex development challenges into collaborative opportunities through a creative, flexible and customized approach. Since the firm’s inception, Signet and its family of companies have successfully managed and currently have in progress more than $4.5 billion in real estate development and construction throughout the U.S. More information on Signet can be found at www.signetre.com.
More about UK:
UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky.
The University of Kentucky will partner with a private real estate company to turn the former Kennedy’s Bookstore corner into 900 new parking spots, in addition to retail and “innovation” space.
“It going to be critical in making progress on the transportation master plan, but it’s so much more than a parking project,” said Melody Flowers, UK executive director for strategic analysis, of the $30 million project that will stretch along Winslow Street between South Limestone and Broadway. “This is a mixed use opportunity to transform this critical property at the entrance to our campus with the use of ground floor retail and university innovation space.”
UK selected Signet Real Estate Group of Jacksonville, Fla. and Akron, Ohio to design, build and finance the project. Signet will provide the financing, and UK will enter into a 30-year lease for the project, paying Signet from parking and retail revenue. After 30 years, UK will own the building.
The project is due to be finished by August, 2020, Flowers said.
The parking will be attached to and part of the South Limestone #5 parking garage, which is used by numerous employees on central campus.
The retail space could include a restaurant or bar, while the innovation space could be used for coding or e-sports initiatives, said Eric Monday, UK’s executive vice president for finance and administration.
UK hopes the space will become part of a new area of campus that includes the new art building on Bolivar Street and a site for the College of Design at the former Reynolds building on South Broadway.
“We’re excited about how this can all work together with projects already underway,” Monday said.
