Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Etkin Johnson Group begins construction on 74-acre mixed-use Broomfield business center development

Denver, CO, October 30, 2012 – Etkin Johnson Group announced today the official launch of construction of Broomfield Business Center, located off Via Varra and the Northwest Parkway in Broomfield, CO.

The initial components of the 74-acre mixed-use development include construction of the 374-unit Retreat At The Flatirons luxury apartment community and the 4-acre Del Corso Park, which will be developed by Etkin Johnson Group and dedicated to the City of Broomfield. The first phase, which will total approximately $80 million, will also see construction of the infrastructure for the remaining 51 acres.

The balance of Broomfield Business Center will take shape with a wide array of restaurants, banks, retail, single and multi-story office/flex, structured and surface parking and a hotel. When complete, the walkable community will total more than 1.5 million square feet. Bank of America Merrill Lynch provided the construction financing totaling approximately $53 million for the first phase of Broomfield Business Center, including the multi-family component and the master development infrastructure. “Bank of America Merrill Lynch is pleased to once again work with Etkin Johnson Group, a recognized leader in high-quality development in the Front Range,” said Patrick Barnes, Senior Vice President, Commercial Real Estate Market Executive – Mountain West States. “Broomfield Business Center is a great example of the type of development we are committed to as a leader in commercial real estate lending,” commented Chad Neubecker, Senior Vice
President, Commercial Real Estate at Bank of America.

Barnes and Neubecker worked closely to close the complex transaction in August 2012 with Aaron Johnson, Vice President Investments at Etkin Johnson Group. Initial occupancy for the Retreat At The Flatirons apartments is slated for July 2013. Residents will have 17 floor plans to choose from ranging in size from 703 square feet up to 2,023 square feet.

Monthly lease rates for the one, two, and three-bedroom apartment homes are estimated to range from $1,000 to $2,235 monthly. The apartments at the Retreat will boast an unparalleled level of upscale finishes including nine-foot ceilings, full-size washer and dryer in each residence, stainless
steel appliances, granite countertops in kitchens and baths, high-end plumbing fixtures, private patio or balcony with incredible views and available fireplace and garden tub in select plans.

Other conveniences include walk-in closets, pre-wiring for intrusion alarms and telecommunications, individual heating, air conditioning and hot water. Garages are offered with several options including attached with direct access to residences as well as detached in standard and oversized
configurations.

The Retreat At The Flatirons will offer one of the largest, most sophisticated sets of lifestyle enhancing amenities in the market. The welcoming Craftsman style of the apartments reference both traditional and contemporary architectural elements that will be carried through to The Club At The Retreat. Indoor and outdoor features will create a true resort-like atmosphere centered around health, fitness, relaxation, socializing and entertainment. Additionally, residents will have access to an adjacent 4-acre city park, which is being developed and donated to the City of Broomfield.

Planned indoor amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, saunas, yoga center, Internet café, billiard’s room, business center and an expansive entertainment lounge. Slated outdoor amenities will include a shallow courtyard pool with lounge chairs, two-lane, 25-meter lap pool, outdoor kitchen, picnic arbor and grilling station, fire pit, bike repair shop and dog wash facility.

“We are very excited to see Broomfield Business Center taking shape in this outstanding location. The accessibility and views are amazing. The site infrastructure and residential component will set the spark for the 50 acres that will remain available for future development. Ultimately, Broomfield Business Center will result in a new pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with a vibrant mix of residential, retail, restaurant, banking, hotel, entertainment and office uses along with inviting public
spaces including a city park and access to the adjacent trail system,” said Bruce Etkin, Chairman of Etkin Johnson Group.

Other team members collaborating on the Retreat At The Flatirons include Lauren Brockman, Principal of the Denver office of Allied Realty, who is providing comprehensive development consulting services. He has sponsored the acquisition and development of approximately 9,500 multi-family
units. Orion Real Estate Services, a subsidiary of Allied Realty, has a growing portfolio of more than 28,000 apartment homes under management throughout the nation and will provide property management and leasing services upon completion.

Etkin Johnson Group is a Denver-based development, investment, ownership and management company with a portfolio of more than 6 million square feet of office, retail, hotel and industrial holdings nationwide valued in excess of $500 million. For more information visit etkinjohnson.com.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Large Build-Outs of HVDC Transmission Systems Will Help Integrate Renewable Energy on the Power Grid, According to Pike Research

Photo from PikeResearch.com
BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Utilities, grid operators, and governments worldwide are engaged in massive programs to build new electricity infrastructure to meet increasing demand to support economic growth. The transmission systems necessary to support this growth have been a mix of high-voltage direct current (HVDC), limited to long-distance point-to-point bulk power transmission, and traditional high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission lines. Today, new developments in HVDC conversion technologies are expanding the range of HVDC applications to include shorter, multi-terminal applications and ones aimed at integrating renewable energy assets into the power grid. According to a recent report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice, worldwide cumulative spending for HVDC systems between 2012 and 2020 will be between $110 billion and $120 billion.

“The sheer number and scale of planned HVDC system build-outs is impressive,” says research director Carol Stimmel. “While some argue that very large HVAC systems built within grid networks can satisfy new demand, many believe that the future belongs to HVDC overlays that interconnect very large grid systems and ultimately enormous regions on a global scale. Over two-thirds of new large-scale transmission planned or under construction are HVDC systems.”

HVDC technology facilitates the integration of renewable energy generation sources by keeping potential harmonic and frequency distortions from entering the AC grid network. While the scale and expense of HVDC build-outs over the remainder of this decade is sure to be immense, the distinction between “planned” and “probable” HVDC systems, however, is sharp. The number of announced public systems slated for commissioning between 2012 and 2020 is nearly 100, at a cost of a little more than $217 billion. That forecast, based on the officially announced budgets and schedules for HVDC systems, overstates the likely outcomes by nearly a factor of two, according to the report.

The report, “High-Voltage Direct Current Transmission Systems”, provides a comprehensive analysis of the global market opportunity for HVDC transmission systems. The study examines key market drivers and barriers by world region, policy and regulatory issues, economics of transmission system construction and operations, HVDC technology issues, profiles of key industry players, and a comprehensive database of HVDC systems planned and under construction. Market forecasts for HVDC systems and spending are provided through 2020, with segmentation by world region, and including a probabilistic analysis of the likelihood of various investment levels during the forecast period. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.

About Pike Research

Pike Research, which joined Navigant’s global Energy Practice on July 1, 2012, provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. Additional information about Pike Research can be found at www.navigant.com/pikeresearch.

About Navigant

Navigant (NYSE: NCI) is a specialized, global expert services firm dedicated to assisting clients in creating and protecting value in the face of critical business risks and opportunities. Through senior level engagement with clients, Navigant professionals combine technical expertise in Disputes and Investigations, Economics, Financial Advisory and Management Consulting, with business pragmatism in the highly regulated Construction, Energy, Financial Services and Healthcare industries to support clients in addressing their most critical business needs. More information about Navigant can be found at www.navigant.com.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Carbo Analytics Receives Outstanding Venture Award at NREL’s Industry Growth Forum

FORT COLLINS, CO (Rocky Mountain Innosphere) – Carbo Analytics, LLC was awarded the “Outstanding Venture 2012” this week at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 25th Industry Growth Forum, Denver, CO, Oct. 23rd & 24th.

There were 30 competitively-selected presenters at the two-day forum, but only three of those companies were chosen to win awards. “Nationally, this is the highest profile startup company forum in the clean energy space. Just having the opportunity to present was an honor, but receiving the award provides evidence investors believe we are building a solid company with the proper focus.” said Dale Willard, founder and president of Carbo Analytics.

Carbo Analytics licenses a Colorado State University lab-on-a-chip technology that makes sugar analysis simple and fast for sugar related-industries. “We’re pleased that Carbo Analytics has been recognized at this forum – in front of a room of their peers,” said Todd Headley, president of CSU Ventures. “This is a wonderful honor at this stage of the company’s growth.”

Carbo Analytics is both a tenant of the university’s Research Innovation Center and non-resident client of Rocky Mountain Innosphere. “For Dale and Carbo Analytics to receive this award at the premier event for clean energy startups is very significant,” said Mike Freeman, Innosphere CEO. “The company has a lot of potential and we look forward to their future success.”

This year’s forum attracted nearly 400 investors, entrepreneurs, scientists and policymakers from around the nation.  NREL’s Industry Growth Forum provides promising startup companies exposure to corporate investors, venture capital and strategic partners, and winners receive in-kind commercialization support to help their chances of becoming commercially successful.

“Winning an award like this takes a talented team of people,” said Willard. “Our team starts with our dedicated employees and contractors but importantly includes the university where we are housed and incubated and the Rocky Mountain Innosphere that was instrumental in engineering the presentation through the SAGE advisor support.”

Founded in 2011, Carbo Analytics provides process monitoring to maximize value of sugar-based communities in such industries as biorefining, brewing, foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.  Initial forthcoming products will make sugar analysis simple and fast using a revolutionary lab-on-a-chip technology. Carbo Analytics is a Colorado State University spinoff that is commercializing technology from the Chemistry Department and licensed from CSU Ventures, the technology transfer organization for the university supporting startups.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

The Villa Palmer Lake Announces Italian Recipe Contest


Press Release - Palmer Lake, Colo. (October 1, 2012) - The Villa Palmer Lake announces its first-ever Italian cuisine recipe contest!  If you have an Italian recipe that includes fall vegetables, incorporates the idea of fall harvest or is simply the best Italian comfort food you can think of, then this recipe contest is made to order.

Whether it’s a signature recipe for an appetizer, entrée, soup, pizza or even dessert, local and regional cooks are invited to submit their favorite Italian creation today. The recipe contest will be judged by Chris and Kerri Bohler, co-owners of The Villa Palmer Lake.  If selected, it will be one of the featured specialty dishes at The Villa for the month of November, crediting the winner(s) as the creator.  “This is an exciting opportunity for local cooks to put a personal or updated spin on a classic Italian favorite, to offer up special Italian dishes that include the use of harvest vegetables, fruits or wines, or even to send in their favorite gourmet ‘mac and cheese’ rendition,” noted Kerri Bohler. 

Winners will receive a free dinner for four at The Villa, at which The Villa Palmer Lake culinary team will make the winner’s dish for the winner and up to three guests, plus their choice of appetizer and dessert.  All recipes must be submitted by October 31, 2012, in order to be considered.  All entrants should include their full name, e-mail address, telephone contact information (day and evening) and mailing address as a part of their entry. A photo of each submitted recipe is welcome, although not required. Recipe entries should be submitted to kerri@thevillapalmerlake.com

However, if entrants do not have access to the Internet, they can print their recipe along with their personal information and mail to: The Villa Palmer Lake, PO Box 163, Palmer Lake, CO 80133. Mail-in entries must be postmarked by October 25, 2012 and received by October 31, 2012 in order to be considered.

Multiple winners may be selected depending on the number and variety of recipes entered.