Dwyer Realty Companies

ShadowGlen Golf: Reclaimed Water Update

2011-04-25T16:29:00.002-05:00

ShadowGlen Golf: Reclaimed Water Update

Dear residents and neighbors,

As you have heard the ShadowGlen Golf (SGG) course is working diligently to acquire the reclaimed water (treated effluent) from the City of Manor and WCMUD2 Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP).

On April the 6th, SGG attended a TCMUD2 Board meeting and made a presentation about it's need to receive the reclaimed water from WCMUD2 and the City of Manor. SGG explained the importance of receiving this reclaimed water and the need for affordable and reliable water sources to ensure the viability of the course. SGG later made a like presentation at a City of Manor Council meeting. Some of you may have actually been in attendance and may have heard the heartfelt discussions on both sides.

This email is not to dispute nor refute anything that was said either during the TCMUD2 Board meeting or the City of Manor Council meetings on April 6th of this year. Instead I wanted to report that WCMUD2 and the City of Manor continue to avail themselves in working with SGG to a speedy and mutually beneficial remedy to the need for viable and reliable sources of irrigation water for the ShadowGlen Golf Course.

I have attached herein the City of Manor response memo as of April 13th, 2011 as well as the recent email update from SGG's attorney from today. In the days and months to come I feel confident that you will see that there is an ernest interest by all parties to ensure the success of the ShadowGlen Golf Course. The endeavors of everyone in Manor, be it; the Manor Chamber; the Manor Independent School District; the Manor Economic Development Corporation; ShadowGlen; Riata Ford; Manor Veterinary Hospital, ShadowGlen Golf Course - on and on - share a symbiotic relationship with one another. As one succeeds; that success strengthens the opportunities for success of the others. Likewise as one suffers that struggle is shared and felt amongst the community. ShadowGlen is keenly aware of this symbiotic relationship and continues its efforts to position itself as a leader in the community. As the Developer of ShadowGlen I will make a better effort to pass on information that is factual and useful in your update of the progress and health of our community. It is through these updates that I feel confident that you will begin to draw a clearer picture of the level of work that is actually taking place daily, but that doesn't make the day-to-day news.

City of Manor response memo:
http://gallery.mailchimp.com/2ff7b6eae481c718be86872bc/files/04.13.11_Barney_Knight.3.pdf

Letter from Attorney:
http://gallery.mailchimp.com/2ff7b6eae481c718be86872bc/files/Tonight_s_Community_Meeting_re_Wholesale_Water_Rates_.pdf

All my best to you and yours,

Danny Burnett

ShadowGlen Board President

ShadowGlen Developer/Project Manager

TONIGHT: Manor MUD Advisory Committee Meeting about Wholesale Water Rates

2011-04-25T16:26:00.001-05:00

TONIGHT: Manor MUD Advisory Committee Meeting

about Wholesale Water Rates

4-25-11 at Manor New Tech High School

6:00-7:30pm

Dear residents and neighbors,

Please bear with me as I am trying a new format of communications in my continued efforts to disseminate information to you and your family on events and activities within our community.

Just a reminder that the Manor MUD Advisory Committee and it's professionals are making a presentation to update the residents within the ShadowGlen (and Presidential Meadows) subdivisions on the process of the Wholesale Water Rates increase that is being effectuated by Southwest Water. The presentation takes place tonight at 6:00-7:30pm at the Manor New Tech High School. Please feel free to attend to learn more about the process.

The focus of tonights meeting is to discuss the water rates in our communities and what is driving the increase and what is being done to minimize and/or reduce the rates. The MUD professionals and Board will try and limit conversation to the specifics of the Wholesale Water Rates issue for tonights meeting. I will forward further updates under separate cover about additional items of concern within the community shortly.

All my best to you and yours,

Danny Burnett

ShadowGlen Board President

ShadowGlen Developer/Project Manager

Join us on Arbor Day 2011

2011-04-20T13:21:00.002-05:00

Come Plant the Seeds of ShadowGlen with Us on April 29th from 5-7pm at the SG Amenity Center. We'll have free food, drinks and tree saplings for you take home!

Dwyer Realty is well positioned for F1 development in Austin

2010-10-13T12:12:00.007-05:00

Builders get revved up about formula for development

by STEVE ALBERTS / KVUE News

Posted on October 12, 2010 at 6:17 PM

The corner of Highway 71 and 130 may be quiet and vacant, but in a couple of years it should be racing with activity. The location is a few miles away from where the Formula 1 race track will be built in Elroy.

“That's the major intersection out there so we see future long term growth,” said developer Pete Dwyer of Dwyer Realty.

Dwyer owns property at that intersection. He sees one formula for development.

“If this is as successful as we think it's going to be, there is going to be the development of hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, the background support for big entertainment venues like the Grand Prix,” said Dwyer.

Tuesday, promoter Tavo Hellmund spoke at The Real Estate Council of Austin's monthly membership luncheon. He gave an overview of the master plan for the future home of the Grand Prix.

“Our goal is not to just do a race,” said Hellmund. “If we build this as we envision it, someone driving down 130 will see signs to this facility and look over and say that is where the...complex is and oh by the way, that is where they hold the U.S. Grand Prix.”

Races are expected to have a huge economic impact.

“I think the mood is one of excitement because it has a potential to create jobs, draw international interest to our community,” said Diana Zuniga a developer/broker.

In 2008, Grand Prix events generated about $394 million in Bahrain, and $221 in Malaysia. State officials project an economic impact around $300 million annually; larger than South by Southwest and an entire season of UT football home games combined.

"We feel the opportunity is real,” said Jim Powers with JL Powers Associates. “We feel there is an opportunity to be on the cutting edge, and this is an incredible opportunity for Austin and this part of Central Texas, so we're really excited about it.”

Manor Expressway News (as per CTRMA)

2010-09-08T09:04:00.001-05:00

Webcam Gives Public Around the Clock View of Manor Expressway Construction

A unique, high definition construction camera is giving Central Texans and Internet users worldwide the ability to watch construction of the Manor Expressway project in near real time. The portable, remote controlled camera, which runs on solar power and communicates via a cellular data connection, is being used by the Mobility Authority to document construction of the Manor Expressway interchange at US 183. As an added bonus, the public can view the most recent pictures, monitor traffic conditions or access thousands of archived pictures dating back to the beginning of the construction project at www.ManorExpressway.com.

"The Mobility Authority is excited to introduce this technology to Central Texas," says Steve Pustelnyk, Director of Communications for the Mobility Authority. "Transparency is a priority for our agency, and this camera allows the public to watch our progress on the Manor Expressway any time, night or day."

Click here to access images from the construction camera.

Update on Manor Expressway Construction

The Mobility Authority continues to make progress on the Manor Expressway direct connect flyovers at US 183 and US 290. Construction crews have been focusing their efforts on drilling shafts for bridge support columns. Columns can now be seen emerging from the ground. Next steps will include capping these columns and placing beams. Crews have also been placing embankment and constructing drainage structures. Due to the limited space in the intersection, construction has required the temporary closure of the northbound US 183 Cameron Road exit. That exit is expected to reopen in September. Construction has also required the temporary closure of the southbound US 183 entrance ramp at US 290. The entrance ramp is expected to reopen by December 2010. To stay up to date on road closures and other construction activities, visit www.ManorExpressway.com or call our project hotline at 512-684-3252.

Construction of the Manor Expressway direct connect flyover interchange at US 183 and US 290 began in March.

Construction of the Manor Expressway direct connect flyover interchange at US 183 and US 290 and the 1.4-mile stretch of the Manor Expressway between US 183 and Chimney Hill Boulevard began in March.

Next Phase of Manor Expressway Project Moving Forward

As construction on Phase 1 of the Manor Expressway progresses, the Mobility Authority is also accelerating plans for development of the remainder of the project. In June, the Mobility Authority initiated a process to secure a contractor to design and build the remainder of the project. That work will extend the Manor Expressway from US 183 to east of Parmer Lane.

Once completed, the Manor Expressway will be a 6.2-mile, limited-access toll road with three lanes in each direction. It will be constructed in an expanded median of US 290. The existing US 290 will be improved and will remain non-tolled. Construction of the full project should be completed by 2014.

Visit the project website for more information.

Manor Area Residential Resurgence

2010-05-11T11:41:00.008-05:00

Manor Area Permit Activity is Proof of Residential Resurgence

As shocking as it may seem, while the majority of the Austin Area experienced drastic decreases in residential permit activity, Manor has experienced a resurgence of activity.

Don't wait! Contact Dwyer Realty NOW to be sure and get the best price on our available lots.

Pete Dwyer - Honored at the 2010 Best of Real Estate Awards

2010-04-27T15:12:00.011-05:00

At the 2010 Best Real Estate Awards on April 9th, Owner and President of Dwyer Realty Companies, Pete Dwyer, was the recipient of the Austin Business Journal W. Neal Kocurek Commercial Real Estate Lifetime Achievement Award at the Four Seasons Hotel. A special honor and recognition for the accomplished 32-year veteran of real estate development. Congratulations, Pete!

Click here for the story: http://www.dwyerrealty.com/documents/brea2010_001.pdf

Dwyer Realty tries to wrangle Wildhorse owners - Austin Business Journal April 2, 2010

2010-04-05T10:22:00.002-05:00

Developer wants to spur 2,000 acres of projects

Ten years since unveiling his vision for the massive, nearly 2,000-acre Wildhorse Ranch development east of Austin, Pete Dwyer of Dwyer Realty Companies is hoping that rumblings in the local economy may help finally lead to a groundbreaking on the land soon.

In the years since 2000, the property has been fully entitled, with utilities set up and transportation infrastructure improved around Wildhorse Ranch, located northeast of Austin and Southwestern Railroad tracks that run north of Walter E. Long Lake. A minor tract extends into the Manor city limits to the front of U.S. Highway 290, but most of the land is in the city of Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Most notably, the opening of the Texas 130 toll road was expected to spur the development of thousands of homes and millions of square feet of commercial space. But it didn’t, and the 1,800-acre-plus site in Austin has remained undeveloped, thanks to the economic downturn starting in 2007 that froze lending to retailers and homebuilders eyeing the site.

But Dwyer and other real estate experts in the region see interest in the area resurging thanks to continued home construction in the vicinity and more businesses coming to Austin. Despite the downturn, homes also have been selling on Manor’s side of Wildhorse Ranch in a residential community of 600 homes now named Wildhorse Creek, which recently sold its last patch of lots.

“Wildhorse Ranch is in the desired development area of Austin, so anyone looking to come in or build homes or serve the population already growing out there should take a look at it,” Dwyer said. “Add to that the new expressway being constructed out there, a nearby stop on one of the proposed rail lines, and being only 12 minutes from downtown Austin, and it’s still a prime spot.”

Originally, Dwyer bought the land for Wildhorse and proposed a master-planned community with mixed uses, including 3,900 lots for detached, single-family homes; 3,000 multifamily units; a corporate campus for a major employer; retail space; a network of parks and trails; and possibly a golf course, which was later scratched.

In 2007, Dwyer and his partners sold the land to a group of out-of-state investors that eventually split the project into five pieces and wanted to boost the project to 7,000 homes. But the group ran out of money in 2008, and Wildhorse Ranch was taken over by the group’s lenders, which are banks and capital groups.

The majority of Wildhorse now belongs to Titan Capital, represented by Dwyer, who has shepherded the entitlement process. He has other projects in the area and remains the project’s lead advocate.

Recently, one of the lenders put up a 200-acre parcel of Wildhorse Ranch land for sale through NAI REOC Austin. The asking price is $17,500 an acre, but that includes the obligation to help extend Parmer Lane, said Joyce Jane Weedman, NAI Austin’s vice president.

“I believe that later this year and certainly in 2011, we will see these retailers come back,” Weedman said. “There are literally thousands of starter-home lots planned, platted and built within a few miles, and we feel there will be a flurry of new rooftops within the next couple of years. And of course, retail follows rooftops.”

fvara-orta@bizjournals.com | (512) 494-2523

Manor Expressway Groundbreaking - We dig it!

2010-03-11T12:43:00.003-06:00

Dwyer Realty anxiously attended yesterday's Groundbreaking for the Manor Expressway. The event was well-attended as the project gets underway ahead of schedule.

More from KVUE News:

Toll road could ease traffic in East Travis County
by STEVE ALBERTS / KVUE News
Posted on March 10, 2010
Video available: http://www.kvue.com/news/local/Manor-Expressway-ground-breaking--87282807.html

Austin's traffic troubles have spilled into outlying areas. Now a new construction project using some federal money is set to get underway along U.S. Highway 290.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held Wednesday to kick off construction on a 6.2-mile toll road which received a $60 million federal grant.

Hardies delivery driver Jonathan Gutierrez travels Highway 290 East twice a week to Houston. He knows at times traffic can be a nightmare.

"Here on 290 rush hour is getting worse every day," he said.

Traffic on Highway 290 between Highway 183 and Parmer Lane alone has increased by 78 percent since 1990. Thanks to recently received stimulus money, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority hopes to alleviate the gridlock -- the Manor Expressway in East Travis County.

"The real benefit of the 290 East Manor Expressway is it will connect the two biggest highways in Central Texas -- SH 130 and IH 35," said Mike Heiligenstein, Executive Director of the Central Texas Mobility Authority.

The first phase of the project will stretch 1.4 miles from Highway 183 and 290 and end at Chimney Rock Road near Springdale Road. It will cost about $193 million. The access roads will remain free. "That connection is desperately needed to reduce congestion and allow the citizens of Williamson and North Travis and the eastern part of the county non-stop access into downtown Austin," said Heiligenstein.

The construction project is expected to be a shot in the arm for the local economy.

"This project is going to employ the heavy equipment operator, it’s going to employ the concrete folks, it’s going to employee the engineers who helped design it," said Pete Dwyer, president of Dwyer Realty.

East Travis County is not only seeing traffic woes, but also huge growth.

Andrew Kim, superintendent Manor ISD -- one of the fastest growing school districts in the State of Texas -- says the Manor Expressway will give drivers the option for faster, safer, reliable routes. "It’s important for us to have safe routes," he said. "It's important for us to have safe ways for providing that type of transportation to our 7,000 students in our school district."

Highway 290 is also a hurricane evacuation route. Mobility Authority officials say the Manor Expressway will help alleviate traffic congestion. The total coast of the project is expected to be around $600 million and be completed in four years.

Toll Roads Gaining Traction

2010-02-10T14:35:00.002-06:00

It looks like toll activity, use and acceptance is increasing in Central Texas.

http://impactnews.com/round-rock-pflugerville/146-news/6918-toll-roads-gaining-traction-after-first-three-years

Looking to spread rooftop solar, Austin Energy broadening focus.

2010-02-05T13:50:00.002-06:00

City exploring buying electricity from business rooftops

By Marty Toohey
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF February 4, 2010 Page one
Austin Energy, grappling with how to expand solar power amid current budget constraints and long-term financial concerns, is considering a new approach: buying electricity generated on the rooftops of big businesses.

The Austin City Council will vote on a measure today that would take a small step in that direction.

Austin Energy wants the authority to stop large one-time rebate payments that help businesses cover the cost of installing solar panels. Instead, the city would spread those payments over 10 years and monitor the output of each array, reducing payments for systems that produce below expected levels.

Officials hope that in perhaps five years, commercial rooftops can produce enough electricity to make arrays a worthwhile investment with minimal or no city incentives.

The shift is significant because Austin's solar efforts to date have focused on getting homes or businesses to generate their own power.

As more homeowners generate their own electricity under the current model, however, Austin Energy could face a drop in revenue needed to keep its electrical grid functioning, officials say.

That possibility is years, if not decades, away, but the city should begin efforts now to avert it, said Karl Rabago , an Austin Energy vice president .

But the utility's new approach is due as much to immediate budget constraints as long-term planning. Austin Energy's solar rebate program had become so popular that the utility says it cannot afford to continue offering one-time rebate checks to businesses.

"We never like to waste a crisis," Rabago said. "We hope to learn the issues around this approach \u2026 so we're in a better position to know" whether looking to big businesses as electricity producers is technically and economically feasible.

Austin Energy executives say they are pursuing solar power because, while it is now more expensive than other sources, prices are expected to drop while those of conventional sources will rise, making solar a potentially useful supplement, available on the hot afternoons when air conditioners are running on high and electricity is needed most.

Austin Energy wants to add solar power as part of a plan to reduce its dependence on coal over the next decade.

The approximately 800 rooftop solar arrays in Austin generate a negligible amount of the city's power.

But Austin Energy is proposing that the city get 3 percent of its electricity from solar power by 2020. The utility recently concluded there is enough rooftop potential in Austin to power the entire city on even the hottest summer afternoons.

Roger Duncan , Austin Energy's general manager, says that future is probably decades away but should guide today's policies.

In March , the City Council approved Austin's first large-scale solar project, voting to spend $10 million annually for 25 years to buy power from a massive solar array to be built in Webberville, just east of Austin.

The deal drew applause at City Hall from environmental activists and those pushing for Austin to establish itself as a hub for the solar industry. But it also drew criticism from some large businesses who questioned the expense for a plant that will add just 1 percent to the city's electric-generating capacity.

In September , Austin Energy irritated solar advocates by announcing that it was curtailing its solar-rebate program. Rabago said the program had gotten so popular that the utility was close to spending its entire $4 million budget less than a month into the fiscal year.
When the utility announced it would stretch the dollars by reducing the one-time rebates to homeowners, several said the city had misled them about its intentions. A group of them filed a lawsuit in late January in state District Court.

Scott Kidd, the homeowners' attorney, said the city undermined months of work by the homeowners.

Tal Tversky, one of his clients, calculated that a solar array would have paid for itself in about seven years (a good deal) but now would take about 12 years to pay for itself (too long to make financial sense).

"The city made an offer to the public and said if you do certain things, you're entitled to a rebate," Kidd said. "They made, it appears to me, an unequivocal offer, and from our standpoint, a deal's a deal, and they should have to honor it."

Rabago said the city never promised to honor every application it received and had made no obligations until it gave final approval, which Kidd's clients had not secured. Austin Energy is still planning reductions in the residential portion of the rebate program.

A task force appointed by Mayor Lee Leffingwell to study Austin Energy's long-term plans recommended the utility explore buying electricity directly from private owners of rooftop solar arrays.

To test the idea, Austin Energy wants to begin offering 10-year contracts to a limited number of businesses.

The city would calculate how much it would have to pay a business each month for a solar array to pay for itself after a decade, assuming the array operates at optimal output.

If the price of solar technology drops, the city would reduce the incentive in subsequent contracts. Eventually, as the cost of solar technology continues to drop, the utility hopes it can pay market rates for that privately generated power.

The city plans to spend up to $100,000 this year on perhaps 23 arrays and hopes to keep signing up businesses over the next five years .

Utilities and state governments in 26 states have adopted some variation on that setup, according to the federally funded Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

"It's certainly the direction the industry should and is moving," said Alex Tynberg , a spokesman for Austin-based Meridian Solar.

What would your neighbors think about this wind turbine?

2010-01-08T08:56:00.004-06:00

So you say you've got neighbors that are NIMBYs? So you say you want a wind turbine to help offset your electric usage, and also reduce your carbon footprint? What WILL the neighbors say!?

Not to worry, there may be a solution: this wind turbine can blend into the neighborhood and most importantly the ridge line of your home.

You can be green, clean and still be friends with your neighbors.

http://digg.com/u1EvAl

Dwyer Realty Instrumental in Home Builders Association October 2009 Builder Focus Group

2009-12-18T11:44:00.005-06:00

HBA Focus Group Shows Home Builders Face Major Changes for Buyer Requirements, Financing, Lot Demand & Speculative Development; Only 30 Percent of All Houses Built to Exceed $175,000.

Click here to download the report: http://www.hbaaustin.com/associations/1360/files/Land_Development_2010_i.pdf

Manor Expressway Bids

2009-11-30T17:47:00.000-06:00

http://www.manorexpressway.com/images/stories/news_releases/pr_183A_290E_bid_openings_113009.pdf

White House brief recognizes the City of Manor

2009-11-20T11:09:00.006-06:00

Open Government Laboratories of Democracy

Posted by Beth Noveck on November 19, 2009 at 07:04 PM EST

"It is one of the happy incidents of the federal system," Justice Louis D. Brandeis wrote in 1932, "that a single courageous state may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country." The Obama Administration is taking unprecedented strides toward creating the most open and accountable government in history. And in so doing, we’re learning from those states and municipalities, which are undertaking exciting experiments to bring transparency, participation, and collaboration to the way they work as well.

Inspired by the President’s call for more open government, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts launched its data catalogue, following in the footsteps of Washington, DC, San Francisco, New York, and elsewhere around the country (as well as cities in Canada and the UK), to provide public access to information by and about government. What makes this exciting is not merely having transportation information available in machine-readable formats, but that professional and amateur enthusiasts can then get together, as they did last weekend, to create new software applications and data visualizations to better enable public transit riders to track arrival times for the next subway, bus, or ferry. Publishing government information online facilitates this kind of useful collaboration between government and the public that transforms dry data into the tools that improve people’s lives. (For another great example, check out what happened when we published the Federal Register for people to use.)

The National Association of State CIOs is helping to spur this movement toward greater data transparency at the state level by publishing “Guidance for Opening the Doors to State Data.”
Just as the federal government is using online brainstorming with government employees and the public to generate ideas for saving money or going green, state and local governments are also using new technology to tap people’s intelligence and expertise. The City of Manor, Texas (pop. 5800) has launched “Manor Labs,” an innovation marketplace for improving city services. A participant can sign up to suggest “ideas and solutions” for the police department, the municipal court, and everything in between. Each participant’s suggestion is ranked and rewarded with “innobucks.” These innobucks points can be redeemed for prizes: a million innobucks points wins “mayor for the day” while 400,000 points can be traded for a ride-along with the Chief of Police.

Manor is also one of the few cities currently using bar codes (known as QR or Quick Response Codes) to label physical locations around town. These bar codes can be scanned with a mobile phone to communicate historical and touristic information, data about the cost of a municipal service, or emergency management information. Manor is experimenting with techniques for providing different information to different audiences. If a resident scans a QR code outside a home for sale, she gets the floor plan and purchase price; whereas the building inspector gets the inspection history; and the first responder gets information about the current occupant.

As more of these innovative projects that foster open government go live and achieve results, we look forward to showcasing some of them on our blog and eventually making details available on the Open Government Innovation Gallery. Developers with new tools to offer to facilitate open government – including free social media applications -- should also check out Apps.gov and list their products (here’s how) for others to use. Openness and accountability are the responsibility of government at every level. By getting out the word about innovations that help to realize open government in practice, we can both promote new experiments and help people find and re-use the best ones.

Beth Noveck is Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Open Government

Developer offers use of land to remedy City Bike Ban

2009-11-20T08:47:00.001-06:00

Dwyer Realty Companies care of its development Central Park have notified the City of Manor that it is willing and capable of donating the use of land along the south side of Blake Manor Road to remedy the City of Manor's pending Council action/ordinance to ban bikes along a segment of Blake Manor Road.

See attached link: http://www.dwyerrealty.com/documents/memotoMayorandCouncilreCityordinanceconsiderationprohibitingbicycleaccessalongBM11.19.09r.pdf

CHARACTER COUNTS

2009-11-16T10:18:00.005-06:00

Since the 2008 school year, I have been aware that Manor ISD has promoted a CHARACTER COUNTS program as an instructive tool to its students on all of its campuses. The CHARACTER COUNTS program isn’t JUST a banner, a logo or an empty motto. Not at all.

The CHARACTER COUNTS programs is based upon a core of six ethical values that everyone can agree on — values that are not political, they are not religious, nor are they culturally biased. Through the use of these core ethical values young people grow to understand the Six Pillars, and use then use mnemonic devices to help them remember.

Trustworthiness
Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country

Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements

Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices

Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly

Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment

Last week on a Tuesday morning Manor ISD presented a living testament and embodiment that it practices what it teaches through CHARACTER COUNTS. My office received a call that a school bus full of elementary school children were broken down on US 290, just west of the Parmer Lane intersection. The students, teachers and chaperons were on their way from Taylor, Texas to attend an educational field trip at the Travis County Exposition Center. Their bus was incapacitated and the students were going to miss an exciting day of events at the Expo Center. I called my friend and our Deputy School Superintendent Rusty Wallace to ask for his help. Rusty immediately jumped to action. Rusty sent over Greg Andrus, the District Transportation Director and a crew of mechanics, followed by a school bus. The students from Taylor were timely and safely transitioned from their broken down school bus and loaded onto the MISD bus, then taken to the Expo Center so they could make their field trip.

Rusty, Greg and MISD could have come up with 20 reasons on why MISD couldn’t or shouldn’t get involved. But in the end, there were children involved and that was the primary focus for Rusty and MISD. It is EXACTLY that sort of CHARACTER that COUNTS!

My heart is full of appreciation and admiration for our school district and the wonderful personnel at the helm. Thank you MISD.

Danny Burnett

Development Coordinator

Dwyer Realty Companies

G'day from Down Under

2009-10-09T20:05:00.003-05:00

I'm off on vacation, on the other side of the world in Perth, Australia. It is a gorgeous time of year so I am using it wisely to spend time with family and to compare real estate markets. I suppose it is just the way land developers are wired - always thinking about work.

As I drive (on the wrong side of the road) and walk throughout Western Australia, I am interested to note the similarities that encompass our own great Nation with that of Australia. Regions within Australia are effected differently, with some regions seeing a resurgence and others the full weight of economic strains. While in Perth I see more and more residential condo units going up, all-the-while with vacancies abound. Class A and B office space occupancy rates appear low (I'm not working THAT hard - so I haven't done research to verify my windshield study.), yet the presence of office and retail construction is still a strong and predominate observation.

As I check in on the office from time-to-time, and read the local Statesman, I am pleased to see that economists are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and strength in the Texas economy. I hope they are right. I know our company is doing our part to keep the local economy going, keep it strong and to promote a healthy and diverse product for interested buyers.

Even while I am out the office still presses forward, so don't hesitate to give us a call if you have an interest in one of our properties.

More later on the use of round-abouts and why we need more in Texas! The really work. See ya when I get back for Down Under.

Good on Ya!

Danny Burnett
Development Coordinator
Dwyer Realty Companies

Tougher Water Rules - will it affect you?

2009-09-25T10:52:00.004-05:00

The rain has finally shown up in Central Texas and we sure are happy about it. But, is it enough? Is it too little too late? Can we count on more in the near future?

How is the drought affect you? Do you agree with current Drought Contingency Plans in place by local municipalities? Do you know what Drought Contingency Plan applies in your community?

Keep your eye out on the horizon and lets hope for more gentle and progressive rains to recharge our aquifers, refill our lakes and replenish our lives. But until then, stay abreast of impacts in the community. Take a look at this article in the Statesman today.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/09/25/0925drought.html

FM 973 continuous left turn lane construction starts September 01, 2009

2009-08-19T10:21:00.010-05:00

If you will recall, bids were opened back on June the 9th for the TXDOT improvements along FM 973, constructing a continuous left turn lane and revised shoulders from Blake Manor heading south to just past LaPoynor Street. The low bidder was Aaron Concrete, with the winning bid at $212,485.12 coming in 30% under the engineer’s opinion of estimated costs to construct.

TXDOT has since officially awarded the project to Aaron Concrete and as of yesterday TXDOT and Aaron Concrete met on site for the preconstruction meeting and issuance of the Notice to Proceed. Per our office's coordination with TXDOT we understand that construction will commence on September the 1st.

Dwyer Realty Companies, through its partnership entity WildHorse Creekside Development Corporation, is funding the full construction costs of the referenced FM 973 turn lane and shoulder improvements on behalf of the City of Manor in their contract with TXDOT. WildHorse Creek is only responsible for just about 50% of the total costs to construct, based upon its ultimate traffic generation requirements. WildHorse Creek, via Dwyer Realty, agreed to partner with the City of Manor and advance funds for the related construction, with credits/cost allocations applied to future developments planned along FM 973.

City of Manor works with Dwyer Realty, local developers and CAMPO to initiate Regional Transportation in East Travis County

2009-07-13T11:32:00.003-05:00

Dwyer Realty Companies was recently asked to attend a series of meetings between the City of Manor and area developers that have master-planned developments south of the City of Manor. The areas of development actually fell within the City of Austin’s ETJ and outside of the City of Manor’s purview, but Manor saw a problem in the tall grass and they repeatedly called the matter to point. A series of spirited meetings and notices culminated to a coordinative effort and outreach to CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization) on July 2nd.

To quote Joe Cantalupo, the Executive Director of CAMPO following our initiating meeting on July 2nd:

“I wanted to thank you all for looking at the transportation issues in and around Manor as a group. We need to be doing more large area and regional planning if we want to continue to grow efficiently and effectively; your desire to work cooperatively with each other and with your local governments is a huge step forward toward that. Thanks for giving regional planning a shot and for looking to CAMPO to help bring this all together.”

Dwyer Realty is hopeful that through the combined and coordinated efforts of the public and private sectors, an implemented Regional Transportation Plan can be created, with real world implementation metrics, that support the needs of our growing community. The Greater Manor area and the DDZ of the City of Austin have been on hold of recent due to the economy, but indicators show that trend in on the change. We plan on being at the front, leading our partnerships and developments to take advantage of the market when it does turn.

FM 973 continuous left turn lane contract awarded to low bidder

2009-06-10T10:52:00.011-05:00

Bids were opened yesterday for the TXDOT improvements along FM 973, constructing a continuous left turn lane and revised shoulders from Blake Manor heading south to just past LaPoynor Street. The low bidder was Aaron Concrete, with the winning bid at $212,485.12 coming in 30% under the engineer’s opinion of estimated costs to construct. WHOOP!

TXDOT will officially award the project to Aaron Concrete at the end of the month. Then TXDOT and Aaron Concrete will meet for the preconstruction meeting about 6 weeks later and the Notice to Proceed can be issued right thereafter. In just about 2 months you can expect to see dirt turning and roadway improvements moving forward.

Dwyer Realty Companies, through its partnership entity WildHorse Creekside Development Corporation, is funding the full construction costs of the referenced FM 973 turn lane and shoulder improvements on behalf of the City of Manor in their contract with TXDOT. WildHorse Creek is only responsible for just about 50% of the total costs to construct, based upon its ultimate traffic generation requirements. WildHorse Creek, via Dwyer Realty, agreed to partner with the City of Manor and advance funds for the related construction, with credits/cost allocations applied to future developments planned along FM 973.

Dwyer Realty attends local Commercial Real Estate Expo

2009-06-05T13:13:00.012-05:00

On Thursday, June 4^th Dwyer Realty sponsored a booth at the Central Texas Commercial Association of Real Estate Professionals (CTCAR) Expo for the second year in a row. This three-hour informational reception and commercial real estate information and product convention attracts hundreds of commercial sales and leasing professionals throughout Central Texas. The CTCAR Showcase Expo is the Central Texas premier opportunity for commercial real estate professionals to gather new market information, discover the latest properties and products and network with some of the real estate industry’s top brokers.javascript:void(0)

Dwyer Realty met face-to-face with several Brokers, Owners and Investors, Lenders, Title Company Professionals, Architects and other affiliated professionals in the commercial sector to help furthermore our vision in the Manor area and development plans for the future. It is our hope that utilizing tools such as CTCAR will garner local support and attract the attention of major commercial brokers and investors.

Sundial Farms on the Hill

2009-05-18T11:28:00.013-05:00

The Seeds To Success

For several years now Dwyer Realty Companies has been working, studying and forging new relationships in the realm of Community Sustainable Agriculture (CSA’s). Our office believes that the incorporation of Urban Farms, Urban Gardens and Community Gardens is a key in the success and prosperity of the new paradigm of planned community growth, not only here in Manor, but across our great Nation.

Decades and Decades of societal belief that it is somehow acceptable to push farmers, further and further out to the periphery of development, all in the name of “progress”, has placed an undue and almost unrecoverable burden on our Nation and our communities core fabric. Agriculture is a keystone to all of our lives and we can not afford to displace it as if it were a secondary thought. Our office has seized upon this realization and we are moving forward with a pilot farming program for a series of farming ventures within the greater Manor area.

The vision of Sundial Farms is born; while conceived more than two years ago, the tangible fruits of our labor, was officially launched with the tilling of soil and laying of seeds at the offices of Dwyer Realty. Sundial Farms on the Hill is the pilot program of our ultimate Sundial Farms, a CSA program with multiple farm locations that we know will service the greater Manor and Austin communities. It is our company’s goal to incorporate paddocks of tenable agricultural use within the continual growth of our various projects.

Dwyer Realty Companies is excited in formalizing its working relationship with Andy Erwin, a local Austinite with vast and colorful experience in sustainable agriculture. Andy and his family have quickly evolved into the family fold at Dwyer Realty. Andy and his family are the heartbeat behind the future of our company’s vision for incorporated Community Sustainable Agriculture. It is through this partnership forged with sweat and hard work on Andy and his family’s part that we will truly be able to provide “Giveback Sustainability”. One of the things that our office learned quickly is that we aren’t farmers, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be informed and creative in our visions, but it did mean that we needed to find that special person to help evolve the vision into reality. Our office believes that Andy and his family are exactly what we need, what we were looking for.

Giveback Sustainability is the ultimate goal in our vision of creating integrated farming in and urban and masterplanned setting, to allow for the fruits, vegetables etc of our efforts to flow back into the community, to our restaurants, to our farmers markets, to our grocery stores, to our very tables and ultimately to our own health and enjoyment.

We hope that you will share in our excitement of the vision of Sundial Farms.

Despite recent foreclosure of ShadowGlen Residential, Dwyer Realty continues to be a strong developer in the community

2009-05-07T16:48:00.004-05:00

On April 7th, Residential Funding Company (RFC) posted Notice of Foreclosure Sale on ShadowGlen Residential’s (SGR) assets in ShadowGlen, which includes, but not limited to, 170+- developed lots, 300+- acres of undeveloped land and the $2,000,000 bond sale reimbursements forthcoming from the TCMUD2 bond sale. Despite continued negotiations between SGR and RFC, neither side was able to arrive at an amicable conclusion to the disposition of the SGR development loan for ShadowGlen. As stated above, the SGR assets were foreclosed on, on the Travis County Court House steps on May 5th.

Dwyer Realty would like to remind the community that we are still an active developer, we were not the lead Developer entity of the foreclosed assets but are the Managing Developer for SGR. Dwyer Realty and its partnership with Cottonwood Holdings, Ltd. are consulting with legal professionals involved in our projects to ensure the foreclosure has the least impact on the current and future residents of ShadowGlen, and that all efforts are maintained to promote the health and vitality of the Greater Manor Community.

Also, we ask you please maintain an active role in the community and take a moment to read the update sent to our ShadowGlen residents by clicking the link below. Here you may read further details and explanation on the foreclosure and future health of ShadowGlen.

http://www.dwyerrealty.com/documents/ShadowGlenCommunityStatusUpdate05.07.09.pdf

Dwyer Realty Releases $20,000,000 in Seller Financing

2009-04-22T11:28:00.001-05:00

Available to facilitate small business owners acquire ownership, this site financing package pairs with the 2009 Recovery Act Small and Rural Lender Advantage and Community Express 7(a) SBA financing. Now available for Recovery Act SBA Guaranteed Loans up to $1,600,000.

Available in 15% or 20% Down Payment Versions, these funds are available for immediate purchase of select Dwyer Realty Inventory, listed on this Property Inventory Price List.

http://dwyerrealty.com/DwyerRealtyPropertyInventory.htm

Las Entradas gifts land to TCESD12

2009-04-08T11:09:00.005-05:00

When Dwyer Realty companies was contacted by Travis County Emergency Service District 12 (ESD12) about plans to renovate and remodel the current fire station facilities at 501 W. Parsons Road we asked “How we could help?”.

ESD12 has been in its current facilities since 1994 and as we all know a lot has changed in the Greater Manor area since then. The Manor area growth and demands placed on the ESD12 required expansion and updates to the current facilities to allow for improved performance and service to the community. In this process it was determined that TCESD12 needed more land to accommodate its planned upgrades. Dwyer Realty, through its Las Entradas development, worked with its own design team (Land Design Studios, AECOM, and GDH&M) and that of ESD12 to come up with a final plan that maximizes the needs to service our growing community and support the immediate growth needs of ESD12 . On March 21st ESD12 had a ground breaking ceremony to commerorate the upcoming renovations. Construction is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2009.

As a final outcome, Las Entradas made a land gift and deed conveyed the needed land to ESD12 at no cost. It is Dwyer Realty’s and Las Entradas’ hope to continue a positive working relationship with our friends and neighbors in the Manor Community and particularly to support our local police and fire departments when and however we can. There is no greater service than those that lay their lives on the line to protect our daily endeavors. The Las Entradas land gift is but a small gesture of our commitment to Manor.

Money for road improvements paid to City of Manor

2009-04-06T12:47:00.002-05:00

Consistent with the 2008 agreements between the City of Manor; TxDoT and private developers, Dwyer Realty’s WildHorse Creekside Development Corp completed payment to Manor in the amount of $365,344 on Monday. Bringing the total paid under this project to $395,344: WildHorse Creekside Commercial’s payment completes the required funding for the TxDoT Phase 1 project along FM 973 under the developer’s Advanced Funding Agreement for “Funding and Reimbursement Agreement – Construction of Left Turn Lane” dated June 6, 2008. The Dwyer Realty payment, through financing arranged by Manor’s own Independent Bank, provides private sector funding in place of public funding for improvements within the State roadway right of way of 973 to create a center turning lane between the Dollar General Store at 973 and Lapoyner Street, and the Exxon station Manor Market at 973 and Blake Manor Road.

This funding was paid to the City of Manor, on the heals of $30,000 paid to Manor in December for design work on the 973 project, and $313,268 paid through Letters of Credit by Dwyer Realty in March to secure final plats in ShadowGlen, and ShadowaGlen Commercial development fiscal impact fees for the future extension of Lexington Boulevard past the ShadowGlen Golf Clubhouse over Wilbarger Creek and into ShadowGlen’s residential areas.

The Monday cash payment to Manor and TxDoT appears timely amidst the storm of controversy surrounding the Park Springs Neighborhood Association and other’s opposition led by former Mayor Jeff Turner; to several other larger developments in the area . Turner, whose email campaigns have circulated over the internet lately to transportation staff and elected officials, appears to advocate shutting down development in the area south of Manor, until the TxDoT advocated “973 Bypass” is constructed east of Manor bridging 973 north of SH 290 to 973 south of Manor over Wilbarger Creek. According to Terry McCoy and Bobby Ramthun, TxDoT transportation staff, the $20,000,000 973 Bypass project, has lost construction funding for the immediate future, although the project has been in design for several years.

While the 973 improvements south of Manor, funded by the Monday payment by WildHorse, will be bid for construction by TxDoT in June of this year, they are only one piece of a badly needed regional transportation planning and improvements necessary in and around Manor. Many hours have been spent with State and local officials in attempts to coordinate the Las Entradas improvements to Gregg Manor, Lexington, Parsons, Hill Lane and SH 290, and the Dwyer Realty’s future project, Central Park’s planned improvements and enhancements to the 973 Bypass including the creation of an extra wide Parkway section for 973 through Central Park, which would have included broad tree lined medians and Pedestrian and Bike Trails alongside the future road.

The Monday payment brings the total of Dwyer Realty sponsored payments to the City of Manor to $708,612 since December.

ShadowGlen: TCMUD2 appoints new Directors and approves $2,000,000 bond sale

2009-04-02T12:27:00.003-05:00

A change of the guard took place yesterday, April 1st, 2009, in the ShadowGlen community. All five of the TCMUD2 Directors resigned to make way for appointments of a homeowner controlled MUD board. Four of the five director positions were replaced immediately with the 5th and final position being held out until a greater paneling of the community can be had for the appointment.

Letting no moss grow, the newly appointed directors took immediate action to authorize the sale of $2,000,000 of MUD bonds. The TCEQ originally approved the $2,000,000 bonds packet on May 14th, 2008. However, the past TCMUD2 directors would not authorize bonds sales, despite the approvals by TCEQ and all of the MUD professionals (Financial Advisors, Bond Counsel, Engineers, Auditors etc.) This lack of bond sales put the cash flow of the project in dire straits and had immediate impact on the day-to-day operations of the current ShadowGlen HOA. With the current authorization, the TCMUD2 professionals are processing the bonds for sale which will hopefully transpire in about 60 days.

QR Codes

2009-03-24T10:59:00.000-05:00

Keep your eyes open and focused on those new Dwyer Realty FOR SALE signs. We are adding a new lil twist that should increase the speedy and accurate dissemination of sales information. We are adding QR codes to our marketing signs. A QR code t is a style of barcode that looks like a little pixilated black and white square. QR stands for Quick Reference and the intent of the QR is to allow people out and about to read the QR with their camera phones and find imbedded information.

As an example: each of our marketing signs will have a QR code located in a prominent location. An interested person could view the QR with their phone and then imbedded information would be sent directly to their phone giving detailed information about the property they are looking at.

A lot of newer phones already have QR readers installed on them, but if you happen to have a phone that is behind the technology curve, fear not! Visit http://www.i-nigma.com/personal/GetReader.asp and you can upload a reader to your phone – it’s EASY! Then, the next time you need information on the fly while looking at our FOR SALE signs, give that QR a try. We think you will be amazed!

Dwyer Realty FOR SALE Signs

2009-03-18T17:06:00.000-05:00

Many of you may have noticed the new Dwyer Realty For Sale Signs in the greater Manor area. Here at Dwyer Realty, we are excited by the activity that these signs have generated on our $200 million land portfolio. But we would also like to address a lingering concern in the community. Just so all of our friends and neighbors are on the same page, we have one thing to say — Dwyer Realty is not going anywhere!

Dwyer Realty is a diverse, multifaceted real estate land development and project management company; and at the core of our business, we sell land. To sell land and market our projects, we have to be able to promote the land. Our For Sale signs are the perfect promotion tool. However, these For Sale signs DO NOT mean that we are leaving town, bailing on our projects or retiring to the Bahamas. (Well, we would all like to retire one of these days, but that is a couple decades down the road.)

Here’s an interesting bit of Dwyer Realty advertising trivia: The new For Sale signs were placed in the very same location as our old For Sale signs, which had been there for years. The power of advertising! It’s amazing how the fresh look caused an increase in sales calls (GOOD) and increased consternation and fret in our friends and neighbors in the community (BAD).

Times are tough for us all right now, and Dwyer Realty has not been immune to the economic downturn. We have had to adjust our programs, timeline projections and goals across the board — on all projects. But we are not leaving Manor. We have a commitment to our community, to our neighbors, to our friends, and to our projects’ success. We are still the lil’ development company on top of the hill. Come by and see us. Drop us a line, take a peek at our website, and tell everyone you know to “Land a Deal With Us!”