Gameocalypse

I read an article recently about the forthcoming "Gameocalpyse" - essentially everything will be Wi-Fi enabled and directly tied to advertising and customer loyalty programs. The example provided was that of toothbrushes that are linked to the internet - if you brush twice daily you get coupons for new brushes and toothpaste. Moreso if you brush correctly.

Personally, this to me seems like a great tool albeit with some downsides. I would imagine that property managers would easily be able to justify expenses to owners and easily update clients on repairs - blogs for each site which would contain gps locational info for contractors, maintenance personnel, along with real time pictures of work in action (midnight roof or hvac repairs with video!). Or portfolio specific sites that would track similar information, and tracking info comparing jobs on a per square foot or per hour basis across differing contractors seems like just the tip of the iceberg.

Property Redevelopment though would be a lot tougher. Sometimes the key to a redevelopment is a lot more involved than just the cost per square foot. It may lead to more potential tenants - if a tenant is happy with a redeveloper they would work hand in hand with them to secure new or additional space, which can reduce costs for both sides.

I'm certain a buck or two could be made on this - most large property management houses already have something similar, though not as all-encompassing.

Ideally we'd design the site in house and beta test with real world scenarios and updates - now to find someone with the skills to put it together.
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New Decade, New Blog?

I've been considering taking up blogging again for a little while and, obviously, I'm giving it a whirl. I think instead of talking about specific projects I will try and focus on overall events without getting into specifics as then I don't have to dedicate hours on end to specific updates.

Having said all of that, I would note that the current climate seems to favor business development instead of pure one sector projects. In front of me are half a dozen new proposals at any given time - and while I appreciate the opportunities being offered, sometimes the players behind each are ... Intriguing.

With some deals - the key contact knows the figures, knows the terminology, and knows the industry well enough to repeat it in their sleep... But they are so difficult during the negotiations that their demeanor kills everything. Don't get me wrong - sticking to your guns or being a tough negotiator is a great trait, but some people really need to find a better passtime.

Maybe I'm just taking things the wrong way - at the end of the day the only person you can change is yourself.

But their must be a way to develop better deal flow... Maybe I need my own website? Or maybe that would just detract from the mystique. Heh.

Shazad
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Update

After quite a hiatus, an update is definitely in order. Hopefully this afternoon too!

Shazad
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Big News on the Horizon

Several projects are in the final stages of pre-development, moving quickly into the fast and furious world of feasibility, cost, and sustainability reports. Drawings are being developed and development permits sought at least in a few cases, and as more and more information comes to light more and more developments are being pieced together. Now more than ever I am interested in working partners versus simply trying to organize and develop systems myself.

A brief overview and update:

Fort Car Wash: The sale is now completed, save for one or two minor issues stemming from the local municipality and the inspection of a few valves. Sadly, the subsequent Fort Truck Bay Expansion has been shelved as a result - but this does free up some capital which can be moved into other projects.

Edson Car Wash: Going strong - weather permitting. Currently the main focus is obtaining more fleet accounts and developing the additional sources of income typically associated with this style of building. A "Mudbuster" is also being developed, and one excellent prototype was viewed in Rocky Mountain House. This prototype has been in service for the better part of a decade and it's structure and durability are a testament to the owners of the Car Wash that developed this. A patent has been filed on this product, and I wish the inventors the best of luck as it is an excellent, high quality, effective solution to the mud and debris-related problems faced in rural communities.

Truck Stop Development: A suitable parcel with a seller willing to sell has been located. Time is required to put this style of deal together, though several other methods have been put forward in terms of Corporate Structure and Financing to assist this deal move through it's paces. I would expect construction on this project potentially this year (2007) culminating in early 2008. This may be a portion of a much larger development, though I would still expect this to require $600-750,000 as an equity portion.

Rural Industrial: A reasonable parcel with a potentially willing seller may have been located. More information as it becomes available, though there may be some other options in this regard.

Rural Multi-Family: A parcel has been obtained and developmental drawings are in their early phases. This forms the first portion of a three phase development on this parcel, though a meeting with the local developmental authority may provide additional options. The commercial portion of this development is the one that is most appealing at this point, with a myriad of options available.

Destination Development: With the upswing on consumer spending capability in Alberta an interesting offshoot has been the destination development. This style of development serves a specific use and relates only to gatherings of a group of similarly minded persons for a specific purpose. A working partner is the main stumbling block in this case, but a three to four acre site would allow for the best solution. More info as it becomes available, and preferrably to fruition.

Well, here's to tommorrow and the brightness it brings.

Growth

Recently I have been trying to push the boundaries of what I know and move into an area of development much larger in scope and size compared to what I have traditionally been doing.

It's been hard slogging. On many occassions I did not believe I could do it. I must have "almost" given up a half dozen times. I'm still not out of the woods yet. But I do feel as though a major hurdle has been overcome. I feel as though I am achieving this next level and moving myself and my growth in the direction it needs to be.

Without getting into too much of the philosophy behind all of this - let's just say that unlike the majority of subjects out there, the nature and source of information on this particular area of development is extremely limited and typically comes only from actually living the experience. So what is it that I'm trying to do? Well.... I can't really reveal the details until we have shovels in the ground, so to speak - but I'll try and give an example of the growth I'm trying to undertake.

To date, I have mostly undertaken small to medium sized commercial projects - car washes, strip centers, plazas and the like. The majority of my focus has been on 1 to 2 year developmental projects. Typically in the sub $5,000,000 CDN range. A few projects have been loftier reaching in to the $20,000,000 range, but as yet this size of development has not come to fruition.

The growth I am trying to reach is into this $20-25,000,000 range. However, this range has been strangely elusive to me. What I have come to realize in the last several months is that I must reach still higher to achieve even this level of development. The developmental goals I am now focused on are of the $60-100,000,000 range and would take place over 5 to 7 years. Thus, I achieve my $20,000,000 developmental goals but on a recurring basis inplace of as a one time project.

And the thing that helps to cement that I am on the right track - since I have opened my mind to such a project and all that is required, I have come across 2 separate sites in the two communities I had in mind to pursue. In addition, information is coming as to better communities to focus on (out of the two we focused on, one is an ideal hot spot and the other we will have to develop into one), and potential clients are supplying the information to us as well as assisting with the design.

As soon as I opened myself to the ideas presenting themselves a myriad of options become available and the deals piece themselves together with the layout and schedules almost appearing on the pages. When the student is ready, the teacher shall appear - and sometimes the teacher is what is already within you.

Here's to tomorrow, and all the promise it holds.

Where to Begin?

It's been quite a journey til now.
These last few months have seemed like years in terms of growth and knowledge.

First the updates:

Fort Car Wash: Phase One Renovations complete. Phase Two Truck Bay Expansion drawings complete. Development permit has some hiccups, but after a meeting or two, we should have a path forward on this issue.

Edson Car Wash: Up and running. After several months worth of gremlins, the troubles seem to have stemmed from an incorrectly installed CPU and have since been corrected.

Urban Market: On hold until I clone myself.

West Edmonton Industrial Strip Center: On hold until Spring 2007.

There are a host of other developments in the final stages of analysis moving towards becoming full fledged projects.

Edmonton Area Staged Project: A multi-phased project in a nearby Edmonton locality. The first two stages center around 30 unit multi-family apartment style condominium complexes. The final stage creates a medical based strip center. This project is expected to last 3-4 years. More info as it comes together.

Edmonton Area Industrial Project: Another multi-phased project in a nearby Edmonton locality. Several sites are being chosen which would allow for some commercial applications - Gas Bar, Car/ Truck Wash, Truck Stop, Motel, Restaurant, and Miscellaneous CRU; in addition to the primary goal of establishing an industrial complex. This project is expected to last 5-6 years.

Edmonton Area Land Development: Again, a multi-phased project involving the development of raw land to a planned community consisting of rural acreages, commercial, residential, and multi-family style areas.

Industrial and Truck Wash Development: Several communities in Northern Alberta are being researched for a new Industrial and Truck Wash development. Two front runners are located significantly far from Edmonton (3-5 hours driving time). Careful consideration needs to be placed on this development, solely from the travel perspective.

Here's to tomorrow and the tremendous planning involved in just one of these projects.

Busier than Ever

I apologize for the delay in posting, but here's an overview of the current projects:

Fort Car Wash: Phase One renovations and refinancing complete. Construction portion of renovation (Doors, steel coating, and motor repositioning) was scheduled for 4 days and lasted 5. 1 additional day was required for curing of steel coating.
Equipment portion of renovation is actually still ongoing. Work was estimated at 2-3 days, actual was closer to 2 weeks. Equipment supplier is short on manpower, and the current installation is still incorrect. Timer display is not 100% functional and random fluctuations still occur. Disappointing.

Fort Car Wash Phase 2: Truck Expansion still planned. Searching out alternatives to alleviate some pressures.

Edson Car Wash: Up and Running. Construction has some deficiencies and electrical has left alot to the imagination. Equipment supplier still has deficiencies (same supplier as in Fort Saskatchewan) . Credit Card based payment system is still outstanding. Automatic has had a string of issues. Seems to be corrected at this point.
Name has been trademarked as : Splash & Go Car Wash

Urban Market: With renewed vigor we chase this project. Manpower, location, equity position, and suppliers in place. Focus and vendors required.

West Edmonton Industrial Strip Center: On hold till Spring 2007.

Commercial Strip Center: This project has been dropped. I do not believe in the long term stability of this development nor this location.

Rural Multi-Family: This project is still on the books and will be combined with a Commercial Plaza Development. I expect to sell of a portion of this project to fund the other portion.

A host of other projects are currently being progressed upon but the details at this point are difficult to pass along without specifics.

Here's to the future.

An Overdue Update

Fort Car Wash Refinancing: Financing Institution has agreed to the financing package put forward. Currently jumping through hoops and completing renovations as required.

Fort Car Wash Phase 2: Local competition has closed up shop and the building is now in recievership. Commercial bay requests continue to increase. A brochure is currently being assembled for this expansion - construction could potentially start as early as August/ September 2006, completing in early 2007.

Each bay would measure 25' wide and 110' long and would include it's own fixed catwalk. This new construction would cost an additional 65% as compared to the original constructed value and would allow for two additional industrial bays (as compared to 10 car bays).

The advantage being that a truck will take 45-60 minutes to clean, versus a car or pickup which takes on average 10 minutes. Add to this the extra large bay requirements and the subsequent additional charge for use ($1.25 per minute versus $0.60 per minute) and the benefits quickly add up.

Car/Pickup (denoted "Car") versus Long Haul Truck/ Industrial Vehicle (denoted "Truck") Direct Comparison:

• Typical Car Wash: $6
• Typical Established Car Wash Occupancy (Rural): 25-35%
• Typical Cost per Bay - Car (without Land): $125,000
• Typical Income Range per Bay - Car: $3,800-5,300 per month

• Typical Truck Wash: $65
• Typical Established Truck Wash Occupancy (Rural): 35-50%
• Typical Cost per Bay - Truck (without Land): $350,000
• Typical Income Range per Bay - Truck: $11,000-15,800 per month

Edson Car Wash: Construction continues. Labor shortage affects our major suppliers. Car Wash equipment may not be complete until end of June 2006.

Urban Market: Research continues. More focus required.

A few new projects on the horizon. More details as they become available.
The lack of detailed information will be mitigated soon.

Here's to the future.