Tax plan: Big savings, major cuts

Tax plan: Big savings, major cuts The Legislature is preparing to cut the average property-tax bill 7 percent this year, and then ask voters next year if they want to save far more by supersizing homeowner tax exemptions, under a plan Republican leaders released late Friday after weeks of secret talks. Total cost to local …

For many, Wilma created an endless storm of bills [South Florida]

For many, Wilma created an endless storm of bills [South Florida] Since Hurricane Wilma blew through in 2005, thousands of South Florida condominium owners have been caught in what seems like an endless financial whirlwind. Juan Awais, 68, whose sole income is $484 a month from Social Security, has paid $2,200 in special assessments toward …

Tampa tower loses Trump

Tampa tower loses Trump Trump Tower Tampa has lost its biggest asset: the Trump name itself. New York tycoon Donald Trump has terminated his contract with SimDag, the Tampa development team behind the proposed $300-million condo tower long touted as west Florida’s tallest and most luxurious. Trump’s defection could be fatal to a project launched …

Waldemere Plaza deal back on track [South Florida]

Waldemere Plaza deal back on track [South Florida] Sarasota Memorial Hospital expected in early 2006 to have the sale of its Waldemere Medical Plaza wrapped up before the calendar turned over. Five months into this year, hospital officials are now hoping to complete a pending $25 million deal to sell the eight-story building to a …

Commercial real estate still roars [Central Florida]

Commercial real estate still roars [Central Florida] Rob Guthrie has been expecting demand to fall for the small industrial buildings he builds. After all, a slowdown in industrial property usually follows a slowdown in the housing market, and right now, housing is in one doozy of a slowdown. Instead, this year, Guthrie has sold out …