At 11:27 a.m. Saturday, that nickname became reality when a voice from the airport control tower crackled through Emmons’ radio: “Alert 3, Alert 3, plane crash, plane crash.”

“I knew from her voice that the event we were going to was real,” Emmons said Monday.

Within minutes, she and other firefighters were scrambling up the inflatable chutes of Asiana Airlines Flight 214, even as black smoke billowed out and passengers slid down to escape.

In the back of the plane – which had lost its tail after clipping a seawall short of the runway – they joined a city police officer wearing no protective gear and rescued four injured victims, including one who was trapped.

The account of the first responders emerged at a news conference in which firefighters described a chaotic, rapidly changing scene after the crash, which killed two girls and injured dozens of other people.

‘Surreal’ scene

“It seemed to be surreal, like it wasn’t happening,” said fire Lt. Dave Monteverdi.

Emmons said that as she drove across the tarmac toward the crash, she saw a huge column of smoke. “Adrenaline was flowing,” she said, “and I had to keep reminding my driver, if we don’t get there, we won’t be able to help anybody.”

The firefighters found the Boeing 777 on its belly, with jet fuel leaking from the left wing and passengers streaming down the chutes. Firefighters were hearing from the crew that some passengers were still trapped inside, and some crew members were unaccounted for.

Monteverdi climbed a chute from a left-side door, along with Emmons and firefighter-paramedic Mike Kirk. A hose line was fed to them, they said, and they knocked down flames in the fuselage.

Stuck in debris

Kirk soon radioed that he had found one flight attendant and four passengers still in the back of the plane, including an elderly man and a person who was stuck in debris.

There was less smoke in the back but more damage from the landing. “It was hectic,” Emmons said. “The back of the plane did not hold up as well as the front of the plane.”

One of two people put on backboards, Monteverdi said, was a woman who appeared to have fractured legs. One man was groaning, and the crew had little time to assess his injuries.

“We were running out of time,” Monteverdi said. “The smoke was getting thicker and thicker. We had no choice. We stood him up. Amazingly, he began shuffling his feet.”

Officer rushes in

The firefighters said they were shocked to see San Francisco police Officer Jim Cunningham inside the plane helping out, wearing only his uniform.

Cunningham said he had heard the call come through the radio and rushed to the scene just as the chutes were deployed, bringing with him an ambulance he had waved down on his way to the crash.

Outside the plane, he said, he and his partner, Officer Derrick Lee, threw knives up to the crew so they could cut passengers out of their seat belts as jet fuel “gushed out like a fire hose” near him.

“We kept trying to get the crew off, but they were really brave,” Cunningham said. “They wanted to stay with the plane.”

Cunningham cleared away luggage and other debris that was blocking a hole where the tail used to be. As he looked up into the plane through the opening, he said, “it didn’t look like they had enough people.” So he went in.

‘Didn’t think about it’

“I was just running back and forth trying to help people,” Cunningham said. “I didn’t think about it. I just knew people were trapped in there. I just thought, ‘I’m kind of a tough guy, I can hold my breath if there’s a lot of smoke.’ “

At one point, he said, he picked up an iPhone, flicked it on, saw a picture of a mother and daughter and thought, “Someone’s going to want this.” He pocketed the phone and turned it over to a person who could track the owner down.

Even after he left the plane, Cunningham was worried there had been a miscommunication. He had heard that more people were onboard than he had found.

“I wanted to go back in and look through the rubble,” he said. “I started crying because I was thinking I screwed up and somebody got killed.”

Ultimately, everyone the first responders found aboard the plane was helped to safety. “I feel very lucky and blessed we were able to get those people out,” Emmons said.

Vivian Ho and Demian Bulwa are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. E-mail: vho@sfchronicle.com, dbulwa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @vivianho, @demianbulwa

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/How-rescuers-saved-SF-plane-crash-victims-4652751.php

“In many areas, we are seeing more interest in urban infill locations than in remote exurbs, which is having a pronounced shift in neighborhood design elements,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker. “And regardless of city or suburban dwellers, people are asking more from their communities in terms of access to public transit, walkable areas and close proximity to job centers, retail options and open space.”

Half of residential architecture firms highlight demand for multi-generational housing, up from 44 percent in 2011. Fifty-nine percent said access to public transportation is key, up from 47 percent a year ago. (Read More: New Nightmare for Home Builders: Not Enough Skilled Workers)

More homeowners are also upsizing what they have, with 58 percent of architects reporting improvement in additions and alterations, up from just 35 percent a year ago; kitchen and bath, as usual, top the must-have list.

During the last housing boom, extravagance drove new construction and remodeling. Now, the trends are more practical, with energy efficiency and the need to accommodate growing families driving the gains. Home owners are also looking to builders to help them use the space they have more efficiently, especially Baby Boomers.

“They have a lot of desires for the home, and we’re hearing this group say they want functionality and smartly-designed homes without wasted space,” said Meyer, who adds that this doesn’t necessarily translate into smaller homes. While these findings bode well for the home builders, they may also add optimism to the upper end of the market, and all those so-called “McMansions,” many of which lost significant value during the housing crash. (Read More: Pending Home Sales Surge to Five Year High)

Article source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100321206

Terreno Realty Corporation

(
TRNO

), a real estate investment trust (REIT), has recently acquired an
industrial building spanning 85,000 square feet in Laurel,
Maryland, for approximately $7.0 million. The property was
purchased from an unnamed seller.

The acquisition is part of the long-term strategy of the company to
abstain from pursuing ground-up development or land investments,
and instead own functional and flexible buildings in infill
locations that can be modified to accommodate single and multiple
tenants at discounts to replacement cost.

The acquired property is presently 100% leased to a single tenant.
The industrial building is strategically located in the
Baltimore/Washington corridor park, in close proximity to
Interstate 95 – the key highway on the East Coast of the U.S.
Consequently, the properties bring on board unmatched distribution
space for the company.

The estimated stabilized cap rate of the asset is 7.6%. Total
acquisition cost of the property included the initial purchase
price, the effects of marking assumed debt to market, due diligence
and closing costs, estimated near-term capital expenditures, and
leasing costs necessary to achieve stabilization.

San Francisco-based Terreno Realty owns and operates industrial
real estate properties primarily in six major coastal markets of
the U.S. These include the high barrier-to-entry markets of Los
Angeles, Northern New Jersey/New York City, San Francisco Bay Area,
Seattle, Miami and Washington D.C./Baltimore.

As of September 30, 2012, Terreno Realty owned 63 buildings
aggregating 4.8 million square feet in high barrier-to-entry
markets of Los Angeles, Northern New Jersey/New York City, San
Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Miami and Washington D.C./Baltimore.
The properties were approximately 92.6% leased to 97 tenants.

Each of the locations in which Terreno Realty has a significant
presence is characterized by a well-established transportation
network – seaports, airports, highways and railways that are
essential for the swift distribution of goods. In addition,
available land in these markets is scarce, resulting in steep
barriers for the development of new and competing properties.

We have a Neutral rating on Terreno Realty, which presently has a
Zacks #3 Rank translating into a short-term Hold rating. We also
have a Neutral recommendation and a Zacks #4 Rank (short-term Sell
rating) for
DCT Industrial Trust Inc.

(
DCT

), one of the competitors of Terreno Realty.

 

DCT INDUSTRIAL (DCT): Free Stock Analysis
Report

 

TERRENO REALTY (TRNO): Free Stock Analysis
Report

 

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

 

Zacks Investment
Research

Article source: http://community.nasdaq.com/News/2012-10/terreno-realty-acquires-md-property-analyst-blog.aspx?storyid=181923

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Nov 10, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
Allied Properties REIT


/quotes/zigman/26584 CA:AP.UN
+0.59%



announced today that it has
entered into agreements to purchase the following properties for $112
million:

                                                 Total    Office    Retail   Parking
        Address                                    GLA       GLA       GLA    Spaces
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Leeson and Lineham Block, Calgary       30,770    25,594     5,176         4
        Westcoast Building, Calgary             19,499    19,499         0         9
        The Chambers, Ottawa                   211,110   196,328    15,951       144
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total                                  261,379   241,421    21,127       157
        ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allied also announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell 67
Richmond Street West in Toronto for $13.5 million.

With the acquisitions announced today, Allied has completed or
announced 23 acquisitions in 2011 for $461 million. “On closing of
these acquisitions, we’ll have established five new target markets in
a short period of time,” said Michael Emory, President CEO. “While
adhering to our investment and operating focus, we’ve propelled our
urban office portfolio to a national scale and significantly boosted
our annual AFFO per unit in the process.”

Calgary Acquisitions

Located on the Stephen Avenue Mall, immediately west of Fashion
Central, which Allied acquired earlier this year, the Leeson and
Lineham Block (209 – 8th Avenue S.W.) is a restored heritage property
comprised of 30,770 square feet of GLA and four surface parking
spaces. It is fully leased to tenants consistent in character and
quality with Allied’s tenant base. Built in 1910 as one of several
business blocks, the property was extensively restored and renovated
between 1998 and 2000. It is on the Inventory of Evaluated Historic
Resources maintained by the City of Calgary.

Located on the 11th Avenue S.W., in close proximity to the Roberts
Block, which Allied acquired earlier this year, the Westcoast
Building (522 – 11th Avenue S.W.) is a restored heritage property
comprised of 19,499 square feet of GLA and nine surface parking
spaces. It is fully leased to tenants consistent in character and
quality with our tenant base. Built in 1912 as a warehouse, the
property was extensively restored and renovated in the 1980s. It is
on the Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources maintained by the
City of Calgary.

Ottawa Acquisition

Located on the southwest corner of Sparks and Elgin, just west of
Confederation Square and a half-block south of the Parliament
Buildings, The Chambers (40-46 Elgin Street) is comprised of four
contiguous structures, three of which are heritage buildings and the
fourth of which is a 14-storey office building. Similar to what
Allied envisages with respect to its large-scale intensification
project at QRC West, the property is comprised of 211,110 square feet
of GLA and 144 underground parking spaces. It is 96.5% leased to
investment-grade tenants, including the National Capital Commission
(70% of the GLA) and Shaw Communications. The leases have a weighted
average lease term in excess of 6.7 years. The heritage components of
the property–The Scottish-Ontario Chambers, The Central Chambers and
The Bell Block–were constructed between 1867 and 1891, renovated
extensively in 1994 and are designated under the Ontario Heritage
Act. The newer component of the property was constructed in 1994.

Toronto Disposition

Located on the south side of Richmond Street, just west of the
intersection with Bay Street, 67 Richmond Street West is comprised of
50,122 square feet of GLA and is fully leased. It has no strategic
significance in the context of Allied’s portfolio. On disposition at
the sale price, the property will have afforded a very high internal
rate of return to Allied’s unitholders over a six-year period.

Closings and Financing

The disposition is expected to close in December of 2011, and the
acquisitions are expected to close by the end of February, 2012, in
all cases subject to customary conditions. The purchase price for the
three properties to be acquired represents a capitalization rate of
approximately 6.7% applied to the annual net operating income (“NOI”)
in year one. On closing, the Leeson and Lineham Block will be subject
to a first mortgage financing in the approximate principal amount of
$5.24 million, having a term expiring in July of 2013, bearing
interest at 4.25% per year and payable in blended instalments of
principal and interest based on a 25-year amortization period. The
Chambers will be subject to a first mortgage in the principal amount
of $52.4 million, having a term expiring in September of 2018,
bearing interest at an effective rate of 3.8% per year and payable in
blended instalments of principal and interest based on a 20-year
amortization period. The remaining property will be free and clear on
closing. Allied will fund the acquisitions with proceeds from
recently completed first mortgage financings.

Cautionary Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements with
respect to Allied, its operations, strategy, financial performance
and condition. These statements generally can be identified by use of
forward looking words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “estimate”,
“anticipate”, intends”, “believe” or “continue” or the negative
thereof or similar variations. The actual results and performance of
Allied discussed herein could differ materially from those expressed
or implied by such statements. Such statements are qualified in their
entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future
expectations, including that the transactions contemplated herein are
completed. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from expectations include, among other things,
general economic and market factors, competition, changes in
government regulations and the factors described under “Risk Factors”
in Allied’s Annual Information Form, which is available at

www.sedar.com . These cautionary statements qualify all
forward-looking statements attributable to Allied and persons acting
on Allied’s behalf. Unless otherwise stated, all forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the
parties have no obligation to update such statements.

“Capitalization rate” is not a measure recognized under International
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and does not have any
standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Capitalization rate is
presented in this press release because management of Allied believes
that this non-IFRS measure is relevant in interpreting the purchase
price of the properties being acquired. Capitalization rate, as
computed by Allied, may differ from similar computations as reported
by other similar organizations and, accordingly, may not be
comparable to capitalization rate reported by such organizations.

NOI is not a measure recognized under IFRS and does not have any
standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. NOI is presented in this
press release because management of Allied believes that this
non-IFRS measure is relevant in interpreting the purchase price of
the property being acquired. NOI, as computed by Allied, may differ
from similar computations as reported by other similar organizations
and, accordingly, may not be comparable to NOI reported by such
organizations.

Allied Properties REIT is a leading owner, manager and developer of
urban office environments that enrich experience and enhance
profitability for business tenants operating in Canada’s major
cities. Its objectives are to provide stable and growing cash
distributions to unitholders and to maximize unitholder value through
effective management and accretive portfolio growth.

        Contacts:
        Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust
        Michael R. Emory
        President and Chief Executive Officer
        (416) 977-0643
        memory@alliedpropertiesreit.com

SOURCE: Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

        mailto:memory@alliedpropertiesreit.com

Copyright 2011 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.

/quotes/zigman/26584

Add AP.UN to portfolio

CA:AP.UN

Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/allied-properties-real-estate-investment-trust-announces-continued-expansion-in-western-canada-expansion-into-ottawa-and-disposition-of-non-core-asset-in-toronto-2011-11-10?reflink=MW_news_stmp

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) September 24, 2011

The number one resale residential brokerage in San Francisco’s Soma, South Beach, and Mission Bay areas is San Francisco’s home sales company, Climb Real Estate Group.

In San Francisco MLS data for the 3rd quarter of 2011, Climb demonstrated that the brokerage was recently combining the sales volume of all condominium sales in Soma, South Beach, Rincon Hill and Mission Bay.

Fueled by low interest rates, the booming technology market, and San Francisco’s close proximity to Silicon Valley, condominium property sales in the area have risen.

Dirk Kinley, Senior Broker Associate and owner, says, “I’m thrilled to announce our new position in the marketplace. This milestone could only be accomplished by our growing roster of agents, confidence from the buyers and sellers we represent, and brand recognition from consumers.”

Two new construction projects, Madrone by Bosa in Mission Bay and Homes on Esprit Park in Central Waterfront, place Climb Real Estate Group in an ideal location at the base of Potrero Hill.

A few of the interesting properties available include: The Clock Tower Lofts and The Oriental Warehouse in South Beach; Chelsea Park in Mission Dolores; The Comstock and Nob Hill; The Jackson Brewery and Soma Grand, in Soma; Royal Towers in Russian Hill; Candlestick Cove in Bayview Heights; The Residences at Jackson Square; The Potrero Square Lofts and The Potrero in Potrero Hill; the Pacific Cannery Lofts, 200 Second, and The Ellington in Oakland.

Interested buyers can visit the website www.climbsf.com for more information, pictures and open houses on the extensive list of properties for sale and rent; call (415) 431-8888; or visit Climb Real Estate Group conveniently located on 16th Street and Rhode Island at the base of Potrero Hill. Also visit Climb Real Estate Group on facebook, twitter, and four square. Stay informed by signing up for the Climb Real Estate Newsletters and Market Intelligent Reports.

About Climb Real Estate

Climb Real Estate is a San Francisco-based real estate company that specializes in home sales and selling urban style properties that consists of new construction, historic loft conversions, live/work spaces, Victorian flats, modern condominiums, luxury homes and modern single family homes. Climb Real Estate provides the top buyers and sellers in San Francisco providing property sales, marketing services, access to developer specials and new development projects, and experienced broker support.

###

For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prwebhome-sales/san-francisco/prweb8825703.htm

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/09/24/prweb8825703.DTL

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) August 31, 2011

Paige Gienger, a San Francisco real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, announces the current market data shows that now may be the right time to purchase real estate properties.

As a premier real estate agent specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Paige Gienger’s mission is to provide clients with unparalleled service through all phases of the real estate transaction. Her past experience in market cycles has given her knowledge of the ebb and flow of the real estate market and she believes that now is the right time to buy.

“Now is a great time to explore purchasing real estate, specifically in San Francisco,” said Paige Gienger. “This is because San Francisco is one of five major cities where sale prices of homes expect to raise the second half of 2011. According to Clear Capital’s home data index July forecast. Clear Capital provides financial institutions with real-estate valuation and risk assessment information. San Francisco was less impacted by real estate speculation and where fewer foreclosures occurred. A return to the fundamentals of lending also contributes to a stable housing market.”

The local spring market showed a steady monthly increase in home sales, while year over year data for June reveals the lowest inventory and prices in two years. Historically low mortgage interest rates, rising rental rates and rental demand may make owning a home less expensive than renting.

There are other factors for the rise of San Francisco real estate market that are as a strong. The great Northern California location benefits moderate weather climates, close proximity to recreation, parks, beaches and mountains. The city and the surrounding areas have seen a recent increase in jobs and include top-rated universities and expanding medical centers. The Bay Area economy is enhanced by being a tourist Mecca with a known food and wine culture.

For more information about Paige Gienger, and to view her current listings, call her at 415-692-5623 or visit her on the web at www.ontherightpaige-sf.com.

About Paige Gienger

Born and raised in Mountain View and Los Altos Gienger is a proud life-long resident of the San Francisco Bay Area and is familiarized with all San Francisco’s desirable residential neighborhoods. A San Francisco homeowner and 21 year resident with concern and commitment to the community she serves.

Within the Gienger Family, Real Estate expertise comes naturally. Her mother is a top producing Coldwell Banker Agent. Working in her mother’s thriving business, she rapidly acquired inside knowledge and proven actions for sales success.

Paige’s personable and professional personality is the winning combination that has earned her a stellar reputation during her twelve years of helping clients buy and sell homes. Gienger’s personal philosophy is that customer service and satisfaction always comes first. She ensures an enjoyable real estate experience by incorporating her intimate knowledge of Bay Area communities and attention to detail while navigating through current real estate market hurdles.

###

For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prwebreal-estate-agent/san-francisco/prweb8758532.htm

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/08/31/prweb8758532.DTL