The U-Haul Company of Northern Georgia has purchased an existing self-storage facility covering more than 53,000 square feet in Canton, Ga., an exurb 40 miles north of Atlanta.

The facility, called U-Haul Moving and Storage of Canton, spans three stories, and has 379 indoor, outdoor, climate-controlled, and boat-and-RV self-storage units.

Company represenatives note the facility's 24-hour security with electronically controlled access, digital video surveillance, free use of storage carts, no deposit or administration fees, credit card payment plans and Safestor Protection for personal possessions.

The store will reportedly offer environnmentally-friendly packing options, including boxes made out of recyclable materials, 100 percent biodegradable packing peanuts, and moving pads made from recycled denim. Also on site will be a Take a Box/Leave a Box display, which allows customers or anyone in the community to leave moving boxes or unwanted electronics boxes for another customer to reuse for free.

In business since 1945, U-Haul has a network of more than 16,300 locations in all 50 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces.

Strategic Storage Trust Inc., a publicly registered non-traded real estate investment trust focusing on self-storage, recently acquired more than an 80 percent interest in a 10-property portfolio worth nearly $37.6 million.

Strategic Storage Trust acquired the other 20 percent interest in transactions between September 2009 and November 2010. The total portfolio includes approximately 5,440 units and 726,000 square feet.

The recently acquired sites will be rebranded as SmartStop Self Storage and are located in the following states:

• Texas: Five propertiesapproximately 2,860 units and 413,000 square feet.
• North Carolina: Three propertiesapproximately 1,580 units and 179,000 square feet.
• Georgia: Two propertiesapproximately 1,000 units and 134,000 square feet.

Launched in 2008, the Strategic Storage Trust portfolio of wholly-owned properties now includes 55 properties across 16 U.S. states and Canada.

Solar panels were recently installed on the rooftops of four Claytons Self Storage locations in Atlantic City, Mays Landing, Egg Harbor Township and Galloway, N.J.

Dynamic Solar LLC, a fully integrated solar firm, completed 300kW rooftop project. The project involved complex regulatory filings including the configuration of 10 different electrical accounts with Atlantic City Electric. Dynamic Solar will provide the management of each site's solar renewable energy credits. 

Wounded Warrior Outdoors Inc., a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic outdoor excursions to wounded U.S. and Canadian soldiers, will host its first fundraising event Feb. 24 at the University Club of Orlando in Florida.

The event, hosted by University Club Member Cole Whitaker, is from 6 to 8 p.m. Complimentary hors doeuvres will be served. There will also be a cash bar with drink specials, and a silent auction. Items up for bid include fishing trips, airline tickets, hunting gear, Orlando Magic basketball tickets, and other unique items.

All tips, donations and auction proceeds will benefit WWO. The event is free but reservations are required. Reservations can be made by calling 407.425.2514 or e-mailing [email protected].

WWO was founded by Ron Raboud, CEO of The Rabco Corp., which provides pre-engineered metal buildings for the self-storage industry. The non-profit covers all the expenses for the veterans trips, including airfare, ground transportation, food and lodging. The goal is to provide outdoor trips for up to 50 veterans every year as funding allows. The trips take place at four diverse locations, including Alaska, Florida and Texas in the States, and British Columbia, Canada.  

WWO also recently launched the One for the Troops campaign. The fundraiser encourages self-storage operators around the country to donate the proceeds from any size self-storage unit to WWO. Operators can commit to a single month or make it an ongoing donation, and can choose any size unit.

For more information about Wounded Warrior Outdoors, e-mail [email protected]; visit www.woundedwarrioroutdoors.com.

By Ryan Regina

In todays turbulent economy, any organization looking to start a new construction project faces certain challenges. Choosing the right commercial developer and design/builder using criteria based on individualized, industry-specific needs can make the difference between a successful project and a bona fide disaster.

With the glut of service providers floundering in this space and willing to cut dealsand corners in kindits imperative to take even a few fundamental considerations into account before signing on the dotted line.

A commercial construction project usually involves one overriding factor above all others: the bottom line. While certainly a critical factor in the decision-making process, budget shouldnt be the only one. When cost alone is the primary focus of a project, serious repercussions are likely to follow, including poor service, time delays, hidden costs, change orders and non-existent follow up to name just a few.

When vetting commercial developers and design/builders, its important to consider each and every aspect of the project life cycle, from the companys own vision to the post-project completion period. Here are a few key life cycle-based hiring considerations.

Budget

Understanding precisely how financial limitations will impact the related financing process at large is far easier when partnering with an organization knowledgeable about commercial-construction finance and can walk the customer through each and every step. While most developers and design/builders will simply refer their customers to a bank or other lenders for financial advice, its best to seek a higher caliber, full-service firm that provides such financial planning consultation in-house.

Service Scope

The commercial developer and design/builder industry is fragmented, and theres little service standardization. The majority of companies offer only a portion of services required in the entire project life cycle, and do not provide the comprehensive oversight that allows clients to disengage from the construction project and maintain focus on their other business development and growth initiatives. Its optimal to retain a commercial developer and design/builder with a full-solution, end-to-end approach, which offers the benefit of single contact point project control and accountability.

Image

If the proposed project is out of reach due to image reasons, a reputable developer and design/build organization should be willing and able to help resolve the problem. This may involve the need to table the project for as long as necessary and assist the organization in corrective measures, such as an image change. Presenting lenders with the right image as a borrower can be facilitated by an experienced developer and design/builder that provides financing procurement as a service.

Additionally, appearance is everything with local and regional authorities who can also impact a project. To best ensure necessary municipal approvals are granted, hire a developer and design/builder that can position and project your image in a way thats accurate and a benefit to the community.

Industry Experience

Whether a medical office, a church, an office park or any type of commercial property, each type of business has specific needs that not all developers and design/builders are prepared to meet. Its essential to hire a company with the ability, experience and expertise necessary to plan and execute the project so it meets both the vision of the client and the realistic financial restraints.

Companies that are suited for a given project will not only have the technical expertise to build a new facility to the desired specifications, but will also have the clients best interests in mind throughout the entire process.

Development

Organizations often attempt to serve as project developer only to learn it takes a specialized skill set and years of developer experience to do the job effectively. While development is viewed as exciting and challenging, its usually underestimated from a time and experience perspective. When developing in the commercial realm, its important to hire a firm that has a demonstrated track record of working in partnership with high-caliber architects, engineers and subcontractors with synergistic philosophies to deliver a high-quality product.

Land/Property Acquisition

The most critical step to a successful land acquisition is a properly structured agreement. While this may sound elementary, all too often organizations forego consultation and enter into a land agreement that doesnt provide them the protection they need when faced with unforeseen circumstances. This can include land that ultimately doesnt meet their needs, more time is required to complete governing approvals or, worse, the project fails all together. Ensure the developer and design/build firm you hire has direct experience formulating land-agreement documentation, and be sure to cover a variety of what if scenarios as the paperwork is being prepared.

Architecture

The architecture aspect of a project can make or break the budget if clarity isnt achieved in the organizational phase. Problems arise when organizations circumvent organizational and financial assessments and go right to the architect, which can lead to multiple plan changes throughout the design phase or a floor plan that doesnt meet organizational needs. A qualified developer and design/builder will work closely with the architect, along with professional subcontractors who will be performing the work, to ensure project parameters are crystal clear and maximize the chance of the project being completed to spec, on time and on budget.

Engineering

A veteran developer and design/builder will partner with an engineering firm based on three criteria. The first is an exceptional relationship with town, borough or city personnel to better ensure required township approvals are secured. The second is firm size. Usually, the bigger the firm, the higher the cost and longer the work turnaround time. While this isnt true with all large firms, it does happen. Third, an engineering firm must have an in-depth understanding of state, county and local agency requirements. A well-rounded engineer understands the black, the white and the gray of a projects interpretation.

Legal

Hiring legal help is similar to engineering with respect to relationships and understanding requirements of state, county and local agencies, including laws and ordinances. Legal counsel that knows the players within a particular township can make a project much less turbulent.

Its also important legal representatives have adequate experience in Land Use Law, as the right counsel will know when a governing body is operating outside its jurisdiction. As a course of businesses, a full-service commercial developer and design/builder will identify and manage such legal aspects of project to readily work through the red tape.

Construction

Once the design, development and other front-end aspects of a project are approved, its time to build. Having a developer and design/builder on board from the vision stage through project completion means you dont have to go through the bid process again when its time to break ground.

It goes without saying, the development and design/build firm you hire should have extensive experience serving as project manager and general contractor for commercial construction projects of similar size, scale, scope and complexityoptimally in the same industry. Be sure to take onsite tours of buildings the company has helped design, develop and buildnew and oldas youll want to ensure the buildings stand the test of time.

Client Service

Development and design/build companies operate for profit. The most desirable, however, are aware their own success hinges upon that of their clients. Be sure to assess a firm beyond photographs in a project portfolio. Look for a company that has verifiable examples of how they provided solutions when unexpected problems arose. Experienced firms will have a well-honed protocol to minimize surprises and keep a client duly informed.

Much is also said about providing outstanding client service throughout the course of a project, but what about after final payment has been rendered and a project is complete? Will the level of service change? Its important to thoroughly interview past clients of the development and design/build firm under consideration, and to specifically ask about post-project interactions. Stellar referrals in this regard will speak volumes about a companys integrity and character.

Use this project life cycle-based checklist when hiring a commercial developer and design/builder and youll be well on your way to a successful outcome that not only meets, but may very well exceed expectations.

Ryan Regina is the co-founder and owner of Big Sky Enterprises, a commercial real estate developer, design/builder and finance firm that strategizes, executes and oversees every aspect of a project development life cycle to provide clients with single, professional contact-point control. For more information, visit www.bigskyllc.com.

The popularity of the A&E hit TV series Storage Wars is driving treasures-seekers to self-storage auctions around the country. At the same time, self-storage associations are petitioning state legislatures to change outdated and overly stringent lien laws. Many facility operators are discovering theyre not fully prepared to handle increased lien-sale attendance, or may not be up-to-date on their states statutes.

Self-storage owners and managers can learn how to run safe and profitable lien sales from industry experts at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo, March 14-16, at the Paris Hotel & Resort in Las Vegas. The expo will include two special seminars and a workshop focusing on lien sales.

Attendees who want to capitalize on the popularity of Storage Wars will learn the myths vs. realities of industry auctions and how to professionally operate sales from show auctioneer Dan Dotson as well as Lance Watkins of StorageTreasures. With 37 years of experience in the auction business, Dotson will give attendees tips on controlling the crowds at lien sales, while Watkins will explain how to increase revenue. 

The legal aspects of lien sales will be covered in a seminar presented by Scott Zucker, a partner with Weissmann Zucker Euster Morochnik PC, as well as an in-depth Legal Learning Live workshop presented by Jeffrey Greenberger, a partner in Katz, Greenberger & Norton LLP. Zucker will discuss the dos and donts of lien sales and offer strategies to help protect a self-storage business. Greenberger will delve deeper into the lien-sale process, providing related checklists, forms and other resources.

The ISS Expo features four comprehensive education tracks covering the industrys most relevant issues, two days of exhibits with nearly 100 vendors, four add-on intensive workshops and multiple peer-to-peer networking events. Details about the industrys largest conference and tradeshow can be found at www.insideselfstorageworldexpo.com. Registration can be completed online or by calling 800.230.2311.

Sentencing for a Canadian man convicted of smuggling and delivering drugs to a self-storage facility in New York was rescheduled for April 11.

Silvano Cicuto pled guilty in September to drug charges in a U.S. District Court. In 2009, Cicuto agreed to sell drugs to an undercover DEA agent. The drop off for the exchange was Manhattan Mini Storage. When the shipment arrived Oct. 29, 2009, DEA agents seized 150,000 ecstasy pills.

Cicuto, 72, was living in New Westminster, Vancouver, Canada, when the U.S. charges were filed. Hes been in a N.Y. jail for a year, but now has health issues. Friends, family and former employees filed reference letters with the court before the sentencing. His attorney has asked the court to allow Cicuto to return to Vancouver and serve his sentence under house arrest.

Phoenix-based OpenTech Alliance Inc., developer of the INSOMNIAC line of self-storage kiosks, released a white paper this week summarizing self-storage kiosk use in 2010 and demonstrating how consumers are using self-serve tools. Last year, customers used OpenTechs INSOMNIAC kiosks to rent 19,089 storage units, make 171,938 payments, and purchase 9,736 locksa total of $18.8 million in self-service transactions throughout the United States and Canada.

OpenTechs kiosks collected more than $48 million in rental fees in 2010 and rented an average of 3.4 units per facility per month, a 20 percent increase over the 2009 average. The company attributes the increase to its new INSOMNIAC Live! Megan service, a call center that assists self-storage customers in completing transactions.

"Our internal goal is to reach an average of six rentals per kiosk per month as fast as we can, said Robert Chiti, president and CEO. At the Inside Self-Storage World Expo in Las Vegas, March 14-16, OpenTech will be demonstrating several new product enhancements that will help it reach this goal, including a two-way video conferencing service. The company will be exhibiting in booth No. 220.

More than half (54 percent) of new self-storage rentals made at OpenTech kiosks in 2010 were made during regular office hours, with 64 percent occurring on weekdays. Payments were split 50/50 between office hours and after hours, though a whopping 74 percent of payments were collected on weekdays as opposed to weekends. In addition, INSOMNIAC kiosks rented 445 units during the 11 major holidays in 2010, collecting $492,429 in rental fees on those days.

The statistics show that while credit cards were still the preferred method of payment, checks and cash still made up almost half of the total payments. Cash weighed in at 29 percent, checks at 15 percent and credit cards at 56 percent.

In addition to the white paper, OpenTech has developed a guide of best practices to help self-storage owners get the most value from their kiosks. This guide as well as the complete 2010 Kiosk Usage White Paper is available for download at Opentechalliance.com. The white paper can be accessed directly at www.opentechalliance.com/whitepaper/thank.php.

OpenTech products and services include seven models of INSOMNIAC self-storage kiosks ranging in price from $5,500 to $18,000, the INSOMNIAC Live!  call center, and the INSOMNIAC Self Storage Network for online storage reservations and rentals.

A couple in Alabama sued Sovran Acquisition Limited Partnership after their property was stolen from a unit at an Uncle Bobs Self Storage.

Tasha Robinson and Eddie Robinson signed a rental agreement March 1, 2008. The agreement stated tenants stored property at their own risk and must provide their own insurance to protect their goods against fire, theft or damage. The couple was also told when signing the rental agreement that the facility was protected by surveillance cameras 24 hours a day.

In July 2008, Sovran began renovations on the facility, causing the cameras to not function properly. On Aug. 13, someone broke into the Robinsons unit and stole the stored items. When the couple spoke with management about the break-in, they were told the surveillance cameras were not working properly during the renovation so the break-in wasnt recorded.

The Robinsons sued Sovran for negligence, wantonness, fraud, deceit, and breach of contract and asked for monetary damages to cover the loss.  

Sovran asked for a summary judgment on various grounds, and the trial court entered a judgment in their favor on all claims. The Robinsons then appealed to the state supreme court, and the case was transferred to the Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama, where the trial courts ruling was upheld.