Sovran Self Storage Inc., a real estate investment trust that operates the Uncle Bob's Self Storage brand, recently donated $125,000 to the Nelson D. Civello '67 Family Financial Markets Lab at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. The funds will be used to purchase and support Bloomberg Terminals, which provide live market data and news information around the clock as well as store information on private and public companies, according to the source.

Students in the college’s Golden Griffin Fund (GGF) investment-management course use the terminals extensively. As part of the course, they oversee a real-money fund that’s invested in more than 25 individual stocks and three equity Exchange Traded Funds, according to the college website. The students are undergraduate seniors and master of business administration finance majors.

Sovran President Kenneth Myszka earned a bachelor's degree in accounting at Canisius in 1970 and currently serves on its board of trustees. Sovran was also the subject of a research project by a team of GGF students, who won the global Chartered Financial Analyst Institute Research Challenge earlier this year.

Sovran operates more than 500 self-storage facilities in 25 states. The company ranked No. 5 on the Inside Self-Storage 2014 Top-Operators List, which ranks the industry’s top 100 operators by net rentable square feet. Sovran’s portfolio comprises more than 34 million square feet in more than 305,000 units.

U-Haul Co. of Montana will host a grand-opening event on June 27 to celebrate recently completed renovations at its facility at 990 E. Lyndale Ave. in Helena, Mont. Festivities will be held at U-Haul Moving and Storage of Helena from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., including a hot-dog barbecue and beverages, according to a press release.

"This grand-opening event is important to the Helena community because our current and future customers have an opportunity to come down to our facility and see the new products and services we have to offer," said Clay Edinger, general manager.

Improvements include the addition of climate-controlled storage, drinking fountains, an indoor loading dock, increased security, 24-hour access and an upgraded restroom.

The property has served the Helena community since July 1979.

Established in 1945, U-Haul International Inc. has more than 40 million square feet of storage space at more than 1,000 owned and managed facilities throughout North America.

Update 6/24/15 – Metro Storage formally announced plans this week for its self-storage conversion project at 3240 W. Touhy Ave. in Skokie. When complete, the facility will comprise 83,000 rentable square feet in 884 units. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with the project expected to be finished next spring.

“We obviously like the Chicago market, and we’re always looking for opportunities to expand here,” said Matt Nagel, chairman. “This property has all the right elements to construct and operate a successful storage facility.”

In addition to a raised roof that will accommodate a second floor, the project will include multiple loading points around the building. The facility will offer only climate-controlled units and feature security and a “large, modern business office,” company officials said in a press release.

“We knew this property was a good selection for conversion due to its excellent location on an extremely busy east/west arterial street with a dense three mile population, strong market demographics and a great retail building.” said Blair Nagel, CEO.

Metro Storage received an $8.1 million development loan from Associated Bank.

The facility will be Metro’s 19th in the Chicago market.

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3/27/15 – Metro Storage LLC, which operates the Metro Self Storage brand in 11 states, has proposed to convert a former Wickes Furniture building in Skokie, Ill., to self-storage. The Skokie Plan Commission recently recommended the site plan and other provisions submitted as part of the company’s application. The Village Board must still approve the project.

The retail property on the 3200 block of Touhy Avenue is about 4.4 acres, with the commercial building comprising more than 64,000 square feet, mostly on one floor, according to the source. Metro Storage intends to raise the roof of the structure to create space for a second-floor mezzanine, adding 58,421 square feet. The furniture store went out of business in 2008.

The self-storage facility would offer 812 units and 55 vehicle spaces. The company also plans to redesign the building’s exterior and add an office area to the southern end of the building. A 1-acre parcel on the southwest portion of the site would be reserved for future development, the source reported.

The property is also home to a branch of North Community Bank, which would not be altered under the plan, according to the source.

In addition to the site plan, the commission also recommended a subdivision of the property, a zoning-map amendment, a reduction in available parking spaces, and a business planned development and special-use permit for the existing building and bank. All of these measures will need to be approved by the board for the project to proceed, the source reported.

Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Metro Storage is a privately owned, fully integrated real estate operating company specializing in the development, acquisition and management of self-storage facilities nationwide. It operates about 100 self-storage properties in 11 states comprising more than 6.5 million square feet.

Storage Express, which operates self-storage properties in five states, recently opened a newly built self-storage facility in Lebanon, Ind., the company’s 89^th overall location. The property at 330 S. Garoffolo Blvd. is comprised of 30,000 square feet of storage space. Features include coded gate entry, a rental center, 24-hour access, and video cameras that stream live footage to the company’s headquarters in Bloomington, Ind. The new store is west of Interstate 65 and 15 miles northwest of Indianapolis.

Storage Express has opened five new storage locations in the past year. In May, it converted a former electronics store in Bloomington into a climate-controlled facility. The company plans to continue growing its portfolio in Indiana and other markets, according to a press release.

Founded in 1992, Storage Express owns and operates self-storage properties in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.

UK Storage Co. Ltd., which operates seven self-storage facilities in England, recently celebrated its 10^th anniversary and 10,000^th self-storage customer. Chris Huxtable, who began storing with the company in 2006 and is its longest-standing tenant, presented owners Keith and Cathy Taylor with a birthday cake made by UK Storage employee Nikki Bowditch. The Taylors opened the first UK Storage in 2005 in Bridgwater, which has remained its headquarters. The company now has 17 employees and opened two new facilities last year.

“It’s been a fun and eventful ride, and to have had 10,000 customers store with us across all our locations is a great achievement,” Keith Taylor told the source. "We’re very grateful they chose us, and we work hard to make sure they’re getting a great service. We’re looking to push on in the next 10 years, and we’re currently recruiting for six new positions to help us with that."

UK Storage has properties in Bristol, Chard, Gloucester, Plymouth, Redruth and Taunton. In addition to traditional storage, all of the facilities offer document storage. The Bridwater property also provides office space for rent.

By Jeanne Dotson

One of the biggest questions self-storage operators often ponder is how they can increase their online traffic and generate more rentals. It’s important to keep in mind that in this day and age, prospective customers are likely to research storage facilities (and other businesses) while they’re on the go. Many will even complete the rental process from their laptop, mobile phone or tablet, so it’s critical to take your facility website and online presence seriously.

Here’s some guidance on how to turn your online visitors into renters.

Online Options

Let’s start with how a website is found. One way is through organic search. This is when a potential renter goes to a search engine such as Bing, Google or Yahoo and types in a keyword phrase such as “Holly Hill storage unit.” It’s vital that your website is properly optimized so it will appear for relevant search terms in your area.

This is where search engine optimization (SEO) becomes an important part of your facility’s overall marketing strategy. SEO is critical for organic searches. Essentially, it’s a way to improve a website’s ranking and drive online traffic by associating specific key terms and phrases with your website and making sure it’s user-friendly.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that search engines started putting a much greater emphasis on local listings this year. Finding a person in your organization or an outside company to properly optimize your website for search engines as well as verify local listings can make a huge impact on the number of visitors your website attracts.

Another way for your website to be found is through pay-per-click (PPC) advertising on search engines as well as social media websites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. The sponsored ads are often highlighted or in prominent locations to help advertisers stand out from the rest. Plus, there are several ways to geo-target ads to ensure advertisers reach their target audience.

PPC campaigns can be set up on a variety of budgets. Remember your local market and number of competitors when determining your monthly budget for this type of effort.

First Impressions Matter

Once potential renters arrive at your website, what will they see? Can they easily determine your location and find unit pricing? Are they able to rent a unit from your website?

Always highlight your facility’s best features on your website. This should include high-quality photos of your property. According to research by Tony Haile, CEO of marketing firm Chartbeat, new visitors will stay on a website for less than 15 seconds if unsatisfied during an online visit. Make sure your website has a strong call to action, provides relevant information on unit availability and pricing, and highlights property amenities. You have a limited time to make a lasting impression on potential renters.

By making sure your website is easily found and optimized for organic rankings, local listings and PPC advertising, your overall presence in the local market will increase. Your online marketing efforts will enhance your traditional marketing efforts and generate the kind of increased traffic your storage facility needs to have a successful year.

Jeanne Dotson is a strategic online-marketing consultant for The Storage Group, which has a team of Internet-marketing professionals who specialize in online marketing, website design and website-management services. The company’s employees have more than 40 years of combined self-storage experience. For more information, visit www.storageinternetmarketing.com.

Ashford Construction & Development Co., a Dayton, Ohio-based developer of self-storage and other commercial properties, is seeking approval to build Wilmington Pike Storage Inns of America on a 4.6-acre vacant lot, also in Dayton. The property at 1414 Wilmington Pike was once the home to the WHIO-TV station and other businesses.

The land is currently owned by Cox Media Group, which operated its broadcasting station on it for more than 60 years. Cox relocated its stations in 2010 to South Main Street in Dayton to consolidate with the “Dayton Daily News.” The original building was demolished in 2012.

The self-storage facility would encompass 87,300 square feet of storage space in nine single-story buildings, according to the source. The largest structure, built along the frontage area of Wilmington Pike, would be comprised of 36,600 square feet and include an office. The remaining buildings will be between 2,200 and 8,100 square feet each. All of the structures will include some climate-controlled units.

Land Consultants assisted Ashford in creating the site plan, the source reported. The Lawrenceburg, Ind.-based firm provides engineering, land development, surveying and other services.

The triangular lot also has space for another 8,400-square-foot building, the source reported. Ashford will consider adding a 10^th building once the others are completed, according to Tony Kroeger, city planner.

The Dayton City Commission will consider the storage project in August, the source reported.

Ashford Construction develops office properties and self-storage facilities in Ohio.

Real estate developer Greg Spears received approval from the Fayetteville, N.C., City Council this week for a special-use permit that will allow him to convert three buildings into a self-storage facility. The council voted 10-0 in favor of the permit after Spears agreed to spend about $200,000 on building and property renovations. The indoor-storage facility will take over the former Stereo World and USA Tires sites on Bragg Boulevard, near the future Interstate 295 interchange known as the Fayetteville Outer Loop.

To grant the permit, city planners had previously requested that Spears fix the fencing, improve the landscaping, paint the buildings and redo the parking lot. Spears told officials the buildings on the site were structurally sound but would require improvements under the city’s Unified Development Ordinance. "It's a lot of expense, but I can see that it's necessary," he said. "I want to be up to code, since this is going to be on a major gateway."

The self-storage business will include a U-Haul rental dealership. "This is first class," Spears told the source. "It's going to be a definite upgrade."

City officials had previously expressed hope the new Outer Loop interchanges would attract hotels, restaurants and other businesses, according to the source.

The project will be Spears’ first self-storage development. He previously developed a Home Depot/Target center on Skibo Road in Fayetteville as well as several car washes across the Carolinas, the source reported.

General contractor Ferrara-Buist Cos. plans to construct a 72,000-square-foot self-storage facility in Lake Wylie, S.C. Lake Pointe Self Storage will be built on 10 acres at 4180 Charlotte Highway and offer traditional storage units along with more than 70 slots for boat storage to capitalize on the local marina market, according to the source. The project is scheduled to be complete in early 2016.

“With the marinas being full, hopefully we can serve that market,” said David Buist, a partner with Ferrara-Buist. The property is near the Lake Wylie Woods housing development and includes four smaller parcels along Charlotte Highway that will be reserved for retail or restaurant tenants, Buist told the source.

Plans submitted by commercial real estate firm The Tuttle Co. indicate the storage facility will have an office on the southern end of the property and self-storage units in the back-right corner, according to the source.

Longtime resident Libby McElduff told the source she isn’t surprised new development is coming to the area but is hopeful the project will include paving for Spurrier Court, a gravel road that borders one side of the site. “I knew it was going to come someday,” she said. “I just feel we were fortunate to have lived here 29 years before it happened.”

The developers likely won’t pave Spurrier, however, because access to the storage facility and outparcels will be from the main highway, Buist said.