The Florida PACE Funding Agency is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Ley as an interim member of the Agency's Board of Directors. Mr. Ley will fill the position vacated by Ed Marquez. Mr. Ley served as Assistant County Manager in Clark County, Nevada and then County Administrator in Sarasota County, FL for more than 14 years.

The Kern County Board of Supervisors voted to make Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate available to Kern County residents and businesses.  The Program makes energy and water-saving renovations affordable for property owners by providing financing for 100% of the project and closing costs.  

Broward County Commissioners recently voted to make Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate – one of the leading property assessed clean energy (PACE) programs in the country – available to Broward County residents and businesses.  The CounterpointeSRE Program makes energy and wind mitigation renovations affordable for property owners by providing financing for 100% of the project and closing costs.  

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. ("Hannon Armstrong," or the "Company") (NYSE: HASI), a leading investor in the efficiency, wind and solar markets, is pleased to announce that CounterPointe Sustainable Real Estate LLC ("CSRE") and Hannon Armstrong will work jointly on Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) opportunities.  CSRE is the C-PACE focused affiliate of CounterPointe Energy Solutions LLC (CounterPointe) a PACE Program Administrator responsible for residential and commercial PACE programs in CA, FL and NJ.

The Anaheim City Council voted to make the Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate available to residents and businesses.  The Program makes energy and water-saving renovations affordable for property owners by providing financing for 100% of the project and closing costs.  

Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted today to implement the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program for residents in the county’s unincorporated area.  The program makes energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy and wind resistance improvements affordable for property owners by providing fixed-rate financing for 100% of the project and closing costs, repaid through an assessment on property tax bills.

The City of West Palm Beach has voted to approve the AllianceNRG Program^TM, which serves the residential market, and the CounterpointeSRE^TM  Program, which serves the commercial market, to provide Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for property owners in the city’s incorporated area. PACE financing makes energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy and wind resistance improvements affordable for property owners by providing fixed-rate financing for 100% of the project and closing costs, repaid through an assessment on property tax bills.

Selected by the City of San Francisco in 2015 as its  partner to offer PACE financing for the Soft Story Retrofit Program, Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate has gained expertise in financing seismic strengthening improvements through PACE. Creating a new dedicated Seismic Unit to offer financing throughout California, Oregon and other states,  CounterpointeSRE joins with your local government to help property owners navigate their seismic projects. 

Hernando County Board of County Commissioners voted to implement the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program for residents in the county’s unincorporated area. The program makes energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy and wind resistance improvements affordable for property owners by providing fixed-rate financing for 100% of the project and closing costs, repaid through an assessment on property tax bills.

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate, a leader in commercial real estate PACE financing, announced the launch of new nationwide financing program for the installation, service, and maintenance of Green Roofs and Living Roofs. This innovative new financing program will help property owners comply San Francisco’s new Living Roof Ordinance and is backed by property-tax assessments funding - known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing.

The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners voted to make the AllianceNRG  Program^TM and CounterpointeSRE^TM Program available throughout Palm Beach County.  This approval comes on the heels of recent approvals for the Programs in Hernando County, Levy County (for the unincorporated area) and the cities of West Palm Beach, Delray and Palm Beach Shores.  The Programs provide Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for property owners. 

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC), North America’s green roof and wall industry association, is pleased to announce Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate, a leader in commercial real estate PACE financing has just launched a new financing program for the design, installation, service and maintenance of green roofs across the United States.    

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate rolled out their new Green Roof Financing program to help property owners finance green roof installation and maintenance at Green Roofs for Healthy Cities sponsored CitiesAlive: 15th Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference. Not only does the program finance the upfront costs of the installation, it also can finance all related work such as stairs, elevators and roofing structural work in addition to other energy efficiency and conservation improvements to the property.

Managing Partner Eric Alini discusses PACE for Green Roofs in the winter issue of  Living Architecture Monitor. Read the article here. 

While Commercial PACE (C-PACE) is most widely known for its role in financing energy efficiency, C-PACE also provides low-cost, flexible capital to harden real estate against blackouts, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. To highlight the versatility of C-PACE. Michele Pitale of CounterpointeSRE, was recently featured in a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) webinar on the role of C-PACE in sustainability and resiliency.

Commercial PACE (C-PACE) financing is innovative low-cost way of funding 100% of energy efficiency and clean energy improvements for commercial real estate. This includes environmentally friendly and appealing upgrades such as green roofs. Green Roofs are an efficient way to provide storm water management, energy efficiency and other benefits to commercial real estate properties. In addition, Green Roofs advance public policy goals as a form of low impact development that helps reduce urban heat island effect, reduce pollution and many other benefits for communities.

On Tuesday, June 12, for the first time in 6 years, another state has approved a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program. It is only fitting that Pennsylvania has opted into C-PACE. Over 280 years ago, Benjamin Franklin and Philadelphia paved the way for the modern PACE program by being the first city to use a property tax assessment to fund a public service project – the Philadelphia fire department.

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate (CounterpointeSRE) announced today that it has completed the first Commercial PACE (C-PACE) financing in Ingham County to finance a gut rehabilitation of the Orla H. Bailey buildings, formerly Belen’s Flowers at 515 Ionia Street in Lansing, Michigan, just two blocks from the state Capitol building. The two-building complex is being converted into energy efficient office and retail space that will include widespread energy efficiency and renewable energy generation upgrades including an electric vehicle charging station, solar panels and CHP (combined heat and power) unit.

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate is now offering its Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing to commercial property owners throughout Monroe County. CounterpointeSRE offers commercial property owners long-term, low-cost financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy and wind resistance improvements.  The CounterpointeSRE Program is now available across 31 Florida counties, covering more than half the state’s population.

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate, the nation's leading provider of commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing, today announced  a series of webinars to help brokers, project developers and commercial real estate owners learn how C-PACE is being used to make commercial real estate more sustainable and resilient.

More and more cities and counties are choosing Counterpointe Energy Solutions Programs to offer PACE financing to their constituents. Since July 2018, there has been a rapid expansion in CounterpointeSRE’s market with 26 new jurisdictions joining the Program and many more expected to join during the fall. 

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Real Estate (HASRE) announces that it has closed a $10.5 million, 25 year, Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing for energy efficiency measures and seismic strengthening of a new Hyatt Centric Hotel in downtown Sacramento, California. Counterpointe Energy Solutions LLC acted as PACE Program Administrator for Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Real Estate's $10.5 million Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing for energy efficiency measures and seismic strengthening of a new Hyatt Centric Hotel in downtown Sacramento, California.

HASRE's Eric Alini talks about financial payoff for CRE in National Real Estate Investor in "What’s the Payback on Green Initiatives for Commercial Property Owners?"

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate is now offering its Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing to commercial property owners throughout unincorporated Miami-Dade County. CounterpointeSRE offers commercial property owners long-term, low cost financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy and wind resistance improvements.  The CounterpointeSRE Program is now available across 31 Florida counties, covering almost 60% of the state’s population.

Starting in early 2015 some of the very first PACE projects in all of Florida were financed in Marion County through CounterpointeSRE and the Florida PACE Funding Agency. And Marion County continues to lead the way today. Two recent Marion County projects to take advantage of C-PACE are the Ocala Hilton and the Paddock Mall.

Counterpointe's PACE financing for the Hyatt Centric project in Sacramento was featured in Hotel Business.

CounterpointeSRE's $10 million C-PACE Financing for the Hyatt Centric in Sacramento is featured in DBRS.

Urban Land Institute’s Trends Conference on January 30, 2019 highlighted the growth and positive trajectory of the Tampa region. Tampa Mayor, Bob Buckhorn welcomed the commercial real estate audience and lauded the city’s transformation from a region that previously “donated intellectual capital and talent to other regions” to one that is now supporting retention of talent and employment growth across industries. 

In a recent survey, members of the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP) Central Florida chapter were asked a variety of questions about C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing and its ability to address several challenges facing commercial real estate owners and developers.

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate announced today that it has closed a $12 million, 30-year, Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing through its Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Real Estate brand in support of the construction of the new Tommie Hotel, located between Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards in downtown Hollywood, California.

Chicago PACE makes it possible for owners and developers of commercial properties to obtain low-cost, 100% financing for 20+ years for sustainability, renewable energy and energy efficiency infrastructure deployed in new or existing buildings. There are many financial and operational benefits that Chicago PACE provides to building owners, especially compared to traditional debt financing.

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate (HASRE) announced that it has closed a $1.79 million, 15-year, Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing deal with LDI Management Company to support the renovation of a 237 key hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally built in 1963, the 13-story, 237 room hotel was purchased by LDI in 2016 and has operated as the Ramada Plaza. When upgrades are completed to the well-known hotel located next to the Sharonville Convention Center and attached to Splash Cincinnati, it will change brand flags and become the Delta Hotels Marriott Cincinnati per an agreement reached this year.

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate, a national leader in energy efficiency PACE financing, announced today a digital seminar designed to help more than 750 assisted living facilities and nursing homes in the state of Florida catch up with the mandate for backup generators. A deadline extension for the 2018 law, which followed Hurricane Irma, expired on January 1, 2019. The announcement comes at the onset of hurricane season and in the wake of recent reporting by the Naples Daily News and CBS Miami highlighting non-compliance with the mandatory generator rule.

CounterpointeSRE, a national leader in energy efficiency PACE financing, announced today an expedited financing process to allow owners access to long-term, low-cost capital. The announcement comes as deadlines loom in San Francisco for compliance with the city’s mandatory Soft-Story Retrofit Program. The expedited funding program, called “C-PACE 1,” saves time by reducing the documents required from property owners.

Recent elevator safety incidents in Chicago and elsewhere have building owners (and tenants) looking at their own elevators and wondering if it’s time for an upgrade. While events like these should bring property owner’s attention to the safety of their lifts, there are many reasons to modernize elevators that don’t make headlines including reduced maintenance costs, occupant satisfaction and energy efficiency. 

The public program, available in more than 20 states, removes capital constraints for resiliency and energy-saving measures by providing long-term non-recourse private financing through special tax assessments. PACE is an option for financing hotel property improvement plans, renovations and brand conversions, and to fulfill obligations under franchise agreements. PACE has many advantages for the hospitality industry over other sources of CapEx, new construction or bridge financing.

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate (CounterpointeSRE) announced today that it has closed a $3.7 million, 20-year, Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing in support of the renovation of the Victoria Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, located two miles south of Downtown Miami. The CounterpointeSRE financed improvements to the property consist of multiple energy-efficient upgrades to the building’s HVAC as well as a new standby emergency generator coupled to the new HVAC systems. The later effort complies with Florida’s state law mandating backup power sources in nursing homes and assisted living facilities signed into law in 2018 by Gov. Rick Scott.

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate, a national leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency PACE financing, announced today the closing of $507,000 in C-PACE financing for the development of a 102 KW solar array atop a mixed use industrial office in Commack, Long Island (NY).  The project, developed by Excelsior Development of Queens (NY), will improve the insulation of the building’s 22,500 square foot roof and puts in place 280 solar panels projected to yield annual savings of greater than $16,000 per year.  The project also qualified for a rebate of $15,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

CounterpointeSRE, announced today the closing of the first Chicago PACE program financing, which provided $21.25 million in private capital to an affiliate of The Prime Group, Inc. toward redevelopment of five vacant floors of the historic 208 S. LaSalle Street building into a new, 233-room luxury boutique hotel. The hotel will be operated as The Reserve Hotel and will be a member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The $21.25 million of PACE funding will support energy-efficient infrastructure investments at the new hotel including HVAC, windows, lighting, and elevator elements as well as water-conserving low-flow fixtures.

Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate (CounterpointeSRE), through the Maryland Commercial PACE program (MD-PACE), has closed $1.9 million, 20-year, Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing for energy efficiency and water conservation measures at the Microtel By Wyndham hotel development project in Gambrills, Maryland, by The Reliable Companies, a regional developer of commercial real estate.

Major movements in C-PACE market development occurred last year, as geographic areas opened in large East Coast and Midwest cities thanks to state enabling legislation and city-council adoption. In the fourth quarter of 2019, the first transaction in the Windy City closed, enhancing publicity for the alternative finance tool. CounterpointeSRE provided $21.25 million in C-PACE financing toward the capital stack, for redevelopment at the historic Continental and Commercial Bank Building, a Chicago Landmark.

With more than 2.9 million square feet of office space under development and nearly $700 million in recorded office building sales during the first half of 2019, Fairfax County’s hot office market now has an opportunity to reduce some heat from an environmental perspective.  The County announced today the launch of its Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, which provides for the private financing of energy-saving and sustainability improvements through special tax assessments.

CSRE continues their commitment to sustainable real estate finance during a time of economic disruption, funding a new construction development and three seismic soft-story retrofits for multifamily properties in Los Angeles to end the first quarter. 

The four PACE transactions were financed through the California Statewide Development Authority’s (CSCDA) Open PACE program. The largest of the transactions at $14.5 million is located at 2870 West Olympic Blvd in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles.  The funding for the seven-story, 126-unit multifamily development will be used to directly support energy-efficient infrastruture investments throughout the building, including building envelope, interior lighting (LEDs), HVAC, low flow fixtures and high-efficiency DHW. Beyond closing these multifamily deals, CSRE is actively exploring how the firm can help provide financing to help office and other commercial properties prevent COVID-19 transmission, as well as add to the more than $56 million in capital it has provided to the healthcare sector in the last 9 months.

Counterpointe’s team is currently working with healthcare providers, engineers and energy services professionals to considering how current legislation may be expanded to help healthcare and other commercial facilities respond to COVID-19 and future public health crises. We have received feedback from a wide range of our partners regarding potential legislative changes, specific technologies and facility improvements that can assist in the response to COVID-19 as well as future responses. CounterpointeSRE does not represent that any one of the below product suggestions represents a complete solution, rather we are sharing a summary of submissions for the sake of industry discussion and consideration.

The disruption of business caused by COVID-19 is significant. CSRE is fortunate to be able to continue our work supporting energy-efficiency, renewable energy, and resiliency projects in commercial buildings. We not only have capital, but we are actively deploying it for both new projects and retrofits. In fact, since March 23, when the S&P reached its recent low of 2300, the CounterpointeSRE team has closed 9 C-PACE transactions totaling $16.5 million.

Does PACE work with HUD financing? Yes. In fact, the potential for PACE financing to complement HUD Financing is a trending topic in the PACE industry covered by both the US Department of Energy's C-PACE working group and PACENation in recent virtual workshops.

CounterpointeSRE continues commitment to sustainable real estate finance during a time of economic disruption. The $5.5 million in PACE financing brings the firm's total funding in the multifamily sector to greater than $20 million since mid-March 2020.