Neal Professional Achievements

Pat Neal’s Professional Leadership: A Record of Achievement

As a successful Florida businessman, Pat knows it is critical to spend wisely and account for every dollar – whether it’s government funds, a public/private partnership or private sector endeavor. His scope of economic savvy, ability to forecast trends and respond to market demands and community interests has enabled him to secure timely approvals for infrastructure, development, and public works projects during the past 40 years that have helped Sarasota and Manatee counties become better places to live, work and play.

North County Partnership – Fostering Economic Growth

Dedicated to building relationships between the public and private sectors to facilitate infrastructure projects in a timely and cost-effective manner, the North County Partnership (NCP) represents the broad scope of Pat Neal’s commitment to engaging key business leaders in moving important projects forward for economic growth.

Formed more than three years ago, NCP is comprised of 22 members with business operations from Tampa to Naples, all having projects or businesses located in the Parrish area in northwest Manatee county.

The most current project, expansion of US Highway 301, an important commuter and transportation corridor serving the county, came to fruition at a considerable cost savings and unprecedented approval timeline due to the combined efforts of NCP members, led by Neal. NCP identified the need for the roadway expansion, found a funding source and helped the county work with engineering firm Wilson Miller. They also brokered an agreement with four area landowners that resulted in four parcels of land being donated free-of-charge to the project, including one valued at $980,000. In addition, the group has assisted in obtaining the necessary permits to protect an eagle and its nest located on one of the land parcels. The project is also well timed to stimulate the local economy with the creation of as many as 148 jobs.

Toledo Blade Road Project

Representing a public-private partnership between several area companies and government agencies, including Neal Communities, Benderson Development, APAC Southeast, Wilson Miller, the City of North Port and Charlotte County officials, this road-widening project was completed on time and came in $8 million below budget for a total cost of $16 million vs. the original $24 million estimate.

To allow this important project to move forward in a timely manner, Neal Communities and Benderson Development agreed to fund and manage the road construction under a reimbursement agreement with city officials, based on the premise that cooperation between public and private entities would result in the project being completed in less time and at a reduced cost to taxpayers.

Highlights of improvements made along the five-mile corridor include:

• Expanded Toledo Blade Blvd. from two to four lanes from Cranberry Blvd. to US 41
• Reduced traffic congestion
• Allowed for room to develop two important community landmarks along the roadway: a new 45,000 square foot Publix shopping center and a 75,000-square-foot medical park with emergency room that will be administered by Sarasota Memorial Hospital
• Improvements to six intersections along the corridor
• Expanded utilities and city water mains
• Rebuilt and resurfaced existing roadways
• Added two new bridges at the Snover and Coco Plum waterways as well as pedestrian bridges, sidewalks, landscaping, lighting and new gateway features

Connecting Manatee & Sarasota Counties: Honore Avenue Extension

The extension of Honore Avenue was built through a public-private partnership under a reimbursement agreement with Manatee county. The partnership, spearheaded by Pat Neal, Neal Communities and Frederick Derr and Associates, allowed for the Honore extension to be completed. The roadway runs 17 miles linking Sarasota and Manatee county neighborhoods connecting Palmer Ranch in the south and Desoto National Memorial in the northwest.

While initial estimates put the cost at approximately $12 million, the competitive bidding process reduced the price to $6.9 million. Due to cost and project efficiencies put in place by Neal and Derr, the project was completed for $6.6 million.

Working in partnership with County Commissioners Joe McClash and Donna Hayes, as well as Susan Sandhoff who was the Honore project management and finance director, the 16-month project was completed ahead of schedule and well under budget.

Highlights of the ¾ mile extension of Honore Avenue to Lockwood Ridge Road included:

• Substantial excavation
• Utility relocation
• Road building and paving
• Water line installation
• New fencing, streetlights and landscaping

As testimony to Pat Neal’s vision, home building etiquette and community service pursuits, he has been recognized and honored in the following areas:

Humanitarian

• John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award, 2006
• Community Leadership Award, 2008
• Ed H. Price Humanitarian Award, 2002
• Florida Education Association/United 1983 TIGER Award

Professional

• 174 Most Influential Floridians by Florida Trend magazine, 2004
• Professional Achievement Award, Professional Builder magazine, 1997
• Best Boss, Sarasota Biz941, 2007

Community Design

• Best Master Planned Community Design in America, National Association of Home Builders and Professional Builder magazine
• Hearthstone Builder Public Service Honor Roll, Builder magazine and Hearthstone Advisors

Developer & Builder

• Future of the Region Award for Best Community (University Park), Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council
• Five National “Best in American Living” Awards for Architectural Excellence
• Best Master Planned Community Award, Southeast Builders Conference, (University Park Country Club, The Harborage on Braden River and Forest Creek)
• 44 Southeast Builders Conference Aurora Awards for design excellence
• Hundreds of local Parade of Homes Awards
• Seven “Fame” Awards for Architectural Design Excellence
• Numerous Manatee county Chamber Beautification Awards