ORLANDO-Betting on the rise of public-private partnerships and the stability of the public sector real estate market, NAI Realvest launched a new division to cater to the needs of local governments and the people who deal with them. The new commercial real estate division is called the Government Real Estate Services Group.

Paul Partyka, managing director at NAI Realvest, wooed Angel de la Portilla back to the firm to co-direct the new group. De la Portilla came to NAI Realvest from Marcus & Millichap three years ago, then set out to launch Central Florida Strategies, Inc., a government consulting firm.

“A few months ago Angel approached me to share an opportunity,” Partyka tells GlobeSt.com. “While he’s out there lobbying, he says he runs into people who need real estate locations or site work, as well as land owners who need help moving through the puzzle of government work. Our new services will meet a demand in the market.”

The Government Real Estate Services Group will represent private property owners on government-related issues like land use changes and development approvals, permitting, transportation and zoning. The division will also help local government agencies with real estate needs, such as property management.

Partyka has a background in government. He served as the mayor of Winter Springs in Seminole County and past president of the Oveido-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce. He’s also one of the top listing agents with NAI Realvest and is experienced with land use planning and zoning. As a government consultant, De la Portilla has developed strong relationships with cities across the state of Florida.

“We don’t have much competition in this arena, but there is a real need,” Partyka says. “With everything that’s going on the one area that still seems to be a constant is the government work. The real long-term play will be from the big land owners that need help getting through some of the government processes required to develop their land.”