ORLANDO-The broker/owner of locally based Don Asher & Associates, a real estate professional for 45 years, was cited for his ongoing work with realty organizations and his leadership roles with 25 civic, community and charitable organizations.

ORLANDO-Historic Creation Design Development Group, an affiliate of Cocoa, FL-based Royal Palm Homes, is undecided on an 18-story or 20-story, 185-unit or 288-unit structure for the three-acre site bounded by Pine and Church Streets and Eola Drive and Osceola Avenue.

ORLANDO-The triple-B rating from triple-B-plus comes as the New York-based bond-ranking agency worries the sale of the county's refunding revenue bonds could be affected by the civil lawsuit Lake has filed against Fairfield, NJ-based Covanta Energy Corp. to regain control of the 13-year-old, 100-acre incinerator complex near Okahumpka, FL.

MIAMI-For $3.987 million, Jupiter Miami Building Co., representing the buyer, received the 30-year-old, 60,054-sf bankrupt former celebrity lounge, along with several buildings, an estimated 10 condo units, marine leases and recreational facilities.

MIAMI-Total sales of $57.2 million at the 38-year-old, locally based company's 61 restaurants compared with $50.9 million in first quarter 2002. The company's first quarter 2003 ended July 21. Gross profit margins were 75.3% versus 73.8% a year ago.

ORLANDO-Joe McCullough, who ran Outback restaurants in South Florida and Ohio before moving to Orlando, is the general manager of the planned 300-seat, 9,000-sf Minneapolis-based chain's new unit opening Sept. 5 at the 1.6-million-sf Florida Mall.

ORLANDO-Buffalo, NY-based Benderson Development Co. Inc., headed by Nathan Benderson, is one of the major players in Manatee County, developing 800 acres for retail/residential and redeveloping the Sarasota Outlet Mall in Sarasota, FL.

ORLANDO-Experts differ on the potential effects of the big gamble national retailers are taking in placing expensive units at shopping centers only four miles apart in South Orlando.