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ALACHUA – As many as 250-500 new jobs may become available in Alachua County if the former site for the company Medical Manager is leased by a new company.

The 16-acre property, still owned by Medical Manager’s developer, Mickey Singer, is available for lease, according to Michael Ryals of Bosshardt Realty.

“We hope to attract a business that will bring with it jobs, added revenues and some sort of business synergy to the community,” Ryals said.

[CW1] The 83,738 square-foot, five-building complex is located at 15151 NW 99th Street in Alachua. It is expected to lease at $83,738 per month.

Ryals is trying to attract the right company to this “gem in Alachua County,” as he describes it.

“It would be an ideal location for several different types of businesses. I could easily see it being used again by a technology company, like Medical Manager used it, a school or as a medical campus,” he said.

An improved economy is one reason the property is being put on the market to lease at this time.

“Now that the economy is recovering, it’s time to get active and get the property back into the pipeline,” he said.

The two-story buildings were constructed as Medical Manager grew from the years of 1993 to 2002. The smallest building in the complex was built first at 14,501 square feet. The largest building in the complex was built last at 21,044 square feet. The campus-like setting houses offices, large meeting rooms and features fully-networked computer wiring and a generator backup.

“Everything we built was top of the line,” said property owner Mickey Singer.

“Everyone says it is a gorgeous piece of property,” he said. The same architecture was used for all the buildings. “We wanted to build not only a beautiful work environment, but one that had optimal conditions for our employees.” The layout of the workspaces was carefully designed with employees in mind, Singer said.

“As our employees walked between the buildings, we wanted them to be able to experience the calming effects of the natural environment,” he said. “It is a unique setting for a business.” Everything in the building is modern, including the fiber optics.

Ryals agreed, noting how each building is interconnected by covered walkways through landscaped gardens with break areas and even ponds. Singer still maintains the property and landscaped gardens to the same standards as when Medical Manager occupied the buildings.

“It is truly a campus,” Singer sad.  

Two weeks ago, Ryals brought in a group of business-minded community members to tour the buildings and grounds.

“We went to them for ideas on where we should focus our attention in marketing the property,” he said. Among those who toured the facilities were Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper, Alachua City Manager Traci Caine and Alachua Assistant City Manager Adam Boukari, as well as representatives from Innovation Square, the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Gainesville Council for Economic Outreach and the University of Florida.

Ryals said they are looking at real estate representatives on a national level who may have additional contacts in the U.S. and abroad for input. He also plans to research a state database, which is currently in the early stages of development by Enterprise Florida. When the listing is complete, business owners interested in locating in Florida will have a website to access available properties within the state that meet their requirements.

Medical Manager’s software was developed by Singer in 1979. “It hit the market in 1981, when the economy was going strong,” Singer said. Medical Manager went public in 1997. The company was sold in 2009 to Sage Software, one of the largest software companies in Europe.

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alachuatoday.com

 [CW1]The # of sq. ft. & the monthly lease amount ARE correct. It’s $12/sq. ft. divided by 12 months.

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