Don't miss our 4th of July celebration at Ortega Landing!  Live entertainment and food!  Call 904-387-5538 or email: info@ortegalanding.com for more information.

Ortega Landing's very own Harbormaster and Office Manager, Kris and Amy Schmid, were interviewed by the Florida Times Union.

View the article,"Marina at Ortega Landing operators are just a couple of boaters (though 1 does get seasick)," about the husband and wife team at http://jacksonville.com/community/the_sun/2009-05-02/story/marina_at_ortega_landing_operators_are_just_a_couple_of_boaters_t

If you go to MARINAS.com and give Ortega Landing a review, you could win a chance at a trip to the Bahamas!

MARINAS.com is celebrating their new feature "marina reviews." As part of the celebration marinas.com is offering a five night six day vacation for two to Treasure Cay Resort in the Abacos Bahamas.

Here's how to qualify to win:  Just come to MARINAS.com and go to marina locations that you have visited in the past 18 months. Write an honest review of the marina with details like your opinion of the facility, service, personnel, the destination in general ... any first hand impressions that will be valuable to other boaters who might be planning a trip to this facility.

MARINAS.com will draw a winner at random each week from all reviews placed that week.  These winners will receive a valuable coupon good for a free high resolution digital image of their choice from the 250,000+ images on MARINAS.com. 

After eight weeks, MARINAS.com will randomly choose a winner from the final eight.

Ortega Landing is gearing up for the Jacksonville Symphony Guild 2009 Designer Showhouse. The condominium construction is nearing the end; we are putting the finishing touches on the interior and focusing our efforts on the landscaping.

We are excited to see the designers’ creations and to open the doors to our new condominiums.

Two Ortega Landing condominium units will become show homes for the event. The Showhouse will run from May 16 through June 7, 2009. Twenty-one of the area’s most respected designers, including design students from the Art Institute of Jacksonville, will provide the finishing touches to the interior spaces of the two show homes, incorporating many environmentally friendly products to coincide with the “Green” theme. In addition to touring show homes, patrons will be able to view, at dockside, several stately custom Huckins Yachts.

During the event, Ortega Landing will be hosting free dockage for patrons visiting the Showhouse for the day. Dockage rates apply for overnight visits. Tickets for the Showhouse can be purchased in advance at Ortega Landing until May 1, 2009 for $15. After May 1, tickets can be purchased at the door for $20. Proceeds from Showhouse ticket sales will benefit the Jacksonville Symphony Guild in its support of the Jacksonville Symphony Association, as well as The Guild’s music education programs. Visit the official Showhouse website at
www.jaxsymphonyshowhouse.com.

Please enjoy this issue of the Ortega Landing newsletter and pay us a visit for the Showhouse or next time you are in Jacksonville. Keep checking www.ortegalanding.com for updates or call us at (904) 387-5538.

Ortega Landing is gearing up for the Jacksonville Symphony Guild 2009 Designer Showhouse. The condominium construction is nearing the end; we are putting the finishing touches on the interior and focusing our efforts on the landscaping.

We are excited to see the designers’ creations and to open the doors to our new condominiums.

Two Ortega Landing condominium units will become show homes for the event. The Showhouse will run from May 16 through June 7, 2009. Twenty-one of the area’s most respected designers, including design students from the Art Institute of Jacksonville, will provide the finishing touches to the interior spaces of the two show homes, incorporating many environmentally friendly products to coincide with the “Green” theme. In addition to touring show homes, patrons will be able to view, at dockside, several stately custom Huckins Yachts.

During the event, Ortega Landing will be hosting free dockage for patrons visiting the Showhouse for the day. Dockage rates apply for overnight visits. Tickets for the Showhouse can be purchased in advance at Ortega Landing until May 1, 2009 for $15. After May 1, tickets can be purchased at the door for $20. Proceeds from Showhouse ticket sales will benefit the Jacksonville Symphony Guild in its support of the Jacksonville Symphony Association, as well as The Guild’s music education programs. Visit the official Showhouse website at
www.jaxsymphonyshowhouse.com.

Please enjoy this issue of the Ortega Landing newsletter and pay us a visit for the Showhouse or next time you are in Jacksonville. Keep checking www.ortegalanding.com for updates or call us at (904) 387-5538.

The Marina at Ortega Landing will be donating complimentary daily dockage from May 16 through June 7 for those Jacksonville Symphony Guild Designer Showhouse patrons that would like to come by boat! We also have special “Symphony Showhouse” rates for those that would like to spend an evening or weekend. For more information or to reserve your slip, please give us a call at (904) 387-5538. Dockage is based on availability.

The Marina at Ortega Landing’s dock attendant, Bruce Fleming and his wife Loretta, were recently featured in The Resident Community News and The Water’s Edge Magazine in Jacksonville. Bruce has become a wonderful asset to The Ortega Landing team. Bruce is always a smiling face on the docks and willing to help in any way possible. We feel very fortunate to have him on board. 

Bruce and Loretta are long-time Jacksonville residents and took up sailing after Bruce’s retirement from the Navy in 1995. They have quite a story to tell from learning to sail, getting their own boat, a 45-foot Hardin Ketch named BuonGiorno, to heading on lengthy cruises every year with multiple port stops. 
 
Bruce and Loretta have been married almost 44 years, have 3 children and just this week added their 10th grandchild to their crew. They also have a fluffy crew member, Magnificat, who sails with them everywhere. We will greatly miss them when they head north for their yearly cruise up the east coast this May. We anticipate their return every year with fantastic stories of their cruising adventures.

Many area and regional boat owners are now calling The Marina at Ortega Landing their home port, through our lease with option to buy program. Since the first of year, we have 18 new boaters docked on C&D docks. Boaters are taking advantage of the best dockage value in the region while enjoying a resort-style facility. About 50% of the boats come from the greater East Coast (many from S. Florida to take advantage of the hurricane protection) and 50% from local marinas. The boater’s say that they are using their boats more, because the site is such a pleasure to visit. 

Ortega Landing has become the boat clubs’ preferred site for rendezvous; the Queens Harbour Yacht Club had a wonderful time here Valentine’s Day weekend. The Epping Forest powerboat club will be returning for the fifth time in March for a full weekend of boating fun. Both clubs are scheduling visits including a weekend in May to attend our Jacksonville Symphony Guild Designer Showhouse, May 16 through June 7. 

Captain Kristopher W. Schmid
Harbormaster, The Marina at Ortega Landing

The Dow Jones Industrial Average recently dropped to 6,594.44, it’s lowest level since April 1997. That means that someone who purchased stocks ten years ago, arguably has had a $0 return. Other investments aren’t doing much better. Ten-year Treasury Bills were recently paying as little as 2% and gold closed recently at $941.80 after hitting a high of $1,028.98 in February.

Many experts believe real estate in Florida has hit the bottom. All over the State, investors and second home purchasers are purchasing real estate at a frantic pace as the safest place for their money.

With pre-construction prices available and an outstanding selection of both condominiums and dock space, there may never be a better time to buy your “little slice of paradise.” For a peek at what very well may be your dream vacation or perfect retirement home, call us at (904) 387-5538
and protect your money at the same time!

Atkinson Realty Group, Inc.
An Affiliate of Christie’s Great Estates

The Ortega Landing Marina is inviting all Jacksonville Boaters to stop by our clubhouse for a BBQ after the Blessing of the Fleet on April 5th 2009.  Enjoy the pool and grab some food!  We will be monitoring channel 16 for anyone who would like help with docking.  We will have complimentary docking for the BBQ on our D Dock.  For more information on the BBQ call 904-387-5538.  For more information on The Blessing of the Fleet please go to www.makeascenedowntown.com

The Queen's Harbour Yacht Club held a Valentine's weekend cruise to Ortega Landing.  They had a Commodore's cocktail party on Friday night and all walked to Pastiche Restaurant for a wonderful Valentine's dinner.  The Ortega Landing crew had a "Love Boat" Cruise planned, however the weather didn't cooperate.  We unfortunately had to drive the short distance to downtown.  We all had a lovely dinner at Morton's Steakhouse.

The Guild of the Jacksonville Symphony Association announced that Ortega Landing will be the site of their 2009 Showhouse at a press conference.  The show will be held from May 16 to June 7, 2009.  The Showhouse will feature designs from over 20 designers from Jacksonville.  Come by and take a tour soon.

As I sit on the deck of the Ortega Landing clubhouse I can see the progress on the condominium construction. Right now the building is covered in scaffolding as the stucco exterior is being applied. By the time this newsletter goes to print the stucco should be completed and additional interior work and landscaping will continue.

Right now drywall is being hung on the first, second and third levels and the individual rooms are starting to take shape. As always the views from the master bedroom and living areas are amazing.

All of the construction work will culminate with the Jacksonville Symphony Guild Designer Showhouse event which begins on May 16 and runs through June 8, 2009. The chosen team of designers stops by almost weekly to formulate their plans for two of the condo units and the foyer. We are looking forward to the outcome.

Recently, MLG wrote a letter to the editor of the Resident Community News to support their “Spend Locally” campaign. MLG Development has injected more than five million dollars into the local economy through its marina and condominium construction projects. We are proud of the local artisans and service providers that are part of the Ortega Landing team and we look forward to celebrating with them when our final condominium building is completed.

Please enjoy this issue of the Ortega Landing newsletter and pay us a visit next time you are in Jacksonville. Keep checking www.ortegalanding.com for updates or call us at (904) 387-5538.

It’s true. At Ortega Landing, all that separates your new home from your boat is a dock. Our waterfront condominiums overlook the St. Johns River and the Marina at Ortega Landing, offering a rare opportunity to indulge in your dreams. This is the ultimate luxury living experience in a tranquil waterfront location, where coming home gives you the “weekend away” feeling every day of the year. It’s boating at your doorstep!

Your new lifestyle awaits as the first condominium building approaches completion, which is scheduled for April 2009. Color selections will
begin soon. Call us this week for your private appointment which includes a hard hat tour.

Atkinson Realty Group, Inc.
An Affiliate of Christie’s Great Estates

MLG Development is pleased to offer a 0% interest for five years financing option for those interested in a marina membership at the beautiful Marina at Ortega Landing. This offer is good on all boat slips on all docks.

Until March 1, 2009, MLG is offering the following special financing package:
 
    •    0% interest for five years*
    •    20% down
    •    Must close by March 1, 2009
(Minimum $500 monthly payments applicable to purchase price. Balance due on fifth anniversary).

Contact Kris Schmid, Harbormaster, at (904) 387-5538 or kschmid@ortegalanding.com to discuss the details. This is a limited time offer so act soon to take advantage of it.

Last fall we were pleased to offer you limited seasonal slip rentals for the 2008-2009 winter season. This time around, we are happy to offer absentee owners even better rates. This is a great opportunity for those of you that are on the docks for 10 days or less per month. Lease rates are now starting at $9.00 per foot (plus taxes and fees) with a further discount for long-term prepayment.

This program will allow you to stay on your boat on the weekend for a reduced lease rate. For 2009, we will continue our monthly docktail parties for our club members, cruise clubs and lease customers. Call now for Superbowl weekend package reservations.

If you are interested in leasing a slip on C & D docks on this program, please contact us at (904) 387-5538 or email info@ortegalanding.com
to discuss slip availability and additional amenities and features.

Captain Kristopher W. Schmid
Harbormaster, The Marina at Ortega Landing

Jacksonville is counting down to the 2009 New Year’s Eve Celebration.  We look forward every year to a spectacular fireworks display over the St. Johns River that lights up the night sky and rings in the New Year. 

Fireworks will be shot from one barge in front of The Jacksonville Landing and another barge in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Get there early by boat or land to get the best spot.  The fireworks can be viewed from the Northbank and Southbank.  Or you can stay at Ortega Landing and view the fireworks without ever leaving the dock. 

Thousands visited Jacksonville, FL this year on November 1, 2008 for the annual football match-up of Georgia vs. Florida. A great time was had by Bulldogs, Gators and everyone else as the celebration attracted more than 100,000 fans.  The final score was Florida 49 and Georgia 10.  Make plans for a visit to Jacksonville next year to see one of the top ten rivalries in college football!

The Jacksonville Light Parade on Thanksgiving weekend always delights visitors.   Boats of every shape and size are imaginatively adorned with lights and decorations.   Boaters and landlubbers of all ages are amazed every year by the area's largest lighted boat parade.