RTG Sponsors "Buzz Does" Japan Disaster Relief
Realty Trust Group announced their support today for victims of the Japanese earthquake through their participation in "Buzz Does"—an innovative social network campaign to raise funds for the American Red Cross.
"Buzz Does" uses Twitter to allow followers to "tweet" donations designated for the American Red Cross Japanese relief effort. Bluegill Creative, a Knoxville communications and creative company, developed Buzz Does to show the power of social media for charitable causes.
"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to support those in Japan who have suffered so greatly from the earthquake and its aftermath," said Greg Gheen, president of RTG.
Buzz Does was introduced this week at Social Slam—a national social media conference held in Knoxville. Every Tweet from a conference participant to the hashtag #buzzdoes generates a donation to the Red Cross. Bluegill plans on using Buzz Does for other causes in the future.
Realty Trust Group Ranked As A Top-20 Healthcare Development Firm
That's according to Modern Healthcare magazine, which published its 2011 Construction & Design Survey in March. The annual survey reports total dollar volume of healthcare construction projects completed by the nation's top development firms.
RTG ranked 19th among all respondents, with completed projects totaling more than 105,000 square feet and nearly $24 million. Completed projects include new medical office buildings in three states – Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia. "Given the difficult economic environment, we are pleased with the opportunities that we continue to have." said RTG President Greg Gheen.
With an additional 200,000 square feet currently under construction and other projects in the development pipeline, RTG looks forward to another strong year for healthcare real estate in 2011.
Realty Trust Group to Rebuild Fire Damaged Lonsdale Park
October 12, 2010 - Owners and employees of the Knoxville-based healthcare real estate company Realty Trust Group will begin rebuilding the playground at Lonsdale Park this Friday.
Realty Trust Group has also paid the $23,000 replacement cost for the equipment damaged in the fire.
The playground was damaged in a deliberately-set blaze on July 4.
"We're very grateful to the folks at Realty Trust for giving their time and money to do something that will make a big difference to children who live in Lonsdale," said Joe Walsh, director of the City of Knoxville's Parks and Recreation Department. "It's a great example of a company partnering with the city to do something that improves a community and people's lives."
Greg Gheen, President of Reality Trust Group, contacted the city shortly after the fire and expressed an interest in the company and its employees doing a project to restore the playground. Walsh subsequently met with Gheen at the park with a breakdown of the repair, replacement and installation costs.
"He said 'We'd like to take it on,' " Walsh said.
Our company believes in service and community and this project allows us to accomplish both," Gheen said.
Jim Howlett, of Howlett Equipment Company, will provide technical guidance on the project. The playground equipment is from his company.
The city completed a major renovation of Lonsdale Park, including the playground, in 2007 as part of the efforts to revitalize the community.
That renovation, which involved the city's engineering and public service departments, included construction or renovation of two playgrounds, development of a paved loop trail, construction of a large pavilion and the relocation of a street so children at the neighboring Lonsdale Elementary would have a safe route to reach the park.
Realty Trust Group Ranked by Modern Healthcare Magazine
Realty Trust Group, a Knoxville real estate development and advisory firm, is ranked by Modern Healthcare magazine as one of the nation’s Top 25 healthcare development companies.
The ranking is based on dollar volume of completed construction projects, number of years in healthcare project management and development, and the percentage of total work involving healthcare facilities.
“This is a great accomplishment for a company that was founded slightly over a decade ago,” said RTG Executive Vice President Don Parnell. “We obviously are pleased because it is a tribute to our outstanding clients and team members.”
In addition to healthcare, Realty Trust Group manages construction projects for financial institutions, government and other private sector companies and public sector institutions.