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*** A new Downtown affordable housing project for Ninth Avenue and Broadway is being proposed by urban pioneer Bud Fischer. Conceived as a five-story, 267-living-unit project, it has won CCDC board endorsement. The developer proposes to construct a $40 million, 12-story, 398-unit mid-rise. It will include 271 living units, 91 one-bedroom and 36 two-bedroom apartments, with 2,000 square feet of retail/commercial space on the 25,000-square-foot southeast corner site he has owned for 18 years. “This property was zoned for a minimum 125-foot height with a 15-foot setback, but nobody had done anything (residential) on Broadway for so many years,” explains Fischer about the change in the project by Architects Richard Bundy & David Thompson. The city Redevelopment Agency will consider the project this month. Construction could begin as early as fall. ***
*** The City Council on Feb. 11 takes up McKinnon Properties’ request to convert from apartments to upscale hotel a full-block development proposed Downtown. The change of use was approved last month by the CCDC board on a 4-1-2 vote, with director Jennifer LeSar opposed and directors Victor Vilaplana and Julie Dillon abstaining. The revised proposal also includes space for Mike McKinnon’s KUSI television station, which will have its studio windows exposed to street level viewing. *** Look for Solana Beach-based Landmark National Bank to open its second branch, in La Jolla, next month. *** The deadline is nearing for companies to nominate outstanding women employees for the YWCA’s 24th annual Tribute To Woman And Industry awards. More information about the county’s longest running event honoring professional women and their employers is on Page 58. *** ACI Commercial was the leader last year in closing apartment property escrows, handling 150 deals worth more than $225 million, reports Chuck Hoffman, president of the Mission Valley-based firm. The position is nothing new. ACI Commercial has ranked as San Diego’s highest volume apartment brokerage for nearly two decades. *** Just as the state is facing a critical budget crisis, Hank Cunningham is stepping into a position that will directly involve him in statewide development policy. Cunningham, assistant executive director of the San Diego Redevelopment Agency, is joining the California Redevelopment Association board. Although Cunningham did not seek the appointment, he says, “San Diego is a national model for how to do redevelopment. We should build on that success.” *** Loathed in corporate boardrooms and loved by defrauded shareholders, or at least those who benefit from settlements just or otherwise, William S. Lerach has spent the last decade prosecuting big business. The Milberg Hynes & Lerach partner will discuss his efforts in a talk titled, “The Chickens Have Come Home to Roost: How the Big Accounting Firms and Corporate Interests Chloroformed Congress and Cost America’s Investors Trillions,” at UCSD’s Economic Roundtable from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Feb. 12 at the UCSD Faculty Club. For reservations, which cost $50, call (858) 822-0510. ***
*** In an effort to find a home for its concerts that “properly reflect the nature and substance of our musical offerings,” Seagate Concerts has moved its performances to the auditorium at the Neurosciences Institute atop Torrey Pines, just north of UCSD. The 352-seat auditorium is considered to be one of the most acoustically ideal small performance halls in the nation. Noted acoustician Cyril Harris, who oversaw the design of the new Seattle Symphony Hall, worked with New York City-based architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien on this project to ensure that the same sound is heard in every seat. For tickets, click on www.seagateconcerts.org. *** Through Feb. 28, area museums are celebrating with reduced admissions the fourth annual Museum Month. Culture Cards, available at all San Diego County Robinsons-May stores, grant up to four half-price admissions at all participating museums and historic sites. For more information, click on www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org. *** On Feb. 13, and for the 13th year, the Carlsbad Chamber is partnering with local businesses to present Shadow Day. Junior and senior high school students from Carlsbad High School, La Costa Canyon High School and the Army and Navy Academy will shadow area professionals in fields that are of interest to them. “The chamber has always understood that the best way to secure a prosperous future for Carlsbad is to support our future workforce through valuable educational programs,” says Fred Arbuckle, chamber chair. The event starts with a free breakfast at Callaway Golf. Businesses participating include Callaway, Cabrillo Power, the Gemological Institute of America, Legoland California, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station and Tri-City Medical Center. *** The NTC Foundation has named Liberty Station’s civic, arts and cultural center Promenade Centre. It includes 26 buildings that will be renovated to create a destination for San Diegans and visitors. “The name evokes images of when the actual NTC promenade, known as John Paul Jones Court from the 1920s to the 1990s, hosted parades, inspections and drills,” says Murray Galinson, the foundation’s chair. The center will open in 2005. *** The Ernest Green Diversity Council and the Public Policy Department of The Center will hold a book signing and reception for Rev. George W. Smith’s recently released memoir, “Conscience of the Community.” The native Alabaman arrived in San Diego in 1956. He was the first black man elected to office in San Diego, founder of the Catfish Club (a forum for San Diego’s black community and leaders) and a Presbyterian pastor for more than 40 years. The book signing is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at The Center, 3090 Centre St. For more information, call AJ Davis-DeFeo at (619) 692-2077, Ext. 212. ***
*** The University of Phoenix is offering criminal justice courses Downtown that focus on the latest techniques in fighting terrorism, bio-terrorism and strengthening airport security. For more information, call (888) 867-4636. *** Bill Vidano, executive v.p. of corporate administration at North Island Financial Credit Union, is celebrating his 30th anniversary with the company. Vidano has seen NIFCU grow from 25 employees and $17 million in assets to 345 employees and $1.2 billion in assets. Along the way he has managed a number of branches, served as executive assistant to long-time CEO Bill Thurman and then served as interim CEO for 18 months. *** For the fifth year, “Doing Business HER Way,” a women’s business conference, will be presented by the San Diego Chapter of Service Corps of Retired Executives and the Small Business Administration. The keynote speaker will be Dee Sanford, television host, consultant and trainer, on the topic “Finding Your Personal Best in Business.” For information, visit www.score-sandiego.org. For mo-re on Sanford, turn to Page 53. *** The San Diego Chapter of the American Corporate Counsel Association, the San Diego County Bar Foundation and the San Diego County Bar Association are co-sponsoring the second annual Black & White Ball at 6 p.m. March 1 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. Proceeds will go to Becky’s House, a YWCA-sponsored provider of shelter and services for victims of domestic violence. The event will feature a wine reception, dinner, raffle and silent auction, dancing to the music of the Heroes and a casino. It is open to the public. Tickets are $125 per person, and sponsorship tables are available. For information, call co-chair Teigue Thomas at (858) 848-3979. ***
*** Construction has started in City Heights on new offices for the Metro Career Center. Located at 39th Street and University Avenue, the four-story, 81,500-square-foot building has been designed for the Workforce Partnership’s Career Center program. Scheduled to open in March 2004, it will provide a centralized location for employment, training, education and support services. Also to be constructed at the site are 120 affordable housing units. The entire project is assisted by the San Diego Revitalization Corp. *** Since the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center opened its doors March 10, 1973, more than 17 million people have visited, 75 IMAX films have been shown, and more than 20 traveling exhibitions have been featured. Next month, the 30th anniversary of the center will be observed with an IMAX film festival, a retrospective exhibit on the center’s history, an interactive party and fund-raiser March 8 and birthday party March 10. For details, visit www.rhfleet.org or call (619) 238-1233. ***
*** Councilman Charles Lewis has been appointed to co-chair the City-County Reinvestment Task Force, which collects data provided by lenders and analyzes it to assess progress or determine opportunities to problem solve about perceived deficiencies or specific problems. *** The Pinnacle Museum Tower has opened sales to the public. The developer’s waiting list has pre-sold 120 of the 182 luxury condominiums to be built at Front and Market streets. Prices range from $350,000 for a one-bedroom condominium to $5.25 million for a two-level penthouse with an expansive roof deck replete with private lap pool and spa. Construction starts this month with the residential units completed at the end of 2004. *** The Port District has issued an RFP for the 14 waterfront acres now occupied by the old police headquarters and the Chesapeake Fish Co. restaurant. The two parcels must include a new four-acre public park as mitigation for the nearby second Hyatt Hotel tower, scheduled for completion in July. Carlsbad-based GMS Realty, which just acquired controlling partnership interest for an undisclosed price in the adjacent 14-acre Seaport Village, will submit a proposal. “We’ll propose some combination of restaurant, retail, entertainment and hospitality to complement Seaport Village,” says Bruce Walton, senior v.p. of GMS. The development company wants to prepare a master plan for the entire 28 acres, including some reworking of the fully occupied Seaport Village, whose port lease runs through 2018. “On a per square foot basis, it’s one of the highest grossing retail centers in San Diego County,” Walton adds. Proposals are due by March 28. ***
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As lawyers and politicians work not only to resurrect the failed transfer of 200,000 acre feet of water from Imperial Valley to San Diego, but to deal with harsh penalties imposed by the federal government, the nation’s largest attorney organization is coming to town for a national water confab. The American Bar Association’s 21st annual Water Law Conference runs Feb. 20-21 at the Loews Coronado. The theme is “Into the 21st Century: Water Rights, Water Supply, Water Quality.” The keynote address will be by Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton, who slapped California, and in particular the Imperial Irrigation District with severe cutbacks in Colorado River allocations for failing Dec. 31 to reach a transfer agreement that was acceptable to all parties. For information on attending the event, click on 
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