Construction of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel was deemed a public work by the California labor commissioner.

Labor Commissioner Collects Over $8 Million in Wages for Public Works Job at Hilton Hotel in San Diego

California Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su has collected $8,072,273 in unpaid prevailing wages on behalf of 2,051 workers who built the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel from 2006 to 2008.  The workers, employed by prime contractor Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and 172 subcontractors during construction of the 1,190-room hotel, will receive the full prevailing wages they earned on the public works project.

Christine Baker, director of the Department of Industrial Relations, determined that the project was a public work as it was paid for out of public funds due to a $46.5 million rent credit provided by the San Diego Port District, which leased the land to the hotel owner.

The San Diego Superior Court issued a writ of mandate on Feb. 3, 2010, reversing the determination of the director and finding the project was not a public work. The California Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District, Division One reversed the trial court and affirmed the decision of Baker on July 26, 2011.

Hensel Phelps and the labor commissioner then negotiated the amount of wages due to the workers. All 2,051 workers will receive the full prevailing wages they earned on the project.  They performed every aspect of construction, from foundation drilling to concrete pouring to steel erection to landscaping, according to the labor commissioner. Hensel Phelps will pay a third party administrator to process payments to the workers. The prime contractor will also pay an additional $400,000 to the labor commissioner as reimbursement for investigative costs.

Mayor Appoints 2 ‘Neighborhood Champions’ to the Planning Commission

Theresa Quiroz

Theresa Quiroz, a community advocate from City Heights, and Anthony Wagner, a senior strategist with the Institute for Public Strategies, have been appointed to the San Diego Planning Commission by Mayor Bob Filner. The mayor called the two “long-time neighborhood champions.” The appointments were approved unanimously by the City Council.

Quiroz has championed for transit, affordability, and meeting the needs of the disabled in her community. She has previously served the city as a member of the Redistricting Commission and City Heights Area Planning Committee. Wagner is a third generation Allied Gardens resident and previous president of the Allied Gardens Community Council.

Anthony Wagner

“I want to thank Theresa and Anthony for their commitment to our community and believe they will provide a strong voice for our neighborhoods in this new role,” Filner said in a statement. “Their experience in community groups, knowledge of land use issues, and belief in healthy and vibrant neighborhoods will make them great additions to the Planning Commission.”

Qualcomm and Gill Electronics Reach Technology Development Agreement

Qualcomm and Gill Electronics Inc. have come to an agreement under which Gill Electronics will obtain the rights to develop, manufacture, and sell wireless power products for the automotive and furniture industries. The licensed wireless power technology drives the development of ultra-convenient devices; devices that allow for spatial freedom when wirelessly charging products, and allow users to charge multiple devices and device types simultaneously.

“Gill is an early mover in this market and has been working with the wireless power team at Qualcomm for several years,” said Steve Pavol, a Qualcomm vice president. “Gill’s expertise in the automotive and furniture industries will play a key role in advancing Qualcomm’s wireless power technology as the premier technology for wireless charging.”

Move of City Employees Expected to Save $6 Million

The City Council Monday unanimously approved a move of around 400 municipal employees from one Downtown office tower to another, which is expected to save between $5-7 million over the next five years, City News Service reports. The employees of the Public Utilities and Public Works Departments have been housed at 600 B St. for 22 years, but will move to 525 B St. in a couple of months. The city this year paid $2.62 per square foot per month at the 600 B St. location. Allen Jones, the city’s deputy chief of staff, told the council that the final offer for an extension was $1.85 per square foot per month. At the new site, the city will pay $1.25 per square foot per month, and utilize about 90,000 square feet, Jones said. City Real Estate Assets Director Jim Barwick said the offices will be “more efficient” and include more, and nicer, work space for individual employees.

ViaSat Expands Residential Services

Carlsbad’s ViaSat is extending their services to offer residential telephone service beginning today, June 17th. With the new service, Exced Voice, ViaSat is the first company to offer all-satellite double play bundle of phone and Internet service with unlimited local and long distance calling within the U.S. and Canada. They are also offering a triple bundle package with Internet, phone, and TV access.

San Diego County Schools Will See More Dollars Under New Funding System

California’s newly adopted budget includes a measure to rebuild the state’s formula for funding schools from scratch, KPBS reports. As a result, every San Diego County school district will see per-pupil state funding go up for the coming school year. It’ll be the first of eight years of phasing in a new state system for funding public schools. If all goes according to plan and the state’s economy continues to improve, by the 2020-21 school year, most districts will be funded at the levels they would have reached by that time under the previous formula without years of funding cuts due to the economic downturn.

To download a San Diego area district-by-district chart, visit

www.kpbs.org/news/2013/jun/17/schools-will-see-more-dollars-new-funding-system

La Jollan Appointed to California Natural Resources Agency

Amber Pairis, 38, of La Jolla, has been appointed assistant secretary for climate change at the California Natural Resources Agency by Gov. Brown. Pairis has been climate change adviser at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife since 2008. She was a science and research liaison at the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies from 2006 to 2008 and a conservation biology curriculum developer at the Antioch New England Institute from 2002 to 2004. Pairis was a land protection ecologist at the eastern regional office of the Nature Conservancy in 2002 and held multiple positions at Antioch New England University from 2000 to 2002. She held multiple positions at the Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research and the National Marine Fisheries Service from 1997 to 1999. The position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $87,216. Pairis is a Democrat.

Northrop Grumman Names New Vice President

Jeannie Hilger

Northrop Grumman Corp. has named Jeannie Hilger as vice president of the Network Communication Systems business for Northrop Grumman’s Information Systems sector. Hilger is responsible for programs including advanced military communications, airborne gateways, network architectures and support systems that enable network-centric operations for defense and homeland security customers worldwide. Hilger has served as acting leader of the Network Communication Systems business since November 2012, which she joined as director of enterprise engineering, operations and programs in April 2012. Hilger earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Capella University. She received the Northrop Grumman Project Technologist of the Year award and the Chairman’s Award for Innovation.

Domino’s Pizza Owner Receives International Award

Shane Casey

Shane Casey of Oceanside, co-owner of 76 Domino’s Pizza stores and owner of three Domino’s Pizza stores located in Oceanside and surrounding areas, was awarded the International Franchise Association Gold Franny Award for operational excellence. The award will be celebrated at an upcoming Domino’s Pizza awards ceremony in London next month. The Gold Franny Award is the highest honor bestowed on a Domino’s Pizza franchise owner. The awards are based on several factors including operational audit scores, community involvement, store safety and security and team member morale.

General Atomics Signs MoU with CAE

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has signed an agreement with CAE to explore working together to integrate CAE’s simulation systems with General Atomics’ remotely piloted aircraft. The two companies have teamed for the past two years on the Predator B and Predator C Avenger for Canada.

Military Career Fair Scheduled for Wednesday

In an effort to find positions in the apartment industry for military veterans, the National Apartment Association Education Institute will conduct a Military Career Fair on Wednesday at the San Diego Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no admission charge. The event is aimed at finding positions within the apartment industry for military veterans, transitioning military members, and military spouses. Job opportunities are located in San Diego and the Southern California region, as well as metro areas around the country. Prospective attendees can register online at www.apartmentcareers.com/careerfair-jobseeker, upload a resume and schedule an interview with a participating company.

Federal Contracts

Kindcare Medical

Kindcare Medical, Escondido, won a $56,184.23 federal contract from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Network 22 Logistics Office, Long Beach, for Winco medical recliners.

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Southwest employee Shelleyrae Niemi volunteers at the 2013 Spring Fling Gala; an orphan pet enjoys the view; Southwest employees cuddle an orphan pup in flight.

Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Humane Award

to Honor Southwest Airlines Team

Helen Woodward Animal Center executives Mike Arms and Renee Resko travel to Dallas, Texas today to present Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly and his employees with a 2013 Humane Award for assisting with the 2012 Hurrican Sandy rescue of 47 orphan pets. The story made national news as stranded orphaned dogs and cats were flown across the country to Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe on Nov. 17. The shelter pets had been waiting for forever homes when the storm hit and left their facilities uninhabitable.

Helen Woodward Animal Center hoped to take them in but lacked the resources to transport the orphan pets to the West Coast. John Reilly, president of Sea World San Diego, stepped in to coordinate a chartered plane donated by Southwest Airlines. BP donated nearly 5,000 gallons of fuel for the flight to San Diego.

“Helping these animals find their forever homes and making room for the many animals displaced by the Hurricane is something we were happy to do, but wouldn’t have been possible without the generous spirit of our employees and partners,” said Linda Rutherford, vp of communications for Southwest Airlines.

Since that time, local Southwest employees have remained devoted to the cause of finding homes for orphan pets, donating manpower and hours to multiple Helen Woodward Animal Center fundraisers such as the Puppy Love 5K Run/Walk and the annual Spring Fling Gala.

Southwest employee Shelleyrae Niemi volunteers at the 2013 Spring Fling Gala; an orphan pet enjoys the view; Southwest employees cuddle an orphan pup in flight.

The post Daily Business Report-June 18, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

Johnson & Johnson Acquiring Aragon Pharmaceuticals for $1 Billion

Richard Heyman, CEO of Aragon Pharmaceuticals

Aragon Pharmaceuticals Inc. of San Diego, a firm that develops drugs for hormone-driven cancers, is being acquired by Johnson & Johnson for $650 million in cash plus $350 million in milestone payments that would bring the total transaction to $1 billion. The acquisition includes Aragon’s androgen receptor antagonist program, including its most advanced compound, ARN-509, a second generation androgen receptor signaling inhibitor that is currently being evaluated in a Phase II trial in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Under the agreement, Aragon will spin off an independent corporation called Seragon Pharmaceuticals, which will be focused on Aragon’s Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader (SERD) platform. Seragon will be based in San Diego. Richard Heyman, CEO of Aragon, will become Seragon’s CEO. Johnson & Johnson, according to the agreement, will not have an ownership stake in Seragon nor retain any rights to its technology or product development pipeline.

Carlsbad’s Ocean Terrace Corporate Center Sold

Ocean Terrace Corporate Center

BBL Commercial Real Estate has acquired Ocean Terrace Corporate Center, a four-building, Class A office park in Carlsbad, from Regent Properties. The purchase price was not disclosed. It was the company’s third major San Diego County acquisition in the past six months. Ocean Terrace,  located at 5740-5770 Fleet St., was built in 2000 and sits on two hilltop parcels totaling 11.5 acres.

Currently 77 percent leased, Ocean Terrace is home to a variety of tenants including Jenny Craig Corporate Headquarters; Invensys Systems, Island Restaurants, BVK Direct Inc., and Farmers Insurance Exchange. The buyer and seller in the transaction were represented by Cassidy Turley San Diego.

Premiering: ‘The Resurgence of Manufacturing in the United States’

UCSD-TV will be premiering “The Resurgence of Manufacturing in the United States” tonight at 8 o’clock. The program is an enlightening discussion led by UC San Diego’s Peter Cowhey with Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs, Vizio CEO Willliam Wang, former Gateway CEO Ted Waitt and journalist James Fallows. They will address strategies centered on bringing manufacturing jobs to the United States while keeping their companies competitive globally. For a full schedule of future air dates, visit www.ucsd.tv/schedule.

HD Digital Video Camera Shootout

Canon digital camera and digital video camera

SD Media Pros, a group affiliated with Media Communications Association-International, will sponsor a camera “Shoot-Out” on June 26 featuring a live display of professional digital video cameras. The 6 p.m. event will be held at Pixel Productions, 6875 El Cajon Blvd., in San Diego. The sponsors said the event will give attendees the opportunity to view the image quality and technical features of a variety of different digital cameras. Cameras from Sony, Panasonic, Canon, JVC and RED will be featured, and experienced camera technicians will provide demonstrations. Admission is free to SD Media Pros members and $15 for nonmembers. Admission at the door is $20.

Ernst & Young Announce Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winners

Ernst & Young announced the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year 2013 award winners in San Diego, which recognizes outstanding high-growth entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success.  The winners:

Business Services category: Adconion Direct, San Diego – Kim Reed Perell, CEO.

Technology category: ecoATM, San Diego – Tom Tullie, CEO and chairman of the board.

Consumer Products & Services category: LifeProof, San Diego – Gary Rayner, former CEO.

Life Sciences category: Santarus Inc., San Diego – Gerald Proehl, president and CEO.

Medical Products & Services category: SkinMedica, Carlsbad – Mary Fisher, former CEO.

Family Business category: The Wheat Group Inc., San Diego – Kelly Grismer, president and Chad Grismer, CEO.

Four Things to Know About San Diego’s New Planning Director

In his campaign and since taking office, Mayor Bob Filner promised a City Hall focused on improving quality of life in San Diego’s neighborhoods.

On June 11, he hired the man whose job it’ll be to make that happen.

Bill Fulton, former mayor of Ventura, nationally recognized sustainable development expert and the author of the pre-eminent textbook on planning in California — is the new head of the city’s planning department. Filner’s calling it the Planning and Neighborhood Restoration department. Fulton’s hire will also allow Filner to make good on his promise to separate the city’s planning division from the Development Services Department, after they were consolidated by Mayor Jerry Sanders. Kelly Broughton, the leader of that department, has left and has been replaced on an interim basis by Tom Tomlinson, former facilities financing program manager.

Now, development services will focus on issuing permits and enforcing code violations. Planning will evaluate the merit of major development proposals and steer the city’s long-term growth.

Four things you need to know about the guy responsible for implementing large chunks of Filner’s vision for the city: www.voiceofsandiego.org/2013/06/11/four-things-to-know-about-san-diegos-new-planning-director

Federal Contracts

Tetra Tech E.M.

Tetra Tech E.M. Inc., San Diego, won a federal contract valued at up to $100 million from the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, San Diego, for environmental remediation services at NAVFAC Southwest and Atlantic area of responsibility.

Glory Supply Inc.

Glory Supply Inc., San Diego, won a $75,331.11 federal contract from the U.S. Army, Seaside, Calif., for kitchen wares.

Dion International Trucks

Dion International Trucks LLC, San Diego, won a $70,788.25 federal contract from the Defense Logistics Agency’s Defense Supply Center, Columbus, Ohio, for vehicular lock assemblies.

Eddy Pump Corp.

Eddy Pump Corp., El Cajon, won a $45,000 federal contract from the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command, Mechanicsburg, Pa., for the repair of centrifugal pumps.

The post Daily Business Report-June 17, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

Gov. Brown, Business Leaders Call for Action on Economic Development Plan

Brown rips the Enterprise Zone program

“California’s 30-year-old Enterprise Zone program is not enterprising, it’s wasteful. It’s inefficient and not giving taxpayers the biggest bang for their buck,” said Gov. Brown Thursday in calling for a revamping of the state’s economic development program. “There’s a better way and it will help encourage manufacturing in California,” said Brown, who joined business leaders and workers in a call for action.

The governor’s plan builds on the framework of existing, targeted programs by redirecting about $750 million annually from the current flawed Enterprise Zone program to three new economic development programs:

• Sales tax exemption: A statewide sales tax exemption on manufacturing equipment or research and development equipment purchases by firms engaged in manufacturing or biotechnology research and development. The proposal is estimated to provide sales tax exemptions worth over $400 million annually.

• Hiring credit: A hiring credit targeted to businesses located in areas with the highest unemployment rate and poverty. This credit will be available for the hiring of long-term unemployed workers, unemployed veterans and people receiving the federal earned income tax credit. The credit will only be allowed to taxpayers who have a net increase in jobs. The proposal is expected to provide approximately $100 million annually in hiring credits.

• Investment incentive: The California Competes Credit based on specified criteria including the number of jobs to be created or retained and a set job retention period. This component of the proposal is expected to provide between $100 million and $200 million per year in tax credits.

Studies on enterprise zones show that the current program, established nearly three decades ago, is ineffective, wasteful and expensive. Research from the Public Policy Institute of California indicates the program has no overall effect on job growth, while a recent California Budget Project report

showed the program has cost California $4.8 billion since its inception and has primarily benefited less than half of 1 percent of the state’s corporations.

The governor’s economic development proposal has support from a variety of businesses, including Northrop Grumman Corp.; IBM; Biocom; Bloom Energy; California Healthcare Institute; California Labor Federation; Genentech; Intel; Webcor Builders and the Wine Institute.

For an overview of the plan, visit: http://gov.ca.gov/docs/ED_Plan.pdf

Support in San Diego for Enterprise Zones

Supporters in San Diego have said enterprise zones have generated $1.7 billion and brought 20,000 jobs to the San Diego region. National City Mayor Ron Morrison says the enterprise zones brought Jenson’s Meats to National City. “They said our only opportunity is going to be to go to Colorado or Texas,” said Morrison. “We talked to them and said, wait a minute, here’s what can be done with the enterprise zone. They moved to Otay Mesa and are now employing an additional 100 employees. That’s 250 employees that we were going to lose from the state.”

“We’re trying to look at what tools are in our toolbox and the state has basically eliminated one tool after another,” Morrison complained. “Redevelopment, it took that away. We’re sitting in limbo right now because they eliminated it before they figured it out. Now, they want to do the same thing here. They haven’t sat down with anybody. We’re asking them, if there is problems, sit down with us.”

Supreme Court Gene Patenting Ruling Could Affect San Diego Biotech Industry

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday to invalidate patents on naturally occurring human genes. That’s good news for women wanting to get tested for their genetic risk of breast and ovarian cancer, KPBS reports. Utah-based company Myriad Genetics no longer owns the specific genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, these tests look for. Mutations on these genes strongly predict a woman’s likelihood of developing certain cancers. Just hours after the court’s unanimous decision came through, rival companies stepped in to offer the gene tests at a much lower cost. Academic researchers also cheered the decision. They can now study these genes without fear of attracting a cease-and-desist letter from Myriad.

But how will this decision affect San Diego’s biotech industry, the second largest life sciences cluster in the United States? Joe Panetta, president of San Diego trade group BIOCOM, says local biotech professionals weren’t fazed by the decision. “I think biotech in San Diego isn’t particularly surprised by the ruling,” Panetta said between panels at this week’s CALBIO conference. “I don’t think there was any expectation that it was going to be anything different and that there would be any significant negative impact as a result.”

For more on this, visit www.kpbs.org/news/2013/jun/13/ruling-gene-patents-good-and-bad-biotech-community

State Insurance Commissioner Wants to Bar Anthem from Small Business Exchange

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones wants to exclude Anthem Blue Cross from Covered California, the state’s small business exchange, because of what he calls a pattern of excessive rate hikes, KPBS reports. Anthem is imposing a 7.6 percent increase on small business customers on July 1. It’s the third rate hike in the last seven months. Within the last year, premiums have risen more than 17 percent. “It’s frustrating for me as the insurance commissioner, it’s frustrating for small businesses in California and it’s frustrating for individuals and families who are paying time and time again increases that are simply unsustainable,” the commissioner said. Anthem representatives defend the increases. They’ve said health care costs continue to escalate and that its rates are highly competitive. Operators of the exchange will make the final decision about whether Anthem will be included in the system.

Evergreen Pharmaceutical to Move into Sorrento Valley Business Park

Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California has signed an 86-month lease with Commonwealth REIT for 13,819 square feet of research and development space located  within the Sorrento Valley Business Park at 5601 Oberlin Drive, Suite 124, in San Diego. The total value of the lease is $1,468,554.  Evergreen Pharmaceutical plans to move into the new space in January 2014. Colliers International and Jones Lang LaSalle brokered the dea.

 Improvements to Neil Good Day Center Made With $13,549 Contribution from Todd Gloria

Neil Good Center after improvements

Installation of synthetic landscape grass and a cleanup of the entire outdoor space of the Neil Good Day Center for the homeless has been made possible by a contribution of $13,549 from San Diego City Council President Todd Gloria. “The Neil Good Day Center was in need of physical improvements to support its mission of providing a safe place for our homeless neighbors to spend the day off the streets, shower, do laundry, and obtain necessary services,” said Gloria.  “This center is a critical piece of our system to solve homelessness, and I’m proud of the contribution I was able to make through savings in my office budget.” The center, located on 17th Street east of Downtown, is operated by the Alpha Project. Gloria has also used his office budget for improvements at Fire Station 3 in Little Italy, the Starlight Bowl and the North Park Community Association’s Citizens Patrol.

The post Daily Business Report-June 14, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

The Housing Commission’s smoke-free policy will take effect on Feb. 1, 2014

Housing Commission Adopts Smoke-Free Policy at All of its Apartment Building

The San Diego Housing Commission has adopted a smoke-free policy for all of its apartment buildings, an action approved Tuesday by the San Diego City Council sitting as the city’s housing authority. The smoke-free policy will take effect on Feb. 1, 2014. The new policy prohibits smoking anywhere at SDHC-owned residential properties, which include more than 2,000 affordable housing units. Smoking is not allowed in individual apartments or within 25 feet of the buildings. The policy applies to residents, their guests, and SDHC employees or contractors working on-site. Before moving forward with the policy, SDHC surveyed tenants, and a majority who responded to the survey said they prefer a smoke-free living environment.

Sharp Hopes to Give Free Health Screenings to 5,000 People

Sharp doesn’t retain the information; just provides results

One of the keys to good health is knowing your numbers, as in blood pressure and cholesterol. Sharp HealthCare has launched an effort to give 5,000 San Diegans their numbers through free health screenings, KPBS reports. It’s the largest initiative of its kind in San Diego. Sharp HealthCare employees look for people who’d like to have a free health screening in public places, like at Grossmont Shopping Center in La Mesa. During the screenings, participants get the lowdown on five key health indicators, including cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. Sharp doesn’t retain any of the information; it simply performs the mini check-ups, provides the results and offers a little health advice. Read more www.kpbs.org/news/2013/jun/13/sharp-hopes-give-free-health-screenings-5000-peopl

Budget Panel Approves Land Transfer for Old Town State Historic Park

The Legislature’s Joint Budget Conference Committee approved transfer of a

Former Caltrans office site

former, now vacant, Caltrans office site in San Diego’s Old Town State Historic Park to the state parks system. Transferring the 2.4 acres will result in improvements and cultural preservation at the park and save California $80,000 a year it now spends in annual upkeep for the vacated building, according to state officials. “The Department of Transportation will save hefty maintenance costs that total $500,000 to date, and the park and people of California gain an opportunity to enhance and preserve a historic and cultural treasure,” said Sen. Marty Block (D-San Diego).
 Located on the southwest corner of Juan and Taylor streets, adjacent to the Old Town park, the Caltrans buildings sit atop historic structures and cultural resources that could be unearthed and made available to the public. “Retaining the site in public ownership has statewide significance because of its historic, archaeological and interpretive significance,” Block said.

Carlsbad Game Developer Acquired by SGN in Los Angeles

Carlsbad-based Mob Science, a game development company, has been acquired by games developer SGN in Los Angeles. The deal was structured as a cash and equity purchase. “Mob Science is a proven game development company with collectively over 75 years of experience in top-tier social game creation,” said Chris DeWolfe, CEO and founder of SGN. “Both SGN and Mob Science stand for quality, enabling us to continue our strategic growth and market expansion.” Mob Science’s team will stay in their Carlsbad offices. SGN said more acquisitions will be slated for announcement later this year.

“Joining the SGN team is an amazing new opportunity for everyone here at Mob Science,” said Michael Witz, founder and CEO of Mob Science. “We look forward to bringing our games to new platforms with their cross-deployment technology as well as working together to create exciting new games throughout 2013 and beyond.”

Budget Researchers Point to Brain’s ‘Dark Side’ as Key to Cocaine Addiction

Marisa Roberto was the principal investigator

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have found evidence that an emotion-related brain region called the central amygdala — whose activity promotes feelings of malaise and unhappiness — plays a major role in sustaining cocaine addiction. In experiments with rats, the TSRI researchers found signs that cocaine-induced changes in this brain system contribute to anxiety-like behavior and other unpleasant symptoms of drug withdrawal —symptoms that typically drive an addict to keep using. When the researchers blocked specific brain receptors called kappa opioid receptors in this key anxiety-mediating brain region, the rats’ signs of addiction abated. “These receptors appear to be a good target for therapy,” said Marisa Roberto, associate professor in TSRI’s addiction research group, the Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders. Roberto was the principal investigator for the study, which appears in the journal Biological Psychiatry.

Former Credit Union Building in Vista Sold for $1.525 Million

The freestanding pad in front of Living Spaces Furniture in the University Square project at 1960 University Drive in Vista had been sold for $1,525,000. The retail pad building with drive-through once housed the North Island Financial Credit Union and has a Nail Salon as the co-tenant. The building sits on a 42,370-square-foot parcel and is part of the greater University Square retail project that houses Target, Wal-Mart, Old Navy and other national retailers. The buyer was Valbeach Garfield LLC. with William Valaika as managing member. The buyer also owns other sections of the University Square Shopping Center. the company plans to re-tenant and redevelop the site. The seller of the property was North Island Financial Credit Union. Don Zech and Nick Zech of CDC Commercial Inc.  represented the seller and buyer.

Oceanside Hotel Sold for $3.4 Million

America Best Value Inn, a 61-room hospitality and golf property at 901 North Coast Highway in Oceanside, has been sold for $3.4 million to a limited liability company. The buyer’s name was not disclosed. The hotel is being converted to the new Motel 6 phoenix prototype, according to broker Marcus & Millichap.

Law Groups Sponsor Free Weekly Legal Workshops to San Diegans

The Earl B Gilliam Bar Association  and the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association will sponsor the annual Neighborhood Law School Program to provide free legal workshops taught by top San Diego attorneys. Workshops will be held each Monday from June 17 until Aug. 12 (with a break for July 4th weekend and Aug. 5). The courses are designed to give useful legal information on a variety of topics to the public, including employees, business owners, landlords, renters, or anyone who lives in San Diego. “This is an opportunity for regular San Diegans to learn and ask questions about legal issues in a relaxed workshop,” said co-organizer Omar Passons. All courses except Accidents & Injuries will be offered in Spanish and English. Classes will be he at the Jacobs Center for Innovation, 404 Euclid Ave., San Diego 92114.  To register, or for more information, visit www.facebook.com/ebgba.

Workshops include: Accidents & Injuries; Employers & Employees; Running a Business; Landlords & Tenants; Understanding Criminal Law; and Immigration Law.

Tourism Marketing District Director: San Diego Hotels Slow to Issue Legal Waivers

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner wants major hotels to commit money to the city in case lawsuits against the Tourism Marketing District prevail, but only 10 percent have done so, the agency’s executive director said Wednesday.

City News Service reports that the low commitment level could lessen the amount of money the district directs toward promoting San Diego as a tourist destination in the coming fiscal year, according to a presentation to the City Council’s Budget Committee. “Private ownership properties were coming in the quickest,” said TMD Executive Director Lorin Stewart. “The properties that are corporate, with national brands, have to go through a process.” Only 14 hotels have provided the commitment so far, he said.

Read more: www.sandiegonewsroom.com

New Sickle Cell Anemia Therapy Advances to Phase II Clical Trials

The La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology and two other medical centers are preparing to launch the second phase of a clinical trial to study a potential new therapy for reducing the severest symptoms of sickle cell anemia. The disease is a serious, painful and chronic illness that impedes blood flow and can lead to early death. The phase II trial, funded by a $10.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, is testing an already existing drug called Lexiscan, which is used for diagnosing heart disease. Researchers from the La Jolla institute, the Dana-Farber/Children’s Hospital Cancer Center in Boston and the BloodCenter of Wisconsin in Milwaukee are exploring whether the drug’s anti-inflammatory effects will significantly reduce the pain and blood flow disturbances of sickle cell anemia. A Phase I safety study was completed earlier this year.

Glo Beauty Bar Holds June 15 Grand Opening

The blowout bar trend sweeping the nation is coming to La Jolla with the June 15 grand opening of Glo Beauty Bar at 5707 La Jolla Blvd. in Bird Rock. This is the first West Coast location for owner Jessica Hanson, a long-time San Diego businesswoman who also operates the flagship  Glo Beauty Bar in Baton Rouge, La. The grand opening will feature free blow-outs and makeup applications plus prizes and giveaways from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Complimentary food and cocktails from chef Daniel Boling will be served from 4 to 6 p.m. Hanson said the Bird Rock salon will offer custom airbrush tanning, makeup application, waxing, facials, chemical peels and eyelash extensions. For more information, call (858) 551-8477 or visit  www.GloBeautyBar.com.

FEDERAL CONTRACTS

UC San Diego

University of California, San Diego, won a $229,839 federal contract from the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., for linear and non-linear infrasonic wave field synthesis to 1,000-kilometer range.

American Innotek Inc.

American Innotek Inc., Escondido, won a $149,100 federal contract from the Defense Logistics Agency’s Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, for disposable solid waste relief bags.

General Atomics

General Atomics Electronic Systems Inc., San Diego, won a $147,687 federal contract from the Defense Logistics Agency’s Defense Supply Center, Columbus, Ohio, for plastic dielectric fixed capacitors.

Best Tech Inc.

Best Tech Inc., San Diego, won a $147,600 federal contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Anniston, Ala., for Motorola radios.

The post Daily Business Report-June 13, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculpture titled ‘Coming Together’ is part of the Port District’s public art collection

Extensive Cuts Made to Port’s Public Art Program

The San Diego Unified Port District is looking at a roughly $4 million budget shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1. As a result, the board of commissioners has made extensive cuts to the Port’s public art program to help close the gap, KPBS reports.

At the end of a marathon board meeting Tuesday, Port commissioners voted to adopt a preliminary budget for the upcoming year. One commissioner called it “a bloody road” getting there. Perhaps no program suffered as much bloodletting as the public art program.

Its budget was cut in half to $600,000 and $1.5 million will be drawn from its reserve fund to be used for “general purposes.” The program’s staff will be folded into another department. No new public art pieces will be added and some pending contracts canceled.

Commissioner Bob Nelson expressed regret about the decision during the meeting, but cited fiscal responsibility.

“Art is my passion. I’ve been collecting art for over 40 years. So as much as it hurts me, I think it’s the right thing to do,” Nelson said. He addressed his comments to the handful of art supporters in the audience who spoke on the program’s behalf, asking the commissioners to reconsider.

The final vote left many of those supporters baffled, especially since the commissioners approved a new public art master plan just a few years ago.

Larry Baza, a local gallery owner. is on the Port’s public art committee. He’s dismayed and believes the vote signals a coming end to the Port’s public art program. “I think it’s the death knell and postponing the obvious. And I don’t understand why.”

Read more: www.kpbs.org/news/2013/jun/12/proposed-cuts-ports-public-art-program

Summer Energy Needs Can Be Met, Despite San Onofre Shutdown

San Diego Gas & Electric can meet its customers’ electricity needs this summer despite the absence of power from the permanently shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, although users may be asked to conserve energy, utility officials said Tuesday. City News Service reports that Southern California Edison’s parent company announced Friday that the plant’s two reactor units would be shut down for good. Both units at the plant near Camp Pendleton were taken out of service in January 2012, one for planned maintenance and the other after a small leak of radioactive steam, later attributed to premature wearing of steam pressure tubes, was discovered.

Michael R. Niggli, SDG&E’s president and chief operating officer, said the utility had been planing for a “no SONGS summer” for some time.

“Knowing that the plant was out last year, we were not anticipating it would be in service this year — although we were hopeful,” Niggli said. The San Diego area lost about 440 megawatts from the SONGS outage, but many energy sources had come and gone over the past decade, he said.

American Airlines Launches Daily Service Between Miami and San Diego

American Airlines today launches daily service between Miami International Airport and San Diego International Airport. With the addition of this route, American and American Eagle now serve San Diego from each of American’s five hubs, with a combined total of 24 daily flights. This service marks American’s 15th daily flight out of San Diego, where the airline offers nonstop service to Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami and New York.

American’s new service between Miami and San Diego will be operated with a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with larger overhead storage bins and updated inflight entertainment systems.

Former Credit Union Building in Vista Sold for $1.525 Million

The freestanding pad in front of Living Spaces Furniture in the University Square project at 1960 University Drive in Vista had been sold for $1,525,000. The retail pad building with drive-through once housed the North Island Financial Credit Union and has a Nail Salon as the co-tenant. The building sits on a 42,370-square-foot parcel and is part of the greater University Square retail project that houses Target, Wal-Mart, Old Navy and other national retailers. The buyer was Valbeach Garfield LLC. with William Valaika as managing member. The buyer also owns other sections of the University Square Shopping Center. the company plans to re-tenant and redevelop the site. The seller of the property was North Island Financial Credit Union. Don Zech and Nick Zech of CDC Commercial Inc.  represented the seller and buyer.

Brookwood Financial Partners Acquires Four Points Business Park

Brookwood Financial Partners LLC has acquired Four Points Business Park, an office property in San Diego. The 124,712-square-foot, three-building business park, which is 84 percent occupied, is at the intersection of Ruffin Road and Chesapeake Drive. The sales price was not disclosed. Thomas Brown, Brookwood’s director of acquisitions, said the company plans to make significant physical improvements to the property, including enhancing the common areas, restrooms, elevators, landscaping and signage.

The acquisition is Brookwood’s third in the San Diego area in the past 20 months. In October 2011 and August 2012, Brookwood acquired Mission Valley Crossroads and Bernardo Executive Center,  respectively. The seller was represented by Bob Prendergast and Lynn LaChapelle of Jones Lang LaSalle.

Hughes Marino Hires Controller

Heather Fox has joined Hughes Marino commercial real estate company as controller. Fix previously was a senior staff accountant at a public tax and accounting firm for 10 years. Her responsibilities included preparation of individual, corporate, nonprofit, and partnership tax returns, payroll processing, accounting, and operational tasks. Fox earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix.

NewSchool of Architecture and Design News

• NewSchool of Architecture and Design  invites members of the community to view the graduating students’ senior thesis projects during the annual Student Thesis Exposition on June 21 at the school campus from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. See the design ideas graduating NSAD students have come up with for San Diego’s Downtown areas and waterfront, the U.S-Mexico border, and for sustainability efforts in Saudi Arabia. The event is open to the public and free of charge. Students will be on site to discuss their projects. Location: 1249 F St. San Diego.

• Kurt Hunker, director of graduate programs and graduate architecture program chair, has been elected a member of the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows. Two members of NSAD’s architecture advisory board were also named 2013 AIA fellows: Jeff Gill and Michael Somin. The three will be inducted into the College of Fellows during this year’s AIA annual convention in Denver June 20–22.

Federal Contracts

LRAD Corp., San Diego, won a $12,231,380 federal contract from the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command, Crane, Ind., for small, medium and large acoustic hailing device, mounts, test teardown and evaluation.

The post Daily Business Report-June 12, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

Example of an Implantable Miniature Telescope is this one manufactured by VisionCare Opthalmic Technologies of Saratoga, Calif.

Kaiser Permanente Specialists Offer Implantable

Miniature Telescopes to Improve Vision

A team of specialists in Kaiser Permanente San Diego’s ophthamology department is the first of all Kaiser Permanente facilities to offer Implantable Miniature Telescopes (IMT) that are surgically placed in the eye during an outpatient visit to improve vision. Nationally, there are only 50 sites to provide the cutting-edge technology, and approximately only 200 IMTs have been implanted around the world since the pea-sized device became available in 2010. Under the direction of Dr. Peter Custis, chief of ophthalmology for KPSD, and Drs. Leslie Purcell and Tim Yee, who are the only two certified low-vision specialists at KPSD, the technology offers invaluable benefits for the right candidate. For example, it could allow a person to see their family member’s face at the dinner table again. However, not everyone with low-vision is a good fit for the procedure.

“The screening of endstage macular degeneration patients for the new implantable telescope requires a very specific battery of tests, and not every patient is a good candidate for this technology,” said Purcell. She added that an ideal candidate would be someone who is in stable health, mobile and motivated to do the pre-and post-training necessary to fully utilize the IMT. That training can take up to a year to complete.

Mayor Hires New Planning Director

Bill Fulton, former mayor of Ventura

In his campaign and since taking office, Mayor Bob Filner promised a City Hall focused on improving quality of life in San Diego’s neighborhoods. Today he hired the man whose job it’ll be to make that happen, reports Voice of San Diego. He is Bill Fulton, former mayor of Ventura, nationally recognized sustainable development expert and the author of the pre-eminent textbook on planning in California. Fulton is the new head of the city’s planning department. Filner’s calling it the Planning and Neighborhood Restoration department. Fulton’s hire will also allow Filner to make good on his promise to separate the city’s planning division from the Development Services Department, after they were consolidated by Mayor Jerry Sanders. Kelly Broughton, the leader of that department, left last week and has not been replaced. Now, development services will focus on issuing permits and enforcing code violations. Planning will evaluate the merit of major development proposals and steer the city’s long-term growth.

Majority of San Diego County Employers Don’t Expect to Increase Workforce

Employers in San Diego County are expected to hire at a solid pace during the third quarter of 2013, according to the Manpower Employment Outlet Survey. From July to September, 19 percent of companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 69 percent expect to maintain their current workforce levels. On the other end of the job spectrum, 8 percent of area companies expect to reduce staff and 4 percent are simply not certain of their hiring plans. All of this action yields a net employment outlook of 11 percent.

“Employers’ hiring expectations for the third quarter are the same compared to second quarter when the outlook was also 11 percent,” said Manpower San Diego President Phil Blair. “Compared to one year ago when the net employment outlook was 13 percent, employers are slightly less optimistic about their staffing plans.”

On the state level, 21 percent of California companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 70 percebt expect to maintain levels and only 6 percent plan to reduce staff.

San Diego’s City Budget Passed; City Attorney Funding Maintained

The City Council Monday passed a $2.75 billion budget for the city of San Diego for the 2013-14 fiscal year and rejected a cut proposed for the City Attorney’s Office, City News Service reports. The vote on the overall budget was 7-2, with Councilmen Kevin Faulconer and Scott Sherman opposed. Among the additions to the spending plan submitted by Mayor Bob Filner in April are a bonus fund meant to retain police officers — who have been leaving the San Diego Police Department to nearby agencies in large numbers, an increase in operating hours for libraries and improvements to the visitors center at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Once the overall budget was passed, the council members took up a proposed $1.4 million cut to the office of City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, Filner’s top political rival in municipal government. Goldsmith said he needed $500,000 to avoid layoffs in the city’s Neighborhood Prosecution Unit, which handles minor offenses without clogging up the court system.

On a 5-4 vote, the council passed an amendment to provide the funding for the City Attorney’s Office. Council members David Alvarez, Myrtle Cole, Marti Emerald and Sherri Lightner dissented.

City Council Unanimously Approves 5-Year Contracts With Unions

The City Council gave final approval Monday to five-year labor agreements with the six unions that represent city of San Diego employees, City News Service reports. The deals are expected to generate nearly $110 million for the city’s general fund, which pays for basic services like public safety and libraries, over the life of the contracts, as well as gradually restore most of a 6 percent pay cut faced by workers since 2009 and implement terms of a pension reform initiative passed by voters last year. Tim Davis, a consultant on the city’s negotiating team, called the deals a “historic achievement.” The contracts were approved by most of the labor organizations last week.  Councilman Kevin Faulconer said negotiations in the final weeks were “very intense” but produced deals the city could afford. Council President Todd Gloria acknowledged that employees weren’t going to get rich off the contracts, but can now take part in the city’s fiscal improvement after having shared the “down side.” The city expects the general fund to save $19.5 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1, incrementally increasing to $23.4 million in savings by the end of the five-year period.

Rose Wine Pub in South Park Named Small Business of the Year in the 78th Assembly District

Susan Prise and Toni Atkins

The Rose Wine Pub in South Park has been honored by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins as the Small Business of the Year for the 78th Assembly District. The recognition was celebrated at a special luncheon and ceremony in Sacramento, attended by the pub’s owner, Susan Prise, and Atkins. “Rose Wine Pub is place to gather and relax with neighbors and friends in a pleasant, warm atmosphere of good food and drink,” says Atkins.  “This local establishment captures the essence of the surrounding area and exemplifies why San Diego is known as a cosmopolitan city of neighborhoods.” The Rose Wine Pub is named for the historic location it occupies, the restored 1927 Rose Grocery building, and in honor of the owner’s grandmother, Rose Miranda. The wine storage was constructed by a local craftsman and made from the reclaimed redwood of a historic South Park home. The wine selection features many small productions vineyards all over the world, offering customers the opportunity to taste options they may not find elsewhere.

Home Sales Rise in San Diego County

San Diego home sales were strong in May and median prices continued to rise steadily, according to the latest housing statistics from the Greater San Diego Association of Realtors. Detached home sales increased 15 percent in May compared to April, and about 10 percent from last year. Properties also continued to be scooped up fast, with an average of only 54 days on the market.

The median price of detached homes increased to $466,000 in May. That’s up 4 percent from the previous month, and 22 percent from May of 2012. The median price of attached properties was up nearly 6 percent from April, and 33 percent from a year ago. Condos and townhomes surpassed the $300,000 median price, which, according to SDAR’s statistics, hasn’t been topped since March 2008.

“The market trends we’re seeing in San Diego, fueled by high demand and tight inventory, are surfacing elsewhere in California and across the country,” said Linda Lee, SDAR’sbBoard president.

The strengthening of the market is apparent across San Diego County, particularly in Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Escondido and Rancho Bernardo.

Sonic Drive-In to Build Restaurant in Kearny Mesa

Sonic Drive-In’s owner has signed a 20-year lease for 36,590 square feet of space at 5247 Kearny Villa Road in Kearny Mesa for operation of the fast-foot restaurant. It will be Sonic Drive-In’s fifth restaurant in San Diego County. Construction will be on the site of a former Black Angus restaurant.

The lease was handled by CBRE San Diego and Coldwell Banker. Westbrook Ventures 1 LLC is the lessor.

Danielle Royal Joins Union Bank’s Retail Consumer Lending Team

Danielle Royal

Danielle Royal has joined Union Bank’s retail consumer lending team as a mortgage consultant in San Diego. Royal is responsible for assisting clients with their home mortgage needs in the greater San Diego area, with a focus on East County. Royal has 15 years of lending experience. Before joining Union Bank, she served as divisional manager at American Mortgage Network. Prior to that, Royal was regional manager at 360 Mortgage Group.  Previously, she served as divisional manager at Wachovia Mortgage/Wells Fargo. Royal earned a bachelor’s degree in finance at San Diego State University.

Jones Lang LaSalle Hires New Executives

Chris Ross

Paul Braun

Jones Lang LaSalle has hired Paul Braun as managing director and Chris Ross as vice president to head the firm’s health care brokerage team in San Diego. Both Braun and Ross have a history of advising some of the biggest names in health care, both nationally and locally, on medical office and health care real estate leasing, investment sales, owner-user sales and occupier services. Notable clients, past and present, for Braun and Ross include Scripps Health, Sharp HealthCare, Rady Children’s Physician Management Services, Palomar Health, Kilroy Realty, Finest City Realty, Newport National Corporation, Surgical Care Affiliates, Imaging Healthcare Specialists and Graybill Medical Group.

National Funding Appoints Bob Sweeney Chief Financial Officer

Small business financial services company National Funding, announced today its appointment of Bob Sweeney as chief financial officer. Sweeney has served in the financial services industry for 27 years.  As a member of the executive team, he plays a key role in the company’s economic forecasting in order to ensure National Funding’s financial foundation. He has served as CFO, controller and global analyst positions for large and small companies, both public and private. Some of the companies Sweeney has held financial positions with are Citicorp Equipment Finance, Sequa Capital Corp., Rockford Industries/ American Express Business Finance to name a few. Sweeney received his B.B.A. in accounting and M.B.A. in management information systems from Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y.

Federal Contracts

Epsilon Systems Solutions

Epsilon Systems Solutions Inc., San Diego, was awarded a $6,937,467 federal contract by the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, for professional and engineering support services for the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center. Places of performance will be in Apra Harbor, Guam; Bremerton, Wash.; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; San Diego; Sasebo, Japan; and Yokosuka, Japan.

Sygnos Inc.

Sygnos Inc., San Diego, won a $4.78 million federal contract from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Network 22 Logistics Office, Long Beach, Calif., for the conversion of T-1 area to long-term care unit.

The post Daily Business Report-June appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

Joe Fernandez and Ramon Castillo of CMF Global

Chula Vista Company Named

Small Business Exporter of the Year

The San Diego District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration selected CMF Global Inc. of Chula Vista as the 2013 Small Business Exporter of the Year. CMF Global will be honored at Wednesday’s Small Business Awards luncheon at the Scottish Rite Event Center in Mission Valley.

CMF Global  is a supplier of pipe, valves, fittings and wire used for water transmission and distribution, approved fire suppression systems, sewer systems, oil and gas applications, industrial and mining applications, drainage and irrigation systems. Since its inception in 2002, the company has promoted the export of U.S. products made by more than 30 manufacturers. They sell products in 38 countries around the world.

Ramon Castillo and Joseph Fernandez own and operate the company. Their success, they say, has been due to their ability to consolidate many items into a single order; simplify the procurement process and assist customers in obtaining financing for large purchases of U.S. manufactured products.

CFM Global also received the 2012 Exporter of the Year Award at the International Business Leadership Ceremony held at the World Trade Center in San Diego.

A pre-luncheon conference will feature a variety of free workshops on small business financing, credit repair  and government contracting, as well as providing an opportunity for small businesses interested  in government contracting to meet the buyers. Register at www.sandiegosmallbiz.com. Luncheon seats are available for $50 each or $350 for a table of eight. For information, contact the North San Diego Small Business Development Center at (760) 795-8740.

The mid-city rapid bus line will utilize special bus lanes in the median along Park Boulevard to help speed up travel from Downtown to San Diego State University.

Construction on Mid-City Rapid Bus Line Begins This Month

SANDAG is set to begin construction this month on the mid-city rapid bus project. The bus line, funded by the region’s TransNet sales tax, will speed up transit from San Diego State University to downtown via El Cajon and Park boulevards. The new route will have fewer stops, synchronized lights and, in some spots, separate bus lanes in the median. SANDAG officials say it should feel like using the trolley, just without the tracks. “It’s a new type of bus line that we really haven’t done in San Diego yet,” said SANDAG director of mobility Jim Linthicum. “It’ s going to be a bus that has a lot of design elements and features that resemble what the trolley has.” Bus stops along the route — many currently consist of signs with schedules — will get makeovers, adding shelters, seats, landscaping and more gathering space. They’ll be some of San Diego’s first stops to offer digital, real-time tracking of buses.

There’s broad support for the project in City Heights, where residents have been vocal about needing more transit. Many students in the neighborhood rely on the bus to get to City College and SDSU. It will also intersect Centerline, a long-awaited bus line that will connect residents to job centers along Interstate 15.

But Beth Jaworski, the vice chair of  Uptown Planners, the advisory board that oversees land use decisions from Mission Hills to University Heights, said there’s still opposition in Hillcrest. “Most of the seniors living in this area don’t have cars and you’d think that, well, rapid bus would be a boon for them,” Jaworski said. “But they’re some of the most vocal opponents to it.” Residents in three senior facilities on Park Boulevard said they’re worried about safety. Instead of boarding the bus at stops just outside their front doors, they’ll have to cross busy lanes of traffic to board in the median. SANDAG will hold informational meetings at 5:30 tonight at Grace Lutheran Church and 5:30 p.m. Thursday at 3727 El Cajon Blvd.

San Diego Police Ratify Labor Deal With City

San Diego police officers ratified a five-year labor deal with the city of San Diego, becoming the second major union to agree to the pact, the San Diego Police Officers Association announced Friday. Officers have been leaving the department for nearby agencies in large numbers in recent years, with SDPD leaders telling council members recently that the departed have increased their take-home pay by $1,000 to $1,500 per month. The deal calls for POA members to receive a 2 percent pay increase in the fiscal year that begins July 1, a 1 percent hike the following year, and 2 percent uptick the year after that. Officers will receive 1 percent raises in each of the last two years of the contract. (Reported by City News Service)

ScaleMatrix Partners With Dell

San Diego’s ScaleMatrix, a leader in the growing world of cloud computing and the data center market, has been chosen as one of three companies to work with Dell and deliver their cloud services. ScaleMatrix will contribute to Dell’s services with its VMware-based TruCore Performance Cloud hosting platform. The company said this provides users with enhanced control over functionality and performance.

What’s the Cost of Power After San Onofre?

How much will it cost to power your home now that San Onofre is offline for good? Short answer: possibly more, reports KPBS. The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station shut down in January of 2012 prompted a rise in wholesale power prices that has persisted through 2013, according to a study released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration in March. Now, as Southern California Edison prepares to shut down the power plant on the San Clemente coast, it’s unclear what will happen to individual power prices. According to the EIA study, the wholesale price per megawatthour — the amount of electricity used to power about 330 homes in a single hour — jumped to more than $50 from about $30. The study notes that “Southern California power prices have persistently exceeded Northern California prices.” It also notes that “Southern California needs to use local generation sources and cannot solely rely on imported electricity to replace generation from SONGS.” Alternatives to SONGS, according to the study, are more expensive and will likely contribute to higher prices in the future. Check out the entire report here.

www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=10531

Mercado del Barrio

Spurlock Poirier Landscape Architects Receives Awards for the Mercado del Barrio Residential/Commercial Development

Spurlock Poirier Landscape Architects of San Diego has been honored by the San Diego Architectural Foundation and the San Diego section of the American Planning Association for its work on Mercado del Barrio, a residential and commercial development spanning 6.6 acres in the heart of San Diego’s Barrio Logan.

Spurlock Poirier was recognized with an “Outstanding Planning Project” award from SDAPA. The Mercado received the 2013 Community Vision Award from the San Diego Architectural Foundation. The award recognizes outstanding urban infill projects, encourages community collaboration and promotes the implementation of sustainable, “smart growth” practices in revitalizing urban areas.

“Mercado del Barrio is reminiscent of my hometown in San Luis Potosi, Mexico,” said Associate Principal Rocio Gertler. “The project is highly adaptable and fits well into the surrounding community.”

Spurlock Poirier, working with Safdie Rabines Architects, conceived of Mercado del Barrio to honor the neighborhood’s rich cultural history, promote the arts and encourage local business. Designed as a neighborhood hub, the mixed-use, transit-oriented development connects Chicano Park to the San Diego Bay and incorporates a large plaza, affordable housing, commercial space, a community center, a Latin grocer, and a multitude of retail options and open spaces. Mercado del Barrio also features an interactive water feature and splash pad, as well as a performance stage and seating. The LEED-certified project includes sustainable measures, such as porous pavers, a bioswale for stormwater collection and treatment, drought tolerant planting and over 100 new shade trees to reduce urban heat island effect.

The post Daily Business Report-June 10, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

 San Onofre Nuclear Plant to be Shut Down

Southern California Edison announced today that the troubled San Onofre nuclear power plant will be shut down because of uncertainty about its future. Anti-nuclear activists planned to rally outside the plant at 11 a.m. in celebration of the plant’s closing. The closing comes after a 16-month battle over whether the twin reactors could be safely returned to service. The plant “has served this region for over 40 years,” Ted Craver, chairman of SCE parent Edison International said in a statement. “But we have concluded that the continuing uncertainty about when or if (the plant) might return to service was not good for our customers, our investors, or the need to plan for our region’s long-term electricity needs.”

Business Leaders and Politicians Endorse San Diego Enterprise Zones

A group of business leaders and politicians gathered Thursday in Chula Vista in support of state enterprise zones, designated business areas that offer tax breaks and other incentives to employers in an effort to stimulate job growth. KPBS reports that supporters in San Diego have said enterprise zones have generated $1.7 billion and brought 20,000 jobs to the San Diego region. The zones are in danger of being replaced by a new system of economic stimulus supported by Gov. Jerry Brown.

A 2009 Public Policy Institute of California study compared data from businesses inside and outside of enterprise zones and found the zones were ineffective in creating jobs in most cases. Opponents of enterprise zones hold that the program is not an appropriate use of taxpayer money.

One of the criticisms of enterprise zones is that any business within the zone can get a tax credit. That means card rooms, fast-food chains and giant corporations are eligible. Last week, an investigative report by Sacramento NBC station KCRA reported on strip clubs within enterprise zones that received tax credits. The investigation also found a lack of transparency by the state in making information about companies participating in the program public.

The San Diego Enterprise Zone is one of California’s largest and most unique Enterprise Zones. Established in October 2006, the San Diego Enterprise Zone includes business communities throughout the region including; Downtown, North and South Park, University and City Heights, Barrio Logan, National City, Chula Vista, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa and others. As of Sept. 4, 2012, the state officially approved San Diego’s application to expand the zone North of I-8  into business communities such as; Rancho Bernardo, Mira Mesa, Kearny Mesa, Mission Gorge, Linda Vista, Bay Park, and North Bay.

Read more on this topic: www.hughesmarino.com/articles/capitol-update-enterprise-zones

Governor Aims to Open Tax Perks to All Businesses

Businesses across California could have access to state tax creditssimilar to those previously limited to economically challenged areas under a plan by Gov. Jerry Brown, the U-T San Diego reports. If approved by the Legislature, the proposal would also allow the state to begin offering tax breaks to companies to get them to move or expand in California. The state wouldn’t go to the extreme of writing checks to businesses – like Texas does – but by the beginning of next year it would have tools to sweeten its incentives. The governor unveiled the plan in May as part of his 2014 budget revise.

Read more: www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jun/07/tp-brown-aims-to-open-tax-perks-to-all-businesses

Trigild Takes Over Portfolio of 37 Strip Centers

Trigild, a San Diego-based real estate firm specializing in property and asset management services, has taken over a portfolio of 37 strip centers encompassing 600,000-square-feet of retail space and valued at more than $50 million. Coldwater Portfolio Partners LLC selected Trigild to take over day-to-day operations – including lease administration and maintenance operations – for the properties, located in 17 states throughout the Southeast, West and Midwest, including Iowa, Colorado, Michigan, Illinois, Michigan, Louisiana, Wisco

nsin and Indiana.

San Diego North Chamber Hires New Director of Economic Development and Policy

Todd Philips

Todd Philips, a veteran of more than 17 years in the private and public sectors, has been named the new director of economic development and policy by the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce. Philips worked in several leadership rolls with the San Diego Housing Commission and the San Diego Workforce Partnership, and worked as chief adviser to two CEOs on policy and management issues. He begins work on Monday.

Union Bank Expands Services

Union Bank has launched a new program aimed at providing banking services to low-to-moderate income consumers. Its new Access Account will allow those who may not qualify for a traditional bank account to obtain an account. The plan for a successful operation involves minimizing the likelihood of fees such as overdraft and nonsufficient funds while providing easier access to funds through branch offices and ATMs.

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Real Estate Sales & Transactions

Summerwood Apartments in Fallbrook

The 33-unit Summerwood Apartments at 365 West Clemmens Lane in Fallbrook has been sold for $2.75 million to Felipe and Concepcion Jimenez. The seller was Crown Partners LP. The property has 12 two-bedroom, one-bath and 20 one-bedroom, one-bath units, and one unit used by management for storage. Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services marketed the property.

Four Points Business Park

Brookwood Financial Partners LLC in Massachusetts has acquired Four Points Business Park, a multi-tenant office property in San Diego.The 124,712-square-foot, three-building business park, which is 84 percent occupied, is located at the intersection of Ruffin Road and Chesapeake Drive in Kearny Mesa. the new owner intends to make “significant physical improvements” to the property.

Terraza Corporate Plaza Leases

New leases signed over the last 12 months totaling 45,803 square feet have taken La Terraza Corporate Plaza in Escondido to 96 percent leased. Cypress Office Properties principals Ron Lack and Mark Wayne acquired the three-story, 78,477-square-foot Class A property from a lender in October 2011 when the building was 38 percent leased. Regus was the newest lease. Other tenants include: Oak Creek Energy, Elizabeth Hospice, Wells Fargo Bank and RBC Wealth Management.

Sage at Oasis of Hope, Playas de Tijuana

One Eighty, an American operator of senior living communities, has opened its first location in Mexico, Sage at Oasis of Hope. The senior living community, situated within the Oasis of Hope Hospital in Playas de Tijuana, has 29 for-rent assisted living and memory care apartments targeted at San Diego and Tijuana area seniors. Amenities include fitness and balance building, 24-hour staffing, and an activity program. Information: (664-609-66-06.

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The Joint Chiropractic Clinic Opens in Escondido

The Joint clinic, a franchised chiropractic clinic, has opened at 1250-A Auto Park Way in Escondido. The clinic is owned by Dr. Stephen Harkins of Harkins Chiropractic Corp. and is managed by The Joint franchisees and sisters, Stephanie and Beth McRae. Besides owning and operating four Massage Envy clinics in the San Diego area, Stephanie McRae has a law career. Beth McRae is president of The McRae Agency, a public relations and marketing firm. The Joint is being led by John Leonesio, founder and former CEO of Massage Envy.

CBRE Adds Senior Project Manager

Kellie Hill

Kellie Hill has joined the CBRE San Diego project management team as senior project manager. She oversees all project management in Southern California. Hill previously was vice president of project and development services in Southern California for Cassidy Turley. Before that, she was a project manager for Unisource Solutions Inc.Hill graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in construction management and has more than 15 years of experience in the construction, real estate and development industries.

Marcus & Millichap Appoints Senior Director

Aaron Bove

Aaron Bove has been appointed senior director of Marcus & Millichap’s Special Assets Services Group in San Diego. Bove joined the company in 2001 and was promoted to vice president of investments in 2009. He started his career with a Cincinnati-based multi-family developer which ultimately led him to San Diego and his current position as director of the National Multi Housing Group.

Federal Contracts

Teledyne Wireless

Teledyne Wireless LLC of Poway won a $28,016 federal contract from the Defense Logistics Agency’s Defense Supply Center, Columbus, Ohio, for audio radio amplifiers.

Coastal Marine Services

Coastal Marine Services of San Diego won a federal contract valued at up to $16,318 from the U.S. Coast Guard, Baltimore, for dockside repairs for the USCGC Pike. Place of performance will be in San Francisco.

Illunima Inc.

Illumina Inc. of San Diego won a $57,855 federal contract from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Md., for the yearly maintenance of Tecan Roma laboratory instrument.

The post Daily Business Report-June 7, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

San Diego Rental Market Stable

Rents increased during the winter in San Diego’s rental market, but not by much, KPBS reports. The typical two-bedroom apartment is renting for about $1,428 this spring. That’s up nearly $120 from the average rent one year ago. The San Diego County Apartment Association takes the pulse of the rental market every six months. Association President Alan Pentico said apartment rents have climbed back to where they were before the economy collapsed in 2007. “We follow job growth. As people get jobs, they can afford to move out of their parent’s home or if they doubled up, they can go back to living on their own,” Pentico said. “And that’s what we’re starting to see in this survey.”

The vacancy rate held steady at 4.5 percent, according to Pentico. He said a market with a vacancy rate of 5 percent is considered in balance. Pentico predicted the rising rents and low vacancy rate will likely encourage the construction of more multi-family housing in the coming year.

Alaska Airlines Offers a Third Nonstop Route to Hawaiian Islands

Alaska Airlines is implementing new nonstop air service from San Diego to Lihue, Kauai, the third nonstop route between San Diego and the Hawaiian Islands offered by the airline, complementing existing service to Oahu and Maui.

Balboa Park Conservancy and Balboa Park Central Talk Merger

The Balboa Park Conservancy and Balboa Park Central, two nonprofit organizations working on behalf of the city-owned park, are working toward a merger sometime next year. The Conservancy, formed in 2010, is primarily responsible for raising funds for capital projects and park maintenance. Balboa Park Central provides services to visitors and park institutions and operates the visitors center in the park. “The ongoing working relationship between the Conservancy and Balboa Park Central revealed a natural alignment between our organizations in regards to caring about the whole of the Park and the quality of the visitor experience,” said Carol Chang, the Balboa Park Conservancy’s board president. “It became readily apparent that combining our organizations would not only greatly benefit one another, but the future of the Park as well.”

San Diego Nonprofits Ranked No. 1 in Nation

San Diego’s charities are the best in the nation, according to report from Charity Navigator. Charities in San Diego were ranked 19th best in the nation last year. This year, they have climbed to No. 1, topping cities such as Houston, Kansas City, Cincinnati and San Francisco. Charity Navigator rates the charities in 30 U.S. cities based on growth, funding, assets, efficiency and ethics, according to the organization’s website. (KPBS report).

Information Session Scheduled for Craft Beer Certificate Program at SDSU

Persons wishing to enroll in a craft beer certificate program offered by the San Diego State University College of Extended Studies are encouraged to attend an information session July 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Aztec Brewing Co., 2330 La Mirada Drive, No. 300, in Vista. To register, visit www.neverstoplearning.net/craftbeer. The certificate program for adults 21 and older will offer students an opportunity to learn from instructors who are professionals in the industry in an interactive, hands-on learning environment. Classes will be held both at on-site breweries and SDSU, providing students an opportunity to network with local industry experts. To learn more about the program, call (619) 594-1138.

Greater San Diego Business Association Holds Annual Business Awards Luncheon on June 20

Robert Gleason, chief financial officer and general counsel for Evans Hotels

Robert Gleason, chief financial officer and general counsel for Evans Hotels, will receive the State Farm Insurance Good Neighbor Award on June 20 as part of the Greater San Diego Business Association’s annual Business Awards luncheon. The new award goes to a member of the LGBT community who is dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Mission Valley Hotel, 1433 Camino del Rio South.

Awards will be presented in the following categories to these seven companies, not-for-profit organizations,and individuals:

• GSDBA Business of the Year: Bair Financial Planning, Marci Bair, principal.

• GSDBA New Business of the Year: Wang’s North Park.

• Nonprofit of the Year: Imperial Court de San Diego.

• Community Leadership Award: Todd Gloria.

• Corporate Partner of the Year: Wells Fargo.

• Corporate Diversity Leader: Comerica.

Luncheon tickets are $60. They can be ordered online at www.gsdba.org.

Julie Austin Reappointed to Development Disabilities Council

Julie Austin, 57, of Oceanside, has been reappointed to Area Board XIII of the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, where she has served since 2012. Austin, reappointed by Gov. Brown, has been an independent special education and disabilities advocate since 1997 and an advocate for the developmentally disabled community since 1995. She was the owner and general manager at Brengle Terrace Animal Hospital from 1993 to 1994 and a retail sales associate at Aquarium Supplies Unlimited from 1991 to 1993. Austin held multiple positions at Zoecon Industries Veterinary Pharmaceuticals and Pet Supplies from 1988 to 1991, including regional sales manager. The position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Austin is a Democrat.

Dan McGuckin Named Operations Manager for Turner Construction Co. San Diego Office

Dan McGuckin

Turner Construction Co. has promoted  Dan McGuckin to operations manager for the company’s San Diego office. McGuckin is currently directing the $470 million Terminal 2 West Building and Airside expansion at San Diego International Airport. McGuckin has held numerous roles on high level projects including the San Diego Convention Center expansion, operations manager for the 55 Airports in the Southwest region of the nationwide Baggage Screening Deployment Program, and project executive on several projects including the 1Mission and Aperture condominium projects. He originally joined Turner Construction Company in 1982.

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Real Estate Sales

Miramar Industrial Building

A 9,744-square-foot industrial building at 7737 Formula Place in San Diego has been sold to the Howarde Langman Family Trust for $1.5 million. The seller was the Shannon Family Trust. The buyer plans to operate the space for general office and warehouse facilities with a proposed move-in date of August. Colliers International and Prudential were the brokers.

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San Diego Authors to be Panelists in Summer Reading Program

San Diego authors Kathi Diamant, Laurel Corona, Zohreh Ghahremani, Caitlin Rother and Judith Liu will be featured on a panel at a June 29 summer reading program sponsored by Adventures by the book in partnership with the Carlsbad Library. The authors, members of San Diego Writing Women, will be joined by moderator Susan McBeth, founder of Adventures by the Book. The program will be at 4 p.m. at the Dove Library, 1775 Dove Lane in Carlsbad. It is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing. For more information, contact Jessica Padilla at (760) 602-2049.

Panelists to Discuss Catholic Church’s Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael D’Antonio, author of a new book about the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse scandal, joins other panelists at a June 26 program discussing clergy sex abuse in the United States and Southern California. It will be held at 7 p.m. at Alliant University’s Green Hall, 10455 Pomerado Road, San Diego. The event is co-sponsored by IVAT, the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma at Alliant University and SNAP, The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. D’Antonio’s book, “Mortal Sins: Sex, Crime and the Era of Catholic Scandal,” is a sweeping account of the church’s sexual abuse scandal and the persons who fought for justice. Other panelists: Patrick Wall, a former priest, now advocate for victims of clergy sex abuse; San Diego attorney Irwin Zalkin; and A.W. Richard Sipe, a former priest and expert on celibacy and sexual abuse in the church who lives in San Diego.

SDSU Fundraising Campaign Tops $400 Million

The Campaign for SDSU, the campus fundraising program, has climbed to more than $400 million, getting a big boost from a $250,000 donation by Union Bank to the university’s Guardian Scholars program. Launched in 2007, the campaign has benefited from 76 gifts of $1 million or more. It has included more than $200 million for SDSU’s eight colleges to establish faculty endowments and support academic programming. Another $55 million in gifts support students through scholarships, internships and research opportunities.

Adrian Noble to Finish His Last Summer Shakespeare Run 

Adrian Noble

This is the last summer in a three-year run for renowned Shakespeare director Adrian Noble, who’s been at the helm of The Old Globe’s outdoor Shakespeare series in Balboa Park. Noble spent 13 years as chief of England’s Royal Shakespeare Company. This summer’s season includes “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (June 2-Sept. 29), “The Merchant of Venice” (June 9-Sept. 28) and for the festival’s annual non-Shakespeare selection, “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” (June 16-Sept. 26).

Eight San Diego County Cases Linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak

The number of San Diego County Hepatitis A cases associated with a recall of Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend of frozen berries sold through Costco has grown to eight, according to officials with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. The eight local individuals with hepatitis A reported eating the frozen berry blend purchased from Costco. Six of the cases were hospitalized and have fully recovered. Two more local cases are currently under investigation. At least 49 cases in seven states have been identified in the outbreak, and at least 12 have been reported in other counties in California. Health officials expect more cases to be reported because it can take up to seven weeks to become ill with hepatitis A after exposure to the virus. “If you ate the recalled frozen berry blend within the past two weeks, talk to your health care provider about getting immunizations to prevent the illness,” said Wilma Wooten, county public health officer.

Walden Family Services Staff and Volunteers Raise $3,850 at the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Half-Marathon

Staff members and volunteers of  Walden Family Services, a nonprofit foster care and adoption agency, ran the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Half-Marathon in support of the foster youth, adoptive youth and families they serve. The team, “Running4Families,” reached its goal of raising $3,850. Walden team members included Jennifer Chavez, Alanna Chiler, Craig Gainor, Erica Hoy, Sarah Lara-Toney, Elia Madera, Michelle Ozanne, Teresa Stivers and Wendy Van Dyk. The agency is currently raising money to send foster youth to camp.  To donate, visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/foster-youth-summer-camp-fund.

San Diego County Fair Opens on Saturday

The annual mix of down-home agricultural exhibits, belly-busting food, eye-catching entertainment and powerhouse musical lineups is set to return to the Del Mar Fairgrounds for a month-long engagement on Saturday with the opening of the 2013 San Diego County Fair. The fair runs through July 4.

Touting a theme of “Game On!,” this year’s fair is designed to spotlight classic and nostalgic games and show how these have evolved over the years — from board games and pinball to television, videos and computers — and to demonstrate how technology has enhanced the gaming culture beyond dreams.

Of course, the fair has plenty of food and drink vendors spread across the fairway and the infield track area. And each year, Fair officials spice things up with some very unusual food offerings that, well, can test one’s willingness to break the normal gastronomical barriers. This year, among other items, vendors will be selling Krispy Kreme sloppy Joes; deep-fried, bacon-wrapped pickles; chipotle BBQ beef chips;
bacon beer;
wild boar kabobs; and waffle dogs.

Also new this year is a “Star Trek Exhibition,” an interactive, museum-style experience involving one of the largest collections of authentic Star Trek artifacts and information ever put on public display, according to Fair officials. (sdnews.com)

The post Daily Business Report-June 6, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.

City Attorney Jan Goldsmith

City of San Diego’s Legal Settlements,

Related Costs at Eight-Year Low

The city of San Diego’s costs for court settlements, judgments, outside counsel and related legal expenses have dropped to their lowest level in at least eight years, City Attorney Jan Goldsmith’s office said Tuesday. In a release, Goldsmith said the city paid out $18.5 million in fiscal year 2012. Costs for settlements, judgments and related legal expenses spiked in 2007 at $31.8 million, he said.

The city has saved an average of more than $5 million per year (for these costs) during Goldsmith’s tenure, compared to that of his predecessor, according to the release. The average annual amount the city has paid since Goldsmith was elected in December 2008 is $22.9 million. That figure was $28.2 million per year under Mike Aguirre.

“My first priority when I took office in 2008 was to restore stability to the City Attorney’s office and rein in runaway legal costs,” Goldsmith said. “One of the main components of that plan was to greatly reduce the practice of farming out litigation to outside counsel.”

Rendering of casino proposed by the Jamul Indian Village.

Meeting on Proposed Jamul Casino Expected to Draw Large Crowd

A large crowd is expected tonight at a public meeting in Jamul to discuss a controversial plan by the Jamul Indian Village to construct a three-story, $360 million casino along rural state Route 94. County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who opposes the plan, community leaders and Jamul Indian Village representatives are to attend the meeting at 7 p.m. in the Jamul Primary School, 14567 Lyons Valley Road. Jamul Indian Village is partnering with Penn National Gaming Inc. to develop a 200,000-square-foot casino with at least 1,700 slot machines and 50 table games, restaurants, bars, lounges and a parking structure on a six-acre site. Jacob and other opponents say the casino would create a traffic nightmre, heighten fire risks, strain public services and resources and destroy Jamul’s rural character. The Jamul Indian tribe said the casino would add jobs and benefit the local economy.

Judge Upholds Landmark 2003 Colorado River Accord

Decision secures water supplies for San Diego County and California

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Lloyd G. Connelly on Tuesday validated the 2003 Colorado River Quantification Settlement Agreement and rejected all of the remaining legal challenges to the landmark accord. The ruling secures a key component of water supply for the San Diego County Water Authority, which will receive 180,000 acre-feet of water this year as result of the QSA and related projects. For California, Connelly’s decision provides certainty about access to its basic annual apportionment of 4.4 million acre-feet of water from the Colorado River. “The Colorado River Quantification Settlement Agreement and its cornerstone water transfer agreements mean long-term water security for our region’s $188 billion economy and the quality of life of 3.1 million residents,” said Thomas Worham, chair of the Water Authority board of directors.

College Degrees Pay Off in California Despite Increasing Student Debt

SDSU graduation. (SDSU NewsCenter)

Student debt amounts are on the rise across the country. A new report from the Public Policy Institute of California points to the lowest community college fees in the country and relatively strong state financial aid as two factors keeping debt loads lower for California students, KPBS reports. In California, a higher proportion of students attend public colleges and fewer take out loans compared to the national average. The report shows that those who do borrow finish college with a median debt load of $15,000, compared to $17,100 nationally. The higher wages and more stable employment that came with a college degree outweighed the burden of repaying loans for most California students, according to Hans Johnson, a research fellow with the institute. Borrowing to attend for-profit private colleges may not pay off though.

“It is a concern,” Johnson said, “that students who are the most vulnerable in terms of not being able to succeed in college and therefore having the worst labor market outcomes often end up at colleges that have some of the highest loan amounts.”

BioMed Realty Completes Merger with Wexford Science & Technology

San Diego-based BioMed Realty has completed its previously announced merger with Baltimore’s Wexford Science & Technology. The Wexford Science & Technology division will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BioMed Realty. “The Wexford team developed the highly successful model for university development and brings a wealth of expertiese, creativity and relationships in meeting the real estate needs of the academic and medical research communities,” said Alan Gold, chairman and CEO of BioMed Realty.

County Keeps High Bond Ratings

Standard & Poor’s and Fitch affirmed the county’s highest ratings of AAA for general credit worthiness. Moody’s had previously affirmed the county’s second highest rating of Aa1 in February. All three ratings agencies assigned the highest possible ratings for the county’s short term borrowing as well. “These ratings affirm Wall Street’s belief that the county has weathered the financial storms of recent years and is in strong shape to meet the needs of the future,” said Supervisor Greg Cox, chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

The credit rating agencies forecast a stable outlook for the county due to conservative budgeting, strong management and the region’s sizeable, deep and diverse economy. They also cited the county’s low debt level and healthy financial reserves.

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Real Estate Sales

San Diego Marriott Courtyard

San Diego Marriott Courtyard

The San Diego Marriott Courtyard in Downtown has been sold for $71.1 million to Hersha Hospitality Trust based in Philadelphia. The The hotel has 245 rooms. It once housed the San Diego Savings and Trust Bank. The seller was Wheelock Street Capital, which purchased the hotel for $61.1 million in 2011. Hersha Hospitality Trust is a real estate investment trust that owns interest in 64 hotels with a combined total of 9,307 rooms.

Encinitas Rental Property

SC Jones Construction Inc. purchased a 1,848-square-foot coastal duplex rental property consisting of two two-bedroom units with two-car garages located at 1095-1099 Regal Road in Encinitas from Harrison Properties for $650,000. Ray Adams of Cassidy Turley San Diego represented the seller. Polly Rogers of Prudential California Realty represented the buyer.

Alpine Office Building

Corder Family Emeryville Properties LP purchased a 4,977-square-foot office building located at 2605 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine from Melba 16, LLC, for $606,000. Brian Jinings of Cassidy Turley San Diego represented the buyer. Ronald Brookshire of The Property Place Inc., represented the seller.

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LUX Education Pavilion Groundbreaking

Del Mar-based Anne Sneed Architectural Interiors and LUX Art Institute celebrated the groundbreaking of the new LUX education pavilion. Anne Sneed is remodeling and reimaging the existing building adjacent to the main LUX Art Institute at 1550 S. El Camino Real in Encinitas. The 6,700-square-foot pavilion willinclude three large art studios, a gallery and community gathering space, a woodshop, a digital lounge, staff offices and a spacious backyard landscaped for events, outdoor art classes and picnics.  Construction of the pavilion is expected to be completed in late 2013. Landscaping will be by Schmidt Design Group Inc.

New Start-Up In-Home Care Company Opens in San Diego

24Hr HomeCare, a company that provides medical in-home care services, has opened its newest full-service location in La Jolla. The address is 4350 Executive Drive, Suite 205. The company said it offers a variety of customizable services and programs that enable seniors and the disabled to continue full, active and healthy lifestyles. The La Jolla office is the sixth new office established in California. Since 2008, the company has grown from $1 million in revenue and one location to more than $18 million in revenue and six locations.

Stretch of El Cajon Boulevard to be Renamed ‘Little Saigon’

The San Diego City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to designate a six-block stretch of El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego as the Little Saigon Cultural and Commercial District. The stretch of roadway between Euclid and Highland Avenues is home to about 120 businesses owned by residents of Vietnamese descent, community boosters told the council members.

Councilwoman Marti Emerald said the designation was “vitally important” to the diverse community. “We have an opportunity to create a remarkable area of the city, one that will attract people from throughout San Diego and the region, and throughout California, to come and celebrate a beautiful part of our history, our culture and, again, our diversity,” said Emerald, who represents the area. Council President Todd Gloria said Little Saigon would be similar to Little Italy, which he called “a huge success.” Little Italy frequently stages events that attracts thousands of San Diegans.

Plans for the area include sprucing up storefronts with a unifying architectural theme, along with common signs and decorations, which supporters hope will lead to increased investment and a reduction in crime and graffiti. The 40,000 Vietnamese residents in San Diego represent the area’s second-largest Asian population behind Filipinos.

City Council Places New Caps on Party Contributions in San Diego Elections

City News Service —The San Diego City Council gave initial approval Tuesday to caps on the amount of money political parties can give to candidates and causes in San Diego city elections, but left a loophole open for the election cycle that just started. The lid for citywide campaigns, such as for mayor or city attorney, would be $20,000 if adopted June 18 on second reading and subsequently signed into law by Mayor Bob Filner. For district races, like for City Council, the cap limit would be $10,000.

Councilwoman Marti Emerald said the issue is very simple. San Diego’s old $1,000 lid was struck down by a judge as too restrictive, so there were no limits on party giving for the 2012 elections.

The loophole for political parties is that the current no-limits situation will remain in effect until the new caps become law, which according to council President Todd Gloria would not be until July 20 at the earliest. Since the new election cycle leading to the June 2014 primary started Monday, political parties will be able to — in the words of Councilman Scott Sherman — “dump a bunch of money” on candidates who have already declared their intention to run for office.

Even-numbered City Council districts are up for election next year. Among those who have thrown their hats into the ring are Councilwoman Lorie Zapf, who hopes to switch from District 6 to District 2, and Chris Cate, the interim executive director of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association.

Cate is seeking to succeed Zapf, who recused herself from voting on the issue. Newly installed Councilwoman Myrtle Cole, who will also be up for re-election, took part in the vote.

Mad Catz Interactive Names Chief Financial Officer

Mad Catz Interactive Inc. in San Diego has appointed Karen K. McGinnis, 46, as chief financial officer, effective June 10. McGinnis replaces Allyson Evans, who recently announced her intention to resign. McGinnis has more than 20 years of accounting, financial reporting and other financial experience at multi-national companies. She previously was vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer of Cymer Inc. McGinnis also served as chief accounting officer at Insight Enterprises Inc.

Maxwell Technologies Appoints Chief Operating Officer

Maxwell Technologies Inc. has appointed John J. Warwick chief operating officer, effective June 17, with overall responsibility for the San Diego company’s operations in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Prior to joining Maxwell, Warwick was senior vice president of operations for Emulex, a leader in network connectivity, monitoring and management, from August 2006 to June 2013.

Warwick also held executive positions with Lantronix Inc., PRTM and Western Digital Corp.

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Capitol Update: Enterprise Zones

By Brendan Foote, senior vp of Hughes Marino Tax Credit Services

Brendan Foote

The California Enterprise Zone Program, which has directly contributed to the creation and retention of hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the state, is coming under fire by lawmakers in Sacramento. The program, which has been around for nearly three decades, has secured billions in investments into our towns and cities, and has helped attract and retain big business in the state. Year after year, the program has buoyed dozens of distressed business communities, offering them solutions for economic growth. It has helped the “hard to hire” re-enter the workforce, and it is putting our returning veterans back to work. So why, in a time when we need this program the most, are lawmakers actively trying to dismantle it? There are currently three “moving pieces” surrounding the fate of this job-creation program. First, Governor Brown’s May (Budget) Revise, second is Senator Hill’s (D) SB 434 and third, Assemblyman Manny Perez’s (D) AB 28. For the full story, visit: www.hughesmarino.com/articles/capitol-update-enterprise-zones.

The post Daily Business Report-June 5, 2013 appeared first on San Diego Metro Magazine.