Daily Business Report: Thursday, April 4, 2024
California’s most controversial
housing law could get a makeover
By Ben Christopher | CalMatters
For the last two years the “builder’s remedy” has been the unruly teenager of California housing laws. Running roughshod over zoning regulations while sowing angst among local elected officials, the law lets developers build as much as they like, wherever they like, in cities and counties that have blown past deadlines to get their housing development blueprints certified by state regulators.
Despite its use as a hardball negotiating tactic by aggressive developers no project has broken ground, much less finished, as a result of the builder’s remedy. That’s partially because relatively few developers are willing to make use of the confusingly-worded law for lack of legal certainty.
Now, some of California’s most powerful Democratic lawmakers are pushing legislation that would clear up, but also rein in, the state’s most controversial housing statute. Nearly a year and a half since a developer first used the law to propose a zoning-code-blowing project, 2024 may be the year that the builder’s remedy grows up
Top Photo: A building set to have 40 apartment units with four retail stores is under construction at the intersection of Wilshire and 6th Street in Santa Monica. May 24, 2023. (Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for CalMatters)
_______________________________________
Viasat to bring in-flight connectivity
to an additional 40 aircraft in Korean Air Fleet
Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, has been selected to power in-flight connectivity onboard 40 additional aircraft by Korean Air, South Korea’s flag carrier. The latest aircraft set to be connected in the Korean Air fleet will be 40 Boeing 787s, following news shared last year that Korean Air had committed to equipping 30 Airbus A321Neos with Viasat connectivity – its first in-flight connectivity partnership.
This announcement will bring the total number of Korean Air aircraft to be equipped with Viasat’s connectivity solution to 70, with all aircraft scheduled to enter service by the end of 2027.
By adding connectivity to the cabin across so many aircraft, Korean Air is committing to meeting passenger expectations for increased connectivity while onboard. With the high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi enabled by Viasat, Korean Air passengers will be able to browse the internet, enjoy social media, stream video and audio, shop online, catch-up with work, and more – all from the comfort of their seats.
_______________________________________
Kratos demonstrates XQ-58 electronic warfare
capabilities for U.S. Marine Corps
San Diego defense contractor Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. announced that its Kratos Unmanned Systems Division has successfully demonstrated the ability of the XQ-58A to fly in concert with two F-35 aircraft and the ability to deliver an integrated electronic attack capability on the XQ-58A Valkyrie aircraft during a live flight test event at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The demonstration completes the first phase of the United States Marine Corps’ Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer – Portfolio program. Flight test support was provided by the 40th Flight Test Squadron, 96th Test Wing. All flight test objectives were successfully met.
_______________________________________
Realtors groups receive $1.16 million grant
to assist San Diego flood victims
The Greater San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR), in collaboration with the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), announced that it jointly received a $1.16 million grant from the Realtors Relief Foundation to assist San Diego flood victims who suffered from flood damage during the January storms.
The grant funds will be used to assist in recovery efforts to affected homeowners and renters after flooding damaged their homes in several vulnerable San Diego neighborhoods, including Encanto, Mountain View, Southcrest, Lemon Grove, National City, and Spring Valley. Applicants have the ability to apply through a link on the SDAR home page, where the submission will be reviewed for eligibility and processed by the Realtors Relief Foundation. The grant is made available to eligible residents who will have the opportunity to receive a check equal to the amount of their monthly housing payment, up to $2,900.
_______________________________________
Barnhart-Reese Construction lands contract
to build new El Centro Police Station
Barnhart-Reese Construction Inc. (BRC) has been awarded a contract to build a new El Centro Police Station with a $40 million budget, and Sharp Moore MountainView Hospice Home, a contract worth $6 million
The El Centro Police Station will consist of phased demolition of the existing police station to allow for the construction of two buildings totaling 44,477 square feet. The main building is a 32,671-square-foot, two-story building with a public lobby, a community meeting/multipurpose space, offices, and patrol-related functions including lockers, fitness, and report writing areas.
The second building is a support building of 11,806 square feet. The ground floor will house property and evidence, a K-9 unit, a fingerprint laboratory, and various police support and storage functions. The upper floor will be constructed as shell space to be eventually used to house an indoor police firearms range. The project will be constructed in two phases to maintain the operations of the police during construction. Renderings courtesy Arrington Watkins Architects.
_______________________________________
Prebys Foundation seeks to secure developer
interest in remaking downtown Civic Center
A prominent philanthropic organization has cut a $303,000 check to hire an outside consultant to help San Diego sidestep repeat failure as it seeks to secure developer interest in remaking the city’s Civic Center real estate. On Tuesday, the Prebys Foundation and the Downtown San Diego Partnership announced that they’ve hired Philadelphia-based real estate consulting and urban planning firm U3 Advisors to come up with a big-picture vision for the six downtown blocks that the city intends to once again market for sale or lease later this year.
California Western School of Law’s
Innocence Clinic open to students
California Western School of Law’s Innocence Clinic is now open to students looking to receive academic credit to work on innocence and post-conviction cases. This will be the first time that CWSL will offer students the opportunity to participate in clinical innocence work during the summer session. Over the past few months, CWSL’s partnership with Megan D. Baca and her team at California Innocence Advocates have provided volunteer opportunities for students to help free the wrongly convicted from prison, receiving critical hands-on experience in innocence work. Students will work alongside experienced post-conviction attorneys to seek the release of wrongfully convicted prisoners in California.
Andrew Choe named CEO of Bumble Bee Seafoods
Andrew Choe has been appointed chief executive officer for Bumble Bee Seafoods. The appointment was made by Jerry Chou, chair of the company board.
Chou served as interim CEO since July 2022.
Choe spent more than a decade at StarKist, as SVP of Supply Chain and Operations for two years, and then as CEO for eight years. In his tenure, he was highly engaged in all aspects of the business including supply chain management, manufacturing, customer and broker relations, innovation and brand building.
_______________________________________
Kip Johansen and Patrick Wight join Cetera Advisor Networks
Cetera Financial Group, the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, announced that Kip Johansen and Patrick Wight have joined Cetera Advisor Networks via AdvisorNet Financial
doing business as Mill City Financial Partners. Mill City Financial Partners provides comprehensive financial planning and investment advice to clients and had more than $135 million in assets under administration as of Nov. 30, 2023. The pair joined Cetera from LPL Financial.
Tourmo relocates headquarters to San Diego technology hub
Tourmo, a leading innovator in Fleet Operations Management Software announced the relocation of its headquarters to a state-of-the-art facility at 3655 Nobel Drive, Suite 660, San Diego. This strategic move is part of its ongoing commitment to growth and innovation, providing expanded space for team members and a new, modern customer briefing center for customers, prospects, and partners. The new headquarters is located in the heart of San Diego’s vibrant technology hub.
Praveen Raju, MD, appointed medical director at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego
Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, one of the nation’s top pediatric health care systems, and the University of California San Diego, announced that Praveen Raju, MD, will be appointed as medical director, Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego; and director, Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Program, and associate physician diplomate, neurosciences, at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
International Land Alliance announces opening
of new clubhouse and hotel at Oasis Park Resort
International Land Alliance Inc., an environmentally sustainable real estate development company, announced the ribbon cutting at its planned new clubhouse and beachfront boutique hotel on the property of the Oasis Park Resort. The company is dedicated to innovation and sustainable energy solutions, and is embarking on the sale of properties within the initial phase of the 500-acre Oasis Park Resort Development, located on the Sea of Cortez in San Felipe, Baja California.
Cordial signs new digital marketing agreement with Realtor.com
Cordial, a leading marketing platform that automates billions of data-driven emails, SMS and mobile app messages, has inked a new agreement with Move Inc., the operator of Realtor.com, to deliver highly personalized and unified marketing campaigns to Realtor.com audiences. Cordial’s advancements in the AI space will also allow customers to execute strategies faster, anticipate their customers’ every move and make more adaptive, better-informed decisions.
Dr. Elizbeth H. Z. Thompson appointed
to top position at Acadia Pharmaceuticals
Acadia Pharmaceuticals announced the appointment of Dr. Elizabeth H. Z. Thompson as executive vice president, head of research and development. Thompson will lead research and development at Acadia and serve as a member of the company’s executive leadership team, reporting to Steve Davis, chief executive officer of Acadia. Thompson most recently served as executive vice president, research and development, at Amgen.
Toku appoints chief health officer
Toku announced the appointment of Professor Michael V. McConnell, MD, to the role of chief health officer. ] McConnell’s former roles include director of advanced çardiovascular Imaging and Preventive Cardiology at Stanford University and Head of cardiovascular health innovations at Google. He is also a founding member of the American Heart Association’s Health Tech Advisory Group and author of Fight Heart Disease Like Cancer.
Vektor Medical announces publication of data in Journal
Vektor Medical, a pioneer in non-invasive, AI-based arrhythmia analysis technology, announced the publication of data in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology (JACE) demonstrating vMap’s ability to reduce the time from mapping to treatment, procedure duration, and fluoroscopy when treating cardiac arrhythmia patients with ablation therapy. The JACE publication is the third peer-reviewed study since late 2021 demonstrating vMap’s potential to help physicians rapidly and accurately identify arrhythmia source locations.
QuidelOrtho receives FDA clearance for QuickVue COVID-19 test
QuidelOrtho Corporation has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for its QuickVue COVID-19 test. This clearance allows the test to be used with accuracy and convenience in home and medical facility settings with CLIA certificates of waiver. This achievement also reflects QuidelOrtho’s dedication to delivering effective testing solutions while highlighting ongoing efforts in research and development to enhance market competitiveness.
