Daily Business Report-Sept. 30, 2009
San Ysidro Port of Entry to get new bridge
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded an $11.6 million contract to Clark Construction Group-California LP of Costa Mesa for construction of a new east/west pedestrian bridge at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. It is the busiest land port of entry in the world with more than 50 million travelers annually and is projected to process 85 million travelers by 2030. GSA is planning a three-phase project to improve traffic flow, safety and security at the port, and will realign Interstate Highway 5 to new Mexican inspection facilities to the west at El Chaparral. The pedestrian bridge is part of the first phase to modernize and expand the port, which is operated by the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The full project is scheduled for completion in 2014.
During the first phase of construction, the goal is to improve the efficiency of vehicular traffic crossing while addressing the challenges of CBP’s heightened security, and its goal of facilitating lawful travel into the U.S. The pedestrian bridge project will provide southbound pedestrian access to Mexico, after which the existing old pedestrian bridge and the administration building over Interstate Highway 5 will be demolished. The new pedestrian bridge will serve as the southbound access point until a new southbound pedestrian access is constructed east of Interstate Highway 5. This bridge access is also expected to improve pedestrian cross town mobility.
Federal contracts awarded to San Diego County companies
• Michael Mihos Construction Inc. in San Diego won a $281,516.81 federal contract from the U.S. Army’s Contracting Agency, North Region, Seaside, Calif., for the removal and replacement of existing windows and frames.
• Dynamic Instruments Inc. of San Diego won a $103,524 federal contract from the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command, Philadelphia, for the repair and modification of tabs aircraft mater.
• Hamilton Sundstrand Corp. in San Diego, won a $40,759 federal contract from the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command, Philadelphia, for annular ball bearings.
• Audio-Video Supply Inc., dba Recording Centers Service Co. in San Diego, won a $26,808.80 federal contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, Chula Vista, for various audio visual equipment.
• LARSCOR General Contractors of San Diego won a $36,800 federal contract from the U.S. Army’s Contracting Agency, North Region, Seaside, Calif., for the painting of the interior of Building 6.
(Source: Targeted News Service: www.targetednews.com)
Leasing Activity
• Andrew Gade, dba Eloquent Auto, leased the 12,000-square-foot warehouse building at 10801 Vista Sorrento Parkway in San Diego for five years at a value of $752,320. Sam Higgins of CB Richard Ellis represented Eloquent Auto. Tim Olson of Colliers International represented the lessor, John Hancock Life Insurance Co. The Vista Sorrento Parkway facility is Eloquent Auto’s second San Diego location as the company expands both its geographical presence and its services including commercial, residential and vehicle window tinting along with after-market auto upgrades.
• Libra Development Co. leased a 7,000-square-foot office/warehouse building located on a one-acre fenced site at 6460 Marindustry Place in San Diego. The 64-month lease is valued at $854,334. Dean Asaro of CB Richard Ellis represented both Libra Development and the lessor, RE Hazard Com.
Tenant improvements finished at Veterans Association HQ
Smith Consulting Architects has completed the design of tenant improvements for the new 10,000-square-foot office headquarters for the Veterans Association of North County located in the vacant former Oceanside Police Station at 1617 Mission Ave. in Oceanside. VANC is a private, nonprofit coalition of 30 veterans groups including Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and The American Legion, among others. Together, the organizations serve a member base of 5,000 North County veterans. Stirling Enterprises, developer of the Ocean Ranch Corporate Center project, is working with VANC to develop the new headquarters building on a pro bono basis.
The facility is in process of being established as the Veterans’ Memorial Building. Tenant improvement construction is expected to begin by 2010. The building will provide North County veterans, active duty, reservest and their families with information on resources, services, and job search support per the needs of veterans or family members. It will house administrative offices, conference rooms, a kitchen, and study/job search support areas with computers. It also will include a social hall where various veterans’ organizations can meet, sponsor events and have a permanent mailing address.
VANC will occupy the space under a 30-year rent-free lease agreement with the city of Oceanside. The lease gives VANC the option for three, 10-year extensions on its lease. The city of Oceanside is taking charge of improvements to the facility’s foundation and exterior, while VANC is responsible for other renovation costs, to be paid for through public and private donations and fundraising events. Mark Langan served as vice president-in-charge for Smith Consulting Architects, with Brian Drache as senior project architect. Erica Hutchinson was the interior designer. Alliance Land Planning & Engineering Inc. served as the civil engineer, with Prime Structural Engineers as structural engineer. Kruse & Associates Inc. is the electrical engineer and McParlane and Associates is the mechanical engineer. Orness Design Group Inc. is serving as the food service consultant. Mark Huber of Stirling Enterprises is director of design and construction on behalf of VANC.
S.D. Medical Services Enterprises donates ambulance
San Diego Medical Services Enterprise has donated a heavy rescue ambulance to the Encinitas Kiwanis for the organization’s “Books Ahoy” Program. The Kiwanians will convert the apparatus into a mobile library for their pirate-themed literacy program, which encourages children to become lifelong readers. The Kiwanis will be using the ambulance, soon to be dubbed the “Good Ship Literacy,” as the book mobile library/storage for all donated books. The books will be driven to a different school once a month by “Captain Book,” and teachers are invited to select 10 to 20 books for their classroom libraries. “We have been involved with the Encinitas Kiwanis for many years and we are really thrilled to be able to give back to this very rewarding program,” said SDMSE Chief Operating Officer Wayne Johnson. Prior to the ambulance donation, the Encinitas Kiwanis were using one of their members’ personal pick-up trucks for the school trips every month.
Seminar offered on growing a consulting practice
The San Diego chapter of the Institute of Management Consultants will sponsor an Oct. 8 seminar on “So You Want to be a Consultant: Growing Your Consulting Practice in Turbulent Times.” It will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lions Club, 310 Market St. in Downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter. The cost is $49 for early registration (until Oct. 6) and $59 at the door. Registration can be made online at www.imcsd.org. Mike Barney, chapter president, said the seminar is beneficial for experienced consultants, new consultants and for those contemplating a consulting career. Topics will include: What consulting is — and is not; finding your consulting niche; attracting clients most likely to hire you; and I wish I had known then what I know now.
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