Daily Business Report — June 28, 2010
More Funds Committed for New Downtown Library
More than 81 percent of the funding needed for construction of a new central library Downtown has been raised toward the project’s $184.9 million guaranteed maximum price. The City Council is scheduled to vote on approval of the library today. Mayor Jerry Sanders announced donors of more than $30.8 million in private commitments and $10 million in private support to cover operating costs of the library when it opens. The San Diego Public Library Foundation released a list showing commitments of $500,000 to $15 million from 10 major donors. Some $32.5 million of private support is needed. Joan and Irwin Jacobs have committed $15 million to construction and an additional $5 million toward operations of the library. “I am inspired by the generosity of these donors who have believed in this city’s greatness and this project through so many years,” said Sanders. “I am personally committed to helping raise the additional funds needed to complete the library and am confident in the Library Foundation’s ability to lead those efforts.”
Library Foundation Chair Judith C. Harris thanked the 67 families who have committed to the library and charter school project thus far and expressed confidence in the foundation’s ability to raise the additional $32.5 million. The private commitments are paired with $80 million in funding from Centre City Development Corp., $20 million from a state library grant (the largest awarded from Prop 14 funds) and $20 million from the San Diego Unified School District to lease space for a charter school for a total of more than $150 million.
Property Tax Assessment Appeal Period to Open July 2
Individuals and businesses wishing to appeal their property tax assessments for the year 2010-2011 may do so between July 2 and Nov. 30. Applications, information booklets and staff assistance are available at the Clerk of the Board Office in the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 402. To file an application, taxpayers should know their parcel or tax bill number, property address and must state on the application their opinion of the property’s market value.Applications must be received in the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Office no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 30, or be postmarked no later than midnight, Nov. 30.
Madison High Construction Project Under Way
Construction has begun on the $2.6 million College, Career & Technical Education building at Madison High School in San Diego. It is the second building for the school since September 2009. Construction began on the school’s $3.3 million automotive technology facility during fall 2009, and it is expected to be complete this fall. Both projects are funded by Proposition S and a California Proposition 1D grant. The new 3,250 square-foot, high-definition broadcast journalism building will support traditional live broadcasts, as well as Webcast capabilities. The facility supports a course of study that prepares students for work in the arts, media and entertainment industry. The broadcast area consists of a 900-square-foot, two-set studio next to an adjacent 335-square-foot, eight-workstation control room. Student learning and project preparation will occur in a 1,150-square-foot audiovisual classroom that will have three editing rooms. The project is one of 19 construction contracts awarded by the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education since Proposition S was passed in November 2008.
Preuss School Teacher Wins Amgen Award for Teaching Excellence
Anne Artz of The Preuss School UCSD is among 34 science teachers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico named as a recipient of the 18th annual Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence. She also was recently selected as one of the 2010 Bezos Scholars and one of 10 teachers nationwide to receive a grant from the Society for Science and the Public. Because of Artz’s efforts, The Preuss School UCSD will be awarded more than $40,000. Both the Amgen and the Society for Science and the Public grants are related to the topic of environmental science. “In these budgetary times, Anne Artz has taken it upon herself to not only seek funding for the science curriculum, but to provide the most cutting-edge science and technology education to Preuss students,” said Preuss Principal Scott Barton. “She’s an educator extraordinaire, an excellent example of the outstanding faculty that we have here.” Preuss is a middle and high school dedicated to providing intensive college-prep education for low-income students who will become the first in their families to graduate from college. Amgen awarded Artz $5,000 and a restricted $5,000 cash grant to The Preuss School UCSD “for the expansion or enhancement of a school science program, science resources or the professional development of the school’s science teachers.”
Better Business Bureau Mixer Scheduled for July 8
The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB) will host a business-to-business networking mixer from 4 to 6 p.m. on July 8, at the U.S. Grant Hotel, 326 Broadway, in Downtown San Diego. The public is invited to attend. More than 300 business and community leaders have attended previous BBB mixers held in various locations around the county. Admission is $10 per person. For event information, visit sandiego.bbb.org or contact Andrea McNelis at the BBB offices, (858) 637-6199.
Game Day Sports Leases Space at Twin Peaks Plaza
Game Day Sports Inc. has leased 4,125 square feet of retail space at Twin Peaks Plaza, 14767 Pomerado Road, in Poway 92064. The 67-month lease is valued at $507,375. Reg Kobzi of CB Richard Ellis represented the lessor, Regency Centers LP. Game Day Sports represented itself. Twin Peaks Plaza is a 143,203-square-foot shopping center anchored by Albertsons and Target. The lease brings the center to 98 percent occupied with one 1,200-square-foot suite available for lease.
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