Daily Business Report — July 1, 2011
City Launches ‘Toilet to Tap’ Water Purification Study
The city of San Diego has launched a year-long testing period to examine the feasibility of treating wastewater to drinking water standards. To perform the pilot study, the city built a test facility at the North City Reclamation Plant where the city purifies wastewater into “reclaimed” water that is used for landscaping and other non-drinking purposes. According to city officials, the new facility will purify this water even further, so clean it could be safe enough to drink. Currently, the facility will pump the finished product back into the reclaimed water system for industrial use. This year-long testing of one million gallons a day will provide scientific data that will help determine whether the process is clean and safe.
If the results of the pilot project are approved by the California Department of Public Health, the City Council will vote whether to pursue wastewater recycling to augment San Diego’s water supply. Should the council approve, a full-scale advanced water purification facility would be built adjacent to the North City Water Reclamation Plant, A 23-mile pipeline also would be built to transport the purified water to the San Vicente Reservoir, where it would blend with the existing water there and get treated once again before going into San Diego homes. The Water Reliability Coalition, a group of organizations and businesses, has endorsed the project. “The coalition members support investment in the water purification pilot project because it is anticipated to result in a local, drought-proof water supply source that will help decrease the city’s reliance on expensive, imported water,” said coalition co-chair Lani Lutar of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association.
Mission Bay and National City Hotels Are Sold
The Holiday Inn Express Mission Bay and the Comfort Inn National City have been sold to separate buyers. Local hotel owner RNM Hospitality purchased the Holiday Inn Express Mission Bay. Excel Hotel Group was the buyer for the Comfort Inn National City. Holliday Fenoglio Fowler (HFF) closed both deals. The 87-room Holiday Inn Express Mission Bay is located at 4610 De Soto Street adjacent to Interstate 5 and close to Sea World, Mission Bay and Pacific Beach. Renovated in 2010, the property offers guests an outdoor pool, outdoor hot tub, business center, fitness room and laundry facility. Parking is available in a two-story, 78-space garage.
The 91-room Comfort Inn National City was renovated in 1997 and features an outdoor heated pool with hot tub and 800 square feet of meeting space. The select service hotel is located at 1645 East Plaza Boulevard close to the U.S. Naval Station, Downtown San Diego and the San Diego Bayfront and Marina in the southeastern area of the city. HFF marketed both properties on behalf of C-III Asset Management LLC, the special servicer for the selling trusts. The HFF team was led by managing director Holden Lim and director Zack Holderman.
Point Loma Senior Gets Gubernatorial Appointment
Caitlin Snell, 17, an incoming senior at Point Loma High School, has been appointed to the state Board of Education by Gov. Brown. Snell serves as the vice chair for the San Diego Youth Commission and serves as president of her school’s chapter of the national Student2Student Mentoring Program. She is a member of the California Scholarship Federation, the Urban League of San Diego County’s Golden Pyramid Scholars and Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Snell is not yet registered.
MiresBall Receives Design Recognition
Brand design firm MiresBall has been recognized by the American Association of Museums for its design work for the Lux Art Institute in Encinitas. MiresBall and Lux were awarded a first place prize and an honorable mention in the category of institutions with budgets of less than $750,000 in the 2011 AAM Publications Design Competition. The first place award was given for quarterly newsletters, and the honorable mention awarded for fundraising/membership materials. This marks the ninth year MiresBall’s work for Lux has been recognized by the AAM.
Marcus & Millichap Names Regional Manager
Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services has named John Vorsheck regional manager of the firm’s San Diego office. Vorsheck began his career with Marcus & Millichap in November 2006 as the sales manager of the Newport Beach office. He was promoted to regional manager of the Las Vegas office in April 2007 and joined the sales force in Las Vegas in April 2010. He transferred to the Long Beach office in August 2010. Prior to returning to Marcus & Millichap, Vorsheck was a multi-family broker at another commercial real estate brokerage firm. He was also involved in the development of a start-up full-service commercial real estate firm, from investment brokerage to management, consulting and acquisition. Vorsheck is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops. Fees range from $29 to $109, depending on the program. To register online, visit score-sandiego.org. For more information, call (619) 557-7272.
• July 6 – Business Plan 101: How to Develop Your Best Competitive Advantage – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University in Carlsbad (705 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad 92011; pre-paid registration $79, $89 at the door)
• July 7 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• July 8 – Professional Selling: Increase Your Business Sales Now! – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• July 8 – Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• July 11 – Business Basics 101 – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; no charge – please pre-register).
• July 12 – Legal Issues for Small Business: Contracts and Leases – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• July 13 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• July 15 – Women’s Networking Breakfast and Exhibits – 8 to 11 a.m. at Morgan Run Resort & Club in Rancho Santa Fe (5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe 92091; attendees: $30 by July 12, $40 after; exhibitors: $80 by July 12, $90 after).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865.