Daily Business Report — Sept. 19, 2011
Contract Awarded for New Women’s Detention Facility
34 buildings will be built across 45 acres in Santee
The county of San Diego has awarded Balfour Beatty/Barnhart the first phase of a two-phase contract for design-build services to construct the new $221.5-million San Diego County Women’s Detention Facility in Santee. The joint venture is a partnership between Balfour Beatty Construction and Barnhart Balfour Beatty.
The 1,216-bed facility will replace the 1960s-era Las Colinas Detention Facility and will comprise 34 buildings across 45 acres. The project will be built on existing and adjacent Las Colinas properties and as new facilities are constructed the old buildings will be demolished.
Several design innovations will be used, including clusters of smaller-scale housing units that are grouped according to detention levels that support the varying security classifications of the inmate population. The layout will combine generous use of open space and landscaping amenities to create a campus-like environment. The development will include dining, medical, administrative and security facilities, buildings for inmate industries, a rehabilitation and learning resource center, and a new entrance with expanded parking for staff and visitors.
The design team includes executive architect Kaplan McLaughlin Diaz (KMD) of San Francisco and associate architect HMC of San Diego. The project will incorporate green building techniques and materials to target LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. “Significant energy cost savings will be achieved with on-site renewable energy from various design and construction techniques,” said Steve Wagner of KMD.
Eric Stenman, president of Barnhart Balfour Beatty, said the four-year construction project will create an estimated 700 jobs and require the services of more than 60 local subcontractors. Pre-construction work is to start this month with final completion in October 2015.
San Diego County Job Market
Employment up by 400 jobs over the month and 13,400 over the year
San Diego County’s unemployment rate in August was 10.2 percent, down from a revised 10.6 percent in July and below the year-ago estimate of 10.7 percent, the state Employment Development Department reported. This compares with an unadjusted unemployment rate of 11.9 percent for California and 9.1 percent for the nation during the same period.
Between July 2011 and August 2011:
Total nonfarm employment increased from 1,235,300 to 1,235,500, a gain of 200 jobs. Agricultural employment gained 200 jobs, or 2.1 percent.
• Leisure and hospitality reported the greatest month-over gain, adding 3,400 jobs. Accommodation and food services (up 3,200) accounted for roughly 94 percent of the job growth in this sector, primarily from food services and drinking places (up 3,000). Arts, entertainment, and recreation increased by 200 jobs.
• Trade, transportation, and utilities increased by 1,200 jobs, mainly from wholesale trade (up 800). Retail trade added 400 jobs, while transportation, warehousing, and utilities recorded no change in employment levels over the month.
• Government posted the greatest month-over decline, down 2,600 jobs. Local government (down 2,400) contributed to more than 90 percent of the employment decrease, mostly from seasonal job losses in local government education (down 2,000). Federal government and state government receded by 100 jobs each.
Between August 2010 and August 2011:
Total nonfarm employment gained 13,500 jobs, or 1.1 percent. Agricultural employment declined by 100 jobs, or 1.0 percent.
• Leisure and hospitality reported the greatest year-over gain, adding 8,600 jobs.
Accommodation and food services (up 8,100) accounted for roughly 94 percent of the
job growth in this industry, mainly from food services and drinking places (up 7,300). Arts, entertainment, and recreation increased by 500 jobs.
• Five other industry sectors also recorded employment growth over the year, but the most significant employment gains came from professional and business services (up 5,400), educational and health services (up 5,300), and trade, transportation, and utilities (up 2,200).
• Government posted the greatest year-over decline, down 5,600 jobs. Employment growth in state government (up 400) offset overall job declines in this sector. Local government lost 5,700 jobs; all from seasonal job losses in local government education. Federal government contracted by 300 jobs.
Meals-on-Wheels Receives $50,000 Grant
New menu model to be created
Meals-on-Wheels Greater San Diego Inc. has received a $50,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation and Meals on Wheels Association of America to help fight senior hunger. The money will be used to create a new menu model that will be replicated by other Meals on Wheels agencies in the country.The model, “Embracing the Senior Palate,” will enhance the quality and variety of menu options to meet the future needs of an ever-growing, ethnically diverse, preference-driven senior population. The local agency’s first new menu offering will be the addition of a “Healthy Latin Cuisine.” The menu will be created by the local agency’s snutritionist to ensure that all meals adhere to senior nutritional requirements within the mix of existing weekly menus. A community outreach specialist will be hired to inform the Hispanic community about the new menu offering.
Building Industry Association Presents Icon Awards
Individuals honored for work in the industry
Vanessa Linn and Jasen Torbett of Shea Homes San Diego have won Icon Awards from the San Diego Building Industry Association — recognition for their work in the industry. Linn was named Sales and Marketing Manager of the Year and Torbett was named Best Customer Service Representative. Linn has 20 years of experience in new home sales and marketing. Her current workload includes management of sales agents at 10 new home neighborhoods throughout San Diego County. Linn is currently serving as president of the Sales & Marketing Council of the BIA. Torbett has been providing customer service to Shea Homes customers since 2000. He also is the company’s safety and risk manager.
Tyler Sandstrom of New Pointe Communities Inc. received the Rookie of the Year Award, which recognizes an individual who has been in the building industry less than five years and has accomplished exceptional achievements in their area of expertise. Sandstrom is project manager at New Pointe Communities.
Tom Perez of Engineering Partners Inc. was named Industry Professional of the Year. The award recognizes an outstanding member of the industry and community, as evidenced by volunteer efforts, public outreach, and/or extraordinary activities on behalf of the BIA. Perez is one of BIA’s top fundraisers over the past 18 months.
Project Concern Appoints Director for Zambia Operations
Brad Fuller tapped for HIV/AIDs interventions
San Diego-based Project Concern International (PCI) has appointed Brad Fuller as country director of PCI Zambia, where he will oversee a 21-member staff and be responsible for all PCI operations in the country. The PCI Zambia program focuses on HIV/AIDS interventions, including prevention, counseling and testing, assistance to orphans and vulnerable children, and helping the country build the infrastructure it needs for a long-term response to the epidemic. According to UNAIDS, over 10 percent of Zambia’s population is living with HIV, and more than 700,000 children have been orphaned from the disease. Before joining the PCI team, Fuller embarked on 12 years of professional experience in public health, including eight years of field work in Zambia where he gained experience in field research. He was appointed the director of research for the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia. While living in Lusaka, Zambia, Fuller also coordinated extensive National Institutes of Health-funded research on discordant couples.
Birthstones at the Airport
Airport Authority and GIA unveil gems, jewels and minerals
The Airport Authority and the Gemological Institute of America have officially opened the “GIA Celebrates Birthstones” exhibit at San Diego International Airport. The exhibit contains more than 250 gems, minerals and jewelry from around the world.
The exhibit features lavish displays showcasing birthstones for each month of the year as well as an enormous 22,000-carat faceted quartz and a replica of the jeweled Victoria’s Secret Bra. The exhibit will be on display through Feb. 20, 2012, and is located in Terminal 2 West, post-security.
“In selecting a focus for this display, we wanted to be relevant and appealing to all travelers from around the globe,” said Donna Baker, GIA president and CEO. “Since everyone has a birthstone, it was the perfect choice.”
“GIA Celebrates Birthstones” is part of the San Diego International Airport Art Program, which was established in 2006 to engage travelers in innovative and memorable experiences and welcoming people to the airport and region. The program features temporary and rotating exhibits, performing arts and public art.
The exhibit includes a replica of the jeweled Victoria’s Secret Bra and amethyst birthstones (pictured).
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of small business workshops
For more information, call (619) 557-7272 or visit score-sandiego.org.
• Sept. 20 California Sales and Use Tax Basics 1 to 3 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• Sept. 21 Business Plan 201: How to Write a Winning Business Plan 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $99, $109 at the door).
• Sept. 22 How to Start a Nonprofit 9 to 11:30 a.m. at The San Diego Foundation in Point Loma (2508 Historic Decatur Rd., #200, San Diego 92106; pre-paid registration $39, $49 at the door).
• Sept. 23 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).
• Sept. 27 Marketing and Contracting with State and Local Governments 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• Sept. 29 Tax Considerations for Small Business 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at SCORE Entrepreneur Center (550 West C St., #550, San Diego 92101; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• Sept. 30 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).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865.
