SD METRO identified 20 “Women Who Rock” in our June publication. Now it’s the men’s turn. Send us your nomination for a man — no age requirement — who you believe has made San Diego a better place to live or to do business, or who has made significant contributions to his industry or community. Nominees can be in the private or public sector, own or work for a for-profit firm or a nonprofit. Of course you can nominate more than one person, but each one must be submitted individually. You’ll find a nomination form on our Website (sandiegometro.com). Deadline is Oct. 3. You’ll see the results in mid-October.
Miramar College Aviation Center to be Expanded
Aviation Center rendering
Groundbreaking ceremonies were scheduled for today for the modernization and expansion of the historic Aviation Center at San Diego Miramar College. Funds are from Propositions S and N. The original facility, built in 1971, will undergo a retrofit of existing classrooms and lab spaces and will include new classrooms for a total of 15,300 square feet. The $10.2 million project is on track to obtain a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2012.
It was in the fall of 1971 that Miramar College expanded its mission from exclusively providing public safety training to serving the aviation industry. Miramar College’s aviation maintenance technology program — approved by the FAA — would become the primary supplier of trained technicians for the next 15 years for San Diego-based Pacific Southwest Airlines. In 1991, the aviation ground school and operations program moved from San Diego Mesa College to Miramar College. Joseph Wong Design Associates is the architect for the modernization. Legacy Building Services is the construction manager. The campus project manager is James Bray of Garcon Inc.
Old Barrio Logan Bakery Plant to Get New Life
Barrio Logan bakery plant building
James Brown, principal of Public Architecture, and a partner, has purchased the old bakery plant at 1955 Julian Ave. in San Diego with the intention of creating housing and office space in the structure and adding a new housing addition behind the plant. Interstate Brands Corp., known for its Wonder Bread and Twinkies products, opened the plant in the 1930s. For years the smell of fresh baked bread covered much of Barrio Logan. The company grew to 30 plants, with more than 600 stores, 20,000 employees and almost $3 billion in annual sales. In recent years, the company fell on hard times because of the rising cost of sugar and flour paired with increased fuel costs. Interstate was forced to file bankruptcy protection in 2009 and closed the plant in Barrio Logan that same year. Brown and his partner purchased the building for $1.1 million. It sits on 1.52 acres and contains more than 40,000 square feet of indoor space. Under the current zoning, 26 residential units are permitted.
Cubic Receives $49 Million Marine Corps Contract
Cubic Defense Applications, a unit of Cubic Corp., has been awarded a $49 million contract from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command to supply an advanced Instrumented-Tactical Engagement Simulation System. Cubic will provide a turn-key system that replicates the stresses and threats of actual combat. The system will be used in Marine force-on-force and force-on-target training exercises, including indoor and outdoor military operations in urban terrain training at multiple locations in the U.S. and abroad. “This system will provide the U.S. Marine Corps an exceptional training environment using proven components,” said Ray Barker, executive vice president of Cubic Defense Applications. “Our system will support small unit training, and is capable of integrating multiple units for combined arms training at higher echelons.”
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. 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.
