Daily Business Report — Dec. 22, 2011

Housing Projects Slated for Downtown and Santee

Holland Development and Real Estate Capital Partners have purchased a lot at 15th and Market streets in Downtown San Diego to build a mixed-use project of 20 apartments over ground-level retail. The site was purchased for $7.25 million from a partnership of Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund II and Lankford & Associates. Construction is expected to start in the third quarter of 2012. The sale was handled by Victor Krebs and Rob Morgan of Colliers International.

In Santee, a 44-unit affordable housing project is planned for a 1.26-acre site at 8820 Olive Lane and 9554-60 Via Zapador. The property was purchased for $1.4 million by Wakefield Housing and Development. The seller was the LMN Family Limited Partnership represented by Krebs and Morgan. Wakefield purchased the parcel as part of an assemblage with an adjoining city-owned lot. Rents in the project would be restricted to 50 percent and 60 percent of area median income. The developer plans to build 18 one-bedroom units, 12 two-bedroom units and 14 three-bedroom units, plus 67 parking spaces.

Mayoral Forum Set for Jan. 18

A candidates forum featuring candidates for mayor of San Diego will be staged Jan. 18 by the Urban Land Institute San Diego/Tijuana District Council. It will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the USD Joan Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice. Attendance is $25 per person. Candidates will include Carl DeMaio, Bonnie Dumanis, Nathan Fletcher and, tentatively, Bob Filner. They will field questions from the chairs of four local land use organizations. To register, call  (800) 321-5011 or visit ulisd.org.

Poll Finds Americans Favor Ban on Drivers Using Cell Phones

A national poll by Poll Position found that by a 49 percent to 44 percent margin Americans support a controversial National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) recommendation that vehicle drivers be banned from using cell phones and other personal electronic devices except in emergency situations. It’s unclear whether any states will implement the NTSB-suggested ban, which also applies to driver hands-free use of cell phones and PDAs. The elderly most favor the suggested ban, with 60 percent supporting it and 33 percent opposing it. Democrats support the recommended ban 55 percent-40 percent, while Republicans oppose it 50 percent-46 percent.  Independents support it 48 percent-41 percent.

New School of Architecture Names Materials Lab Manager

The NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NSAD) has named Erik Luhtala as the school’s new materials lab manager. The lab, previously called the Model Shop, is where students can use a variety of materials and machines to create physical models that demonstrate their architecture and design concepts. Luhtala comes to NSAD from the University of Arizona where he worked as a laboratory coordinator and earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture. NSAD’s materials lab includes a woodworking facility, a metal shop and an expanded digital facility. “The lab provides students with opportunities to communicate their concept and plans,” said Steve Altman, NSAD president. Some examples of projects produced in the lab include tablet cases built out of solid Zebrano wood, a thesis project that required the development of metallic movable joints and panels, and the adaptive reuse of cargo containers.

Union Bank Appoints Regional Executive

Lawrence Henry, senior vice president of Union Bank, has been promoted to regional executive for the San Diego, Coachella Valley and Riverside County regions. He is based in San Diego. A 17-year industry veteran, Henry joined Union Bank in 2009, where he most recently served as a senior vice president and market president of the Orange County and Inland Empire divisions. Prior to Union Bank, Henry was a national bank cross-sell manager for Countrywide Financial Services. He also worked for Wells Fargo Bank as a district manager in San Diego

METRO Movers to Watch

SD Metro is soliciting nominations for our annual Metro Movers to Watch awards, which will be published in January. Send your nominations to Rebeca Page at rebecapage@sandiegometro.com. Nominate a man or woman you believe will make outstanding contributions in San Diego County during the new year. Nominations will close on Dec. 28.