Daily Business Report — Dec. 7, 2012
San Diego Facing Several Special Elections
The election of state Sen. Juan Vargas to Congress has set off a domino effect in his district. KPBS reports. Current Assemblyman Ben Huseo has announced he’ll run for Vargas’ state Senate seat. And labor leader Lorena Gonzalez says she’ll run or Hueso’s Assembly seat if it winds up empty. At the same time, San Diego Councilman Tony Young has announced he’s resigning to take over the local Red Cross, so his seat needs to be filled. San Diego City Clerk Elizabeth Maland says there was a possibility the elections to replace Young and Vargas could have been held at the same time. But she says now it doesn’t look like the timing will work out. “The City Council would probably not be able to think about consolidating,” she said, “since our charter states that the legislative body needs to call and hold the special election to fill that vacancy of, in this case, Councilmember Young, within 90 of the vacancy.” Maland said Young would likely resign at the end of December, which means an election would need to be held in March. The governor will declare a special election for Vargas’ seat, which Maland said would likely happen in May. An election simply to replace Young could cost San Diego about $400,000.
32-Year Navy Veteran Chosen to Lead
California Center for Sustainable Energy
Retired Rear Adm. Len Hering, a 32-year Navy veteran with expertise in military and civilian sustainability, has been named executive director of the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) in San Diego. Hering, a Chula Vista resident, succeeds Irene Stillings, who was head of the organization from 2002 to this year. “Len Hering is an excellent choice to lead CCSE because of his broad experience and leadership role in planning and implementing a wide range of sustainable initiatives in both the government and private sectors,” said Stillings. While in the Navy, Lering was noted as one of its top experts in base operations and facility support with an emphasis on sustainability and the environment. He received several state, local and federal awards for efforts ensuring the Navy’s environmental responsibilities with fiscally sound practices, including the creation of the Federal Sustainability Network in the Pacific Northwest and Southern California.
San Diego North Economic Development Council
Selects Long Beach Redevelopment Leader as CEO
The San Diego North Economic Development Council has appointed Long Beach redevelopment leader Carl Morgan as its CEO. He replaces Rick Gittings, who was named interim president and CEO in April. Morgan has more than 26 years of economic development and redevelopment experience. He managed the Long Beach Downtown Redevelopment Project Area, where he and his team were responsible for the planning and implementation of major development projects, the promenade streetscape improvement project, establishment of a downtown small business development center and an Art Exchange. He also served as the city’s economic development officer. Before Long Beach, he was economic development director for the cities of Glendora and Loma Linda.
C.W. McGrath Family Sheds 2 East County Quarries
The C.W. McGrath family has sold two San Diego County quarries — in El Cajon and Lakeside — which it has owned and operated since the 1940s. The sales price was not disclosed. The McGrath family was represented in both transactions by Tom Olson of the Douglas Wilson Companies. The buyer was JJB Silverhawk LP, an entity closely related to Escondido-based Superior Ready Mix LP. The larger quarry is a 64.75-acre granite pit located on Jamacha Road in El Cajon and owned by McGrath Jamacha Road LLC. The property will continue to be mined for crushed rock, rip rap, aggregate base and manufactured sand. Extensive operating equipment including rolling stock and processing plants were included in the sale. The smaller quarry is a 21.82-acre sand mine located on Willow Road in Lakeside and owned by McGrath Willow LLC. The property will be mined for sand products.
USD Hosts 13th Annual Residential
Real Estate Conference on Campus
David Crowe, chief economist and vice president of the National Association of Home Builders, will be the keynote speaker for the Dec. 12 Residential Real Estate Conference hosted by the University of San Diego’s Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate. “Residential Real Estate Conference: Outlook 2013” will be from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Crowe will speak on “The Housing Recovery: Here to Stay?” The program also will include a panel of residential real estate professionals who will address the topic, “What’s in Store for Residential Real Estate in 2013?” Panelists include: Paul Barnes, president of the San Diego division of Shea Homes; Marty Conrad, regional vice president of the San Diego region of Coldwell Banker Southern California; and Vince Kasperick, founder and president of AimLoan.com. Registration for the event, which includes breakfast, is $60 for an individual or $500 for 10 reserved seats. To register, go to www.sandiego.edu/outlook.
Peters Names Capitol Hill Veteran as Chief of Staff
Incoming Rep. Scott Peters(D-San Diego), named a Capitol Hill veteran as his chief of staff Thursday, and tabbed his campaign spokeswoman to lead his district office, City News Service reports. Michelle Dorothy, the chief of staff selection, holds the same position for Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Penn. Before going to the nation’s capital, the native of Indiana spent 10 years in the telecommunications and software industries, where she was responsible for the design and implementation of marketing strategies for multi-million-dollar products. “Michelle has solid congressional experience and a meaningful private sector background,” Peters said. Peters will take office in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 3. MaryAnne Pintar, Peters’ campaign communications director and his chief of staff when he was president of the San Diego City Council, will be his district director. Pintar formerly was chief of staff to ex-Mayor Susan Golding.
Free Rental Owner Education Seminar
The San Diego County Housing Authority is offering a free Rental Owner Education Seminar on Jan. 16, 2013. Topics include Section 8 Program Overview, Waiting List Preferences, Housing Quality Standards, Family Responsibilities, Landlord Responsibilities, and Section 8 Lease-up process. The Seminar will be held at 10 a.m., with registration at 9:30 a.m., at the offices of the Housing Authority, 3989 Ruffin R0ad, San Diego. Rental Owners should contact Felecia Mack at felecia.mack@sdcounty.ca.gov to confirm attendance.
City Heights Retail Village Sold for $35.6 Million
New York-based Kimco Realty Corp. announced the acquisition of City Heights Retail Village in San Diego for $35.6 million, including the assumption of $20 million of mortgage debt. City Heights Retail Village is a 99 percent occupied, 109,000-square-foot grocery-anchored shopping center. Developed in 2001, the property is anchored by a 66,000-square-foot Albertsons along with other national retailers including Starbucks, Chase Bank, Scripps Wellness Center, O’Reilly Auto Parts and McDonalds.
L’Auberge Del Mar Sold for $76.9 Million
LaSalle Hotel Properties in Maryland today announced the acquisition of L’Auberge Del Mar in Del Mar for $76.9 million. The 120-room luxury resort is located at 1540 Camino Del Mar, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. L’Auberge Del Mar is set on 4.5 acres. The property opened in 1989. In 2009, the property underwent an extensive renovation totaling $25.8 million. The project included a full guestroom renovation, lobby upgrade and improvements of the meeting space, swimming pools and food and beverage outlets.
Movers & Shakers
We’re seeking nominees for our sixth annual Metro Movers awards. Please submit your nominations by Dec. 20 to Rebeca Page at rebecapage@sandiegometro.com or fax to her at (858) 759-5755 or mail to SD METRO at P.O. Box 3679, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.
The Daily Business Report is produced by SD METRO. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865. manny@sandiegometro.com.
