Daily Business Report-June 3, 2014
A vintage Buick is among the first to cross at the reopening of the deck on the Cabrillo Bridge in Balboa Park. (Photo/Christopher Maue/KPBS)
Cabrillo Bridge Reopens After Five-Month Shutdown
The century-old Cabrillo Bridge in Balboa Park reopened to motor vehicles Monday following a five-month shutdown for maintenance. The landmark overpass of state Route 163 had been closed to vehicles since the beginning of the year for a seismic retrofit project.
“This bridge will last for another hundred years, for generations of San Diegans to enjoy,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said at a midday ceremony that took place shortly before cars and trucks were allowed through.
The project by Caltrans to strengthen the bridge will continue through the fall, but traffic is now allowed to cross the roadway and enter Balboa Park. The bridge had been open only to pedestrians and bicyclists.
Workers are reinforcing the bridge’s seven pedestals with an integrated mesh of steel reinforcements that will make it more resilient during an earthquake.
The bridge was first built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the centennial of which will be commemorated next year. — City News Service
Low Voter Turnout Projected for Today’s Election
The National University System Institute for Policy Research projects unusually low voter turnout in San Diego County for today’s gubernatorial primary election. Using election data from the Registrar of Voters, the institute evaluated the absentee ballots received for the election.
Overall, the institute found that:
• Voter turnout will reach a historic low. Absentee ballot returns have been very slow this election. Due to local voter fatigue and low-profile contests, the institute projects total voter turnout to be in the range of 18-23 percent.
• Citywide, Democratic voters lead the absentee ballot count. While Republican ballots have a higher return rate, more Democratic ballots have been cast than GOP ballots.
• The Republican Party leads the early ballot count in two key City Council races. Higher GOP voter turnout in Districts 2 and 6 buoys the electoral prospects of San Diego City Councilwoman Lorie Zapf in District 2 and candidate Chris Cate in District 6.
• More than 30,000 ballots will be cast on Election Day. Approximately 20-30 percent of ballots will be cast at polling locations. Combined with absentee ballots turned in to polling locations today, ballot tally will be more than 30,000.
“Voter fatigue is negatively impacting election turnout in San Diego,” said Vince Vasquez, author of the report. “We anticipate campaigns will be working up to the last hour, making phone calls and arrangements to get identified supporters to turn out to the polls and cast their ballots.”
National University Names New Provost
Debra Bean, a leader in higher education administration, has been named provost of National University. Bean has more than a decade of experience in higher education administration and a background in developing programs aimed at improving communities through academic initiatives and other nonprofit causes.
Bean played a key role as associate provost during the regional accreditation recertification that resulted in a successful nine-year renewal from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission. She also led campus wide academic efforts for the university’s five-year strategic plan, “NU2015,” which sets the bar for continued standards of excellence.
Prior to joining National University, Bean served as associate dean at the Columbia College, School of Media Arts, leading assessment initiatives and other priority administrative projects. She has held management positions in the fields of media, strategic marketing and online brand development for clients such as American Airlines, msnbc.com, Nike, The Chicago Tribune, and the University of Chicago.
Toni Atkins Bill Offers Tax Credits
For Renovating Historic Buildings
A bill designed to stimulate redevelopment of historic structures in California passed the state Assembly on a unanimous 75-0 vote and is headed to the state Senate for consideration.
Assembly Bill 1999, authored by Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), will offer a 25 percent tax credit for most renovations of registered historic buildings and a 30 percent tax credit for buildings meeting certain criteria.
“California is one of the few states to not provide an incentive for the preservation of our historic buildings,” Atkins said. “A state tax credit for this purpose would help stimulate local economies, revitalize downtown areas and communities, promote and increase the supply of affordable housing, encourage property maintenance and rehabilitation, and leverage use of the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
“AB 1999 helps communities adjust to the phase-out of redevelopment dollars and stimulates public and private investment, all while building civic pride as we celebrate our heritage and preserve California’s past.”
The legislation is aimed at properties on or eligible for the state or Federal Register of Historic Places. It is supported by the California Preservation Foundation and the California Council of the American Institute of Architects, among other preservation and business organizations..
AB 1999 now moves to the state Senate for consideration.
Atkins represents the 78th Assembly District, which includes downtown San Diego and stretches along the coast from the Mexican border to Solana Beach.
— Times of San Diego
Conrad Prebys Gives Salk $25 Million — Its Largest Gift Ever
San Diego philanthropist Conrad T. Prebys has given $25 million to the Salk Institute to support cutting-edge biological research on a wide range of diseases, the institute announced Monday. Salk said the gift, the single largest to its endowment, will help the institution’s researchers advance basic science and discover the next generation of breakthrough medical therapies.
In honor of Prebys’ generosity, the Salk Institute auditorium, which regularly hosts talks by some of the most prominent scientists in the world, will be named the Conrad T. Prebys Auditorium.
“The scientists at Salk are diving deep into understanding how our bodies operate at the molecular level and what happens when we get sick,” said Prebys, a real estate developer and long-time supporter of San Diego institutions. “It is vital work that must be done before we can really conquer disease.
Prebys has long been a supporter of the Salk Institute and previously served on the institute’s board of trustees.
Environmental Science Associates Moves Downtown
Environmental Science Associates, an environmental consulting firm, has moved its San Diego office from 9191 Towne Centre Drive to Downtown San Diego at 550 West C St., Suite 750. Nearly 20 planners, scientists, biologists, engineers, and cultural resources specialists will occupy 6,000 square feet of class A office space.
“We’re excited to be in Downtown San Diego in a LEED-Certified Gold, Energy Star-rated building,” said Bobbette Biddulph, Southern California regional director.
N.N. Jaeschke Names Executive V.P.
Debbie Griffiths, has been appointed executive vice president of community management services for N.N. Jaeschke Inc. Griffiths’ career in the Common Interest Development industry began in 2000. Her experience includes managing more than 30 communities representing over 7,000 units. She has served in a supervisory role, overseeing administrative and onsite community association managers and vendors, handled corporate training and communication, implemented corporate initiatives, and created newsletters and e-mail blasts. Griffiths earned a bachelor’s degree from Biola University.
N.N. Jaeschke is a community management and property services firm.
Women Who Impact Correction
Arlene Lieberman was named one of SD METRO’s Women Who Impact San Diego 2014, but a wrong photo was attached to her biography. We present the corrected version:
Arlene Lieberman is a principal at Barney & Barney, one of the nation’s largest and longest standing insurance brokerages. She joined the firm in 1997 and through hard work and dedication was asked to join the ownership group in only five years. Her success in a typically male-dominated industry is nothing short of extraordinary. As a practice group leader, she is responsible for the management of 20 Barney & Barney associates. She is also responsible for the development and design of employee benefit packages for large national and international employer groups. She works tirelessly to establish strategic short- and long-term objectives to help her clients control benefit costs and has even implemented numerous consumer-driven models supported by Health and Productivity Wellness Programs to support her strategy. She is committed to giving back to the community and strives to incorporate volunteerism and charitable acts into her professional and personal life. She is actively involved with Walden Family Services, a private, San Diego-based nonprofit that provides quality care to abused and neglected children.
Delta Airlines Flights to L.A. Moving to Terminal 2
Delta Airlines flights from San Diego to Los Angeles International Airport will no longer operate out of the Commuter Terminal at Lindbergh Field, effective on Thursday, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority announced. The service will join all other Delta departures at Terminal 2 at the airport. The change will consolidate all Delta flight operations to one terminal, helping improve airline efficiency and the customer experience, the agency said. Signage will be posted to help direct customers flying on Delta flights to the correct terminal. Customers who arrive at the Commuter Terminal for a Delta flight may use the free Airport Loop shuttle bus for transportation between terminals. Additional airline staff will also be onsite to assist customers throughout the transition.
Building Housing Fiesta Market is Sold
The North Park building housing the Fiesta Market and three other tenants at 3015-3021 Adams Ave. has been sold for $1.7 million. Cushman & Wakefield did not identify the buyer. The seller was Malva Properties LLC, represented by Pacific Coast Commercial. The 6,500-square-foot property was built in the early 1900s.
Book Signing for ‘We’ll Always Have Paris’
Jennifer Coburn, San Diego author of “We’ll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter Memoir,” will host a book signing party Saturday, June 7, from 8 to 10 p.m. at Art Produce Garden, 3139 University Ave., in North Park.
