Daily Business Report-Oct. 10, 2016
Conceptual image shows the proposed Downtown stadium on the right and Petco Park on left. (Chargers Photo)
Poll Shows Chargers Stadium
Measure Trailing Badly
By City News Service
The ballot measure that would set up the framework for construction of a football stadium and convention center annex in Downtown San Diego trailed badly in a poll released Friday — almost one month before the election.
Only 36 percent of 572 likely voters in the SurveyUSA poll taken between Tuesday and Thursday said they would certainly vote for Measure C. Because the proposal would raise the city of San Diego’s hotel room tax rate to help fund the project, it needs support from two-thirds of voters to pass.
According to the poll — taken on behalf of 10News and The San Diego Union-Tribune — 23 percent of respondents were unsure. If all were to cast their votes for Measure C, the “yes” side would still come up 7 percent points short of approval.
Another 41 percent of respondents said they would certainly vote against the measure. The poll has a margin of error of 4.2 percent.
Support for Measure C has declined since the last SurveyUSA poll, released Aug. 26. Then, the Chargers plans had the backing of 39 percent of respondents, with 36 against. A July check of public opinion showed 30 percent in favor and 40 percent against.
The release of the poll came five days after Mayor Kevin Faulconer endorsed Measure C. The mayor said he was taking a long-term view of the stadium issue and not just focusing on the November election. He said his backing came after Chargers Chairman Dean Spanos agreed to a series of protections for the city.
Majorities said neither Faulconer’s endorsement nor the Chargers’ on-field performance this season would make a difference in the way they vote.
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San Diego Apartment Rents
Forecast to Rise 4.7 Percent in 2017
Times of San Diego
Apartment rents in San Diego are forecast to rise 4.7 percent in 2017, a increase that will be among the top 10 nationwide.
The online real estate service Zillow reported Friday that metropolitan areas in the West will continue to see the biggest increases in rents as job opportunities attract Millennials and new construction fails to keep pace.
Seattle leads the forecast with a 7.2 percent projected increase, but even San Diego’s 4.7 percent rise will be three times the national average of 1.7 percent, according to Zillow.
“High rent growth in these markets is being driven by high demand and low supply,” said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Svenja Gudell. “We have more renters today than in the past and most newly formed households are renter households.”
“This taken together with a lack of new rental construction at less expensive price points has been a recipe for rising rents,” she explained.
Here are the 10 metro areas with the highest forecast increase in rents next year:
Seattle – 7.2 percent
Portland – 6.0 percent
Denver – 5.9 percent
Cincinnati – 5.2 percent
San Francisco – 4.9 percent
Los Angeles – 4.8 percent
Sacramento – 4.7 percent
San Diego – 4.7 percent
Phoenix – 4.6 percent
San Jose – 4.5 percent
Gudell said there is some good news on the horizon for renters in the West.
“Instead of the 10 percent rental appreciation we’ve been seeing in some places, expect growth more along the lines of 4 to 7 percent,” she said. “This is still high, but will hopefully give renters some relief.”
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San Diego Factories in Focus
On National Manufacturing Day
Times of San Diego
San Diego manufacturing companies on Friday showed off a vibrant local sector that provides more than 108,000 high-paying jobs as part of National Manufacturing Day.
More than 50 local companies opened their doors to the public to showcase the products and innovations made in San Diego. The list included guitars, dune buggies, furniture, ship models and brewer’s yeast.
With 3,000 manufacturing companies, San Diego is home to the largest manufacturing day celebration in California, and the day included a bi-national component with neighboring Tijuana.
The event is an effort to change the public image of manufacturing and address a nationwide shortage of skilled labor.
The United States accounts for 30 percent of all global manufacturing by value, compared to only 10 percent by China, according to Chris Kuehl, managing partner at Armada Corporate Intelligence.
“Manufacturing Day truly dispels old, negative myths about manufacturing and highlights the shift from a labor-intense environment to one of high-tech, robotics and computers,” said Kuehl. “It also provides opportunities to communicate how manufacturing is a big part of GDP and our economy.”
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Gary and Mary West Hold Grand
Opening for Senior Dental Center
Philanthropists Gary and Mary West held the grand opening of the Gary and Mary West Senior Dental Center last week, a nonprofit community dental center dedicated to serving low-income seniors in San Diego.
The Senior Dental Center links high-quality and affordable oral health care with a suite of nutrition, case management and wellness services.
“Poor oral health care is a big problem for seniors in our community and all across the country. It’s a hidden and growing epidemic that requires great attention and urgent action,” said Gary West, who established the Gary and Mary West Foundation and West Health with his wife, Mary. “We are seeing an incredible need for dental services from our seniors, some of whom haven’t seen a dentist in decades, because they simply couldn’t afford it or couldn’t find a dentist who would see them. If we don’t do something to improve access for seniors, more and more older Americans will seek treatment in emergency rooms rather than in dental offices or clinics.”
The new Senior Dental Center takes a comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing the dental needs of seniors, with an emphasis on oral health education and preventive care. Every patient receives a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) facilitated by a senior care navigator who coordinates their health, dental and social support needs.
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County Animal Services to Open on Sundays
As part of a 90-day pilot project, County Animal Services will open its three regional shelters to the public on Sundays, starting Oct. 23.
Currently, the County shelters are open Tuesday through Saturday. The pilot project means people looking for a new furry, family member can visit, get to know and adopt available animals six days a week, including both weekend days.
Once the trial period ends on Sunday, Jan. 22, the results will be evaluated to see if the change should be made permanent. If successful, Animal Services would seek the funding to make a six-day week permanent when the next fiscal year starts in July 2017.
During the pilot, the shelters will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. They’ll be closed on Mondays and holidays.
All of the dogs, cats and rabbits that are adopted from County Animal Services are spayed and neutered before leaving the shelter. They’re also microchipped, given current vaccinations and flea control, plus a free veterinary exam within the first 10 days.
For more information, contact County Animal Services at (619) 767-2675 or visit sddac.com.
