Daily Business Report/Dec. 28, 2016
Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Giffords waves to a crowd in front of the littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords, named for her. Giffords was on the stage as Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, christened the ship at Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. The 419-foot ship will be homeported in San Diego. (Photo courtesy Austal USA/Released)
Navy Accepts Delivery of the Next
San Diego-Based Littoral Combat Ship
The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Gabrielle Giffords littoral combat ship during a ceremony Dec. 23 in Mobile, Ala. — preparatory to her being stationed in homeport San Diego.
Gabrielle Giffords is the ninth littoral combat ship (LCS) to be delivered to the Navy and the fifth of the Independence variant to join the fleet. The Independence variant is noted for its unique trimaran hull, ability to operate at high speeds and large flight deck size.
“We are pleased to receive the future USS Gabrielle Giffords into the LCS class,” said Capt. Harrison, LCS Squadron commander. “Gabrielle Giffords will join her sister littoral combat ships in their homeport of San Diego in 2017, commencing testing and training for deployed operations upon arrival.”
Delivery marks the official transfer of Gabrielle Giffords from the shipbuilder, an Austal USA-led team, to the Navy. It is the final milestone prior to commissioning, which is planned for 2017 in Galveston, Texas.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the life of the future USS Gabrielle Giffords, as transfer to the Navy occurs and her in-service counter begins,” said LCS Program Manager Capt. Tom Anderson. “I look forward to celebrating the commissioning of this fine ship, along with the ship’s namesake, this coming spring as she makes her way to her homeport of San Diego.”
Following commissioning, Gabrielle Giffords will be homeported in San Diego with her fellow ships USS Freedom, USS Independence, USS Fort Worth, USS Coronado, USS Jackson and USS Montgomery.
The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom variant and the Independence variant, designed and built by two industry teams. The Freedom variant team is led by Lockheed Martin, with the Independence variant team led by Austal USA.
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Kearny Mesa Office Complex
Sold to Private Family Trust
A 132,695-square-foot office complex on Roscoe Court in Kearny Mesa has been sold to a private family trust by Gramercy Property Trust. The sales price was not disclosed.
The entire complex — four single and multi-story buildings — is leased to Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions, which recently signed a new long-term lease that includes major capital improvements underway throughout the entire campus.
Developed between1983-1985, the campus was constructed to accommodate the region’s expanding office/flex tenant base in Kearny Mesa that includes many of San Diego’s leading and largest defense users that command large blocks of space and functional layout in a first class business environment.
Cushman & Wakefield represented Gramercy Property Trust in the sale.
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HomeStreet Bank Opens Branch in Point Loma
HomeStreet Bank has opened a new bank branch at 1110 Rosecrans St., Suite 101, in Point Loma.
“We are excited to serve the families and businesses of Point Loma,” said CEO Mark Mason.“Point Loma has a rich history supporting the U.S. Navy and the tuna fishing industry, and we look forward to supporting the community and the families that have made Point Loma an international attraction.
Raymond Simas will manage the new branch. He has more than 35 years of experience at San Diego financial institutions. Most recently, Simas served as the vice president and regional banking manager at San Diego Trust/Pacific Premier Bank.
Maria Gorete Correia will serve as the customer service supervisor and comes to HomeStreet with 32 years of experience.
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Todd Gloria Appointed Assistant
Majority Whip in State Assembly
Newly elected Assemblyman Todd Gloria has been appointed Assistant Majority Whip by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.
“I am honored to have this opportunity and I am truly humbled by the faith Speaker Rendon has placed in me to take a leadership role in the Legislature,” said Gloria in a statement. “When I was sworn-in as a state Assemblymember, I pledged to champion housing affordability and to improve our state’s crumbling transportation infrastructure. This new role gives me more opportunities to advance these priorities and others that will ultimately move California forward.”
The Assistant Majority Whip helps lead the majority caucus and works to advance the broader agenda of the Democratic caucus.
Gloria, a former San Diego councilman, represents the 78th Assembly District.
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10 California Laws That Take Effect in 2017
Times of San Diego
Each year brings hundreds of new laws to Californians, and 2017 is no exception.
Here are just 10 laws that will go into effect Sunday that you should know about.
1. Cell phones and driving
It will be illegal to hold and use any electronic devices including smart phones while driving. Drivers who want to use their smart phones must have it mounted on the dash and cannot use their hands. Any drivers caught breaking the law will see a fine of $20.
2. Car seats
Children younger than two years old will be required to sit in rear-facing car seats unless he or she weighs more than 40 pounds or 40 inches tall. That’s a change from the law that only required children under the age of eight to sit in a car seat or booster seat.
3. Higher wages
Minimum wage workers will see a slight increase in their paychecks beginning in 2017. The state’s minimum wage will increase from $10 to $10.50 per hour. By 2022, the minimum wage will go up to $15 per hour.
4. Right to try
Starting Sunday, patients who are terminally ill will have the right to use experimental drugs. The law will also protect physicians from disciplinary action if they recommend any experimental drugs to their patients.
5. Tougher gun laws
Buyers will soon have to go through a background check before purchasing ammunition. On top of that, gun owners who have magazines that hold more than 10 rounds will be required to surrender them to a law enforcement agency.
6. Sexual assaults
The controversial sentencing of former Stanford University student Brock Turner, who received a six-month jail sentence, prompted lawmakers to create a new law related to sexual assaults. Anyone who is found to sexually assault an unconscious person will not be eligible for probation.
7. Restrooms
Restrooms in California are going gender-neutral. A new law will require all single-toilet, public bathrooms to be gender neutral.
8. Protecting renters
Property owners will be prohibited from renting or showing any vacant homes or apartments they know to have a bug infestation.
9. Serving homeless students
Any students who are homeless will be able to use shower facilities at California’s community colleges under Assembly Bill 1995.
10. Rental cars
Beginning in 2017, rental car companies will be prohibited from loaning or renting any cars that are under a manufacturer’s recall.
