Daily Business Report-Oct. 26, 2017
Contactless turnstiles to be used once the new system is implemented. They are similar to London and other cities that currently use them.
Cubic Wins $540M Contract to Replace Iconic
MetroCard with New Fare Payment System
Cubic Transportation Systems, the business division of Cubic Corporation, has been selected by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority to replace the iconic MetroCard with a next-generation fare payment system similar to that used on the bus, Tube and rail services operated by Transport for London.
The base contract award is $539.5 million with additional options worth $33.9 million. The award has been approved by the MTA’s board.
“Today’s vote is a tremendous win for New Yorkers, paving the way for flexible payment options, a streamlined trip through the region’s public transit, and updated equipment that will help save money in operating costs. Together with Cubic, we look forward to building the MTA of tomorrow,” said Joseph J. Lhota, chairman of the MTA.
“We are extremely pleased with being awarded this contract, which reinforces Cubic’s position as the industry leader in advanced transportation payment and information solutions,” said Brad Feldmann, president and chief executive officer of Cubic Corporation.
The new system allows customers to create personalized transit accounts to see ride history, check balances, add value as well as report lost or stolen cards to protect their funds. They will also have the option of using payment media such as credit and debit cards and mobile devices at the bus or turnstile, instead of purchasing and adding value to a separate fare card, to offer a retail payment experience to transit.
The initiative will reduce costs for the MTA by significantly reducing the dispensing of fare media, will streamline fare calculation and phase out 20-year-old equipment that is more costly to maintain each year. Ultimately, the new system will provide an enhanced and integrated travel experience across the region including seamless access to Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Rail Road.
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Supervisors Approve 332-Home
Development in Valley Center
County Supervisors unanimously approved a project Wednesday that plans to build 332 homes, public and private park space, private recreational areas, a drive-through restaurant, retail shops, open space and trails in Valley Center.
The Park Circle Project was previously recommended for approval by both the San Diego County Planning Commission and the Valley Center Community Planning Group. The project intends to build a range of housing types on a roughly 74-acre site — from 101 traditional homes to 167 “cluster” and “alley” homes that are still detached, but built in clusters of six-to-eight or six-to-10 on smaller lots.
In addition, the project plans to build a 2.6-acre public park in its center that will include a stage for events, lawn, fire pits, basketball courts, fitness equipment, tot-lots and bathrooms. The project will also include nearly two acres of private parks, a private recreational area, 4.4 miles of trails, a dog park and open space around Moosa Creek, which runs through the site. The project’s 4.2-acre commercial area plans to include an 1,800-square-foot restaurant with drive-through and four commercial retail buildings for shops.
Park Circle developers say they expect their homes when built to cost between the $400,000 and $600,000 and to be most affordably priced new homes in North County.
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Owner of Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant
Purchase Next-Door Property for $1.55M
A mixed-use property at 4060 Adams Ave. in Kensington has been sold for $1.55 million to the Meza Family Trust, owner-operator of Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant adjacent to the property. The 2,500-square foot building is directly adjacent to I-15 on/off ramps, located within the main commercial district in Kensington and is occupied by Good Vibrations Family Chiropractic. The property has onsite parking and a residential unit. The seller was CRI Big Rock LLC, represented by NAI San Diego.
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Marlborough Villas Sells for $4.2M
Marlborough 4102 LLC has purchased Marlborough Villas, an apartment building at 4102 Marlborough Ave. in San Diego, for $4,162,500. The seller was AE Holdings LLC, a real estate development and investment company.
The property was renovated in 2007 and has a recorded final map for condominiums. The new owner plans to continue operating the property as apartments for the foreseeable future, according to Kidder Mathews. KW Commercial represented the seller.
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North San Diego Business Chamber
Plans International Travel for 2018
Trips to Portugal, Africa and Danube River Cruise
North San Diego Business Chamber has announced its international travel plans for 2018, which includes Portugal in April, South Africa in August and the Danube in October. You don’t have to be a chamber member to travel.
Portugal is an inclusive package that includes 9 days/7 nights for $3249 with options to extend the trip a few additional days. Thursday Nov. 2, the chamber will host a complimentary preview meeting to talk about the Portugal trip and enlighten potential travelers of the amazing journey that is planned for them.
“We’re offering the opportunity for the community to travel with chamber members, staff and board at competitive and inclusive rates,” said Debra Rosen, president and CEO of the North San Diego Business Chamber. “The Chamber has traveled to China, Spain, Italy and the Rhine River and will be embarking on a trip to Ireland this next week.”
Melissa DeLaCazada and several of her friends have been on all of the chamber trips. “Chamber trips are ideal for those traveling alone or with friends, and a great deal featuring all-inclusive travel destinations,” said DeLaCazada. “I’ve visited countries, always dreamed of visiting, and felt completely comfortable and safe doing so with the chamber.”
Working with agencies that plan chamber exclusive travel allows bigger group discounts and savings for those that travel with the North San Diego Business Chamber. The chamber generates a small amount of revenue from each trip that is used to subsidize programs and benefits for the chamber members.
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Innovative Employee Solutions Takes Home
Top Honors at Sales & Marketing Leadership Awards
Sean Ring, business development manager for Innovative Employee Solutions, and Sara Jensen, the firm’s vice president of business development, have won honors at the 2017 Sales & Marketing Leadership Awards. Ring received top honor for “Sales Disruptor of the Year.” Jensen took home second place honors for “Sales Leader of the Year.”
Since 2013, Ring has served as business development manager for IES – driving strong sales growth through new client acquisition with a focus on partnerships and giving back to his community. Two of IES’ top ten largest clients have been closed by Ring, and he exceeded his sales goals in each of the last two years by 18 percent. Last year alone he contributed an estimated $4.2 million of the new revenue brought in to IES.
As vice president of business development, Jensen is responsible for developing the strategic vision and plan to achieve sales goals to further IES’ business objectives. She also manages a high-performing sales team whose focus is on providing a consultative sales approach in order to find the best solution to fit her clients’ needs. Six of IES’ top ten largest clients were either closed or renewed under Jensen’s leadership which equates to $38 million in revenue for thecompany in 2016 or 48 percent of the total revenue.
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Shea Homes Opens Luxury
Homes in Encinitas
Shea Homes San Diego has unveiled One Oak, a collection of 28 one-and two-story luxury homes in Encinitas on elevated home sites that average one acre. Featuring panoramic views for miles, One Oak showcases nine distinctive floor plans with up to five unique elevations in Hacienda, Prairie and Spanish architectural styling. The One Oak information center opens at 10 a.m. at 3560 James Court, 92024. For more information, call (760) 547-8770.
Offering up to five bedrooms, 5.5 baths and three- to four-car garages homes at One Oak range from 4,120- 5,875 square feet. Architecture by Bassenian Lagoni showcases balconies, courtyards and expansive covered outdoor living spaces. Interior features include highly appointed finishes, open concept living spaces, gourmet kitchens and more.
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UC San Diego Extension Training
Program Receives $100,000 Donation
As a former clinical laboratory scientist student, Melissa Dull knew the financial struggles of being enrolled in a full-time training program. Dull wanted to help other students through these lean times and before her death, she donated $100,000 to the UC San Diego Extension CLS Program. Her donation provided a $1,500 stipend to 15 recent graduates of the UC San Diego Extension CLS Training Program.
Dull was a licensed medical technologist for 37 years who during her career worked at Rady Children’s Hospital, Grossmont Hospital and a private laboratory before accepting a position as a microbiologist with the Naval Medical Center San Diego. She found her true calling in teaching and encouraged colleagues to complete their education and get their CLS license. Dull retired in 2016 and established the Melissa Dull Current Use Fund for CLS Program Support to encourage future medical laboratory scientists in the profession she loved.
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3 San Diego Business to Pay Penalties
for Violating Hazardous Waste Laws
San Diego City Attorney Mara W. Elliott announced that three San Diego businesses have agree to pay civil penalties for violating state hazardous waste laws by failing to properly handle and remove asbestos-laden building materials from a Felton Street property in August 2016. In addition to violating California’s strict hazardous waste control laws, the businesses put construction workers at risk, a California Labor Code violation, Elliott said.
WSC Investment Partners LLC, SRM Investments LLC, and A-Cal Construction Services will pay restitution, costs, and penalties totaling $31,988. In addition, the businesses will be permanently enjoined from improperly removing, handling or disposing of asbestos.
These violations — including asbestos materials mixed in with construction debris — were investigated by the county Department of Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials Division.
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Navy Conducts 1st F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Operations Aboard USS Carl Vinson
ExecutiveGov
The U.S. Navy‘s first F-35 Joint Striker Fighter variant underwent a flight exercise Oct. 18 aboard an aircraft carrier off the Southern California coast as the aircraft prepares to reach initial operating capability.
F-35C Lightning II from the Strike Fighter Squadron 125 performed launch and recovery operations on the USS Carl Vinson as part of day and night carrier qualifications, the service branch said.
“We’re supporting efforts to flight test the current helmet-mounted display system,” added VFA-125 Operations Officer Lt. Cmdr. Josh Reynolds.
Reynolds added that the F-35C works to add airborne stealth and deep-strike capacities to the carrier fleet in efforts to penetrate enemy air defenses.
The aircraft is set to reach IOC status for the Navy toward the end of 2018.
F-35C is a fifth-generation strike fighter for long-range stealth operations in support of aircraft carriers and is meant to enhance awareness, lethality and survivability in the battlespace.
The Navy said the Nimitz-class USS Carl Vinson is anticipated to be the first carrier in the West Coast to go on deployment with an F-35C squadron after the ship undergoes a scheduled maintenance in 2019.
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Personnel Announcements
Peter Armstrong Promoted at Wakeland Housing and Development
Wakeland Housing and Development has promoted Peter Armstrong to the position of vice president, real estate development. This new position will oversee all aspects of Wakeland’s real estate development projects from initial conception through construction.
Armstrong first joined Wakeland in 2014 as a senior project finance manager, playing a key role in the creation of over 500 units of affordable and supportive housing. Prior to joining Wakeland, he worked for the San Diego Housing Commission, EAH Housing and the cities of Berkeley and San Diego.
Armstrong is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and trainings such as the San Diego Housing Federation’s Affordable Housing Institute and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s Housing Development Training Institute. His education includes a Master of Planning degree from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts from Pomona College.
