Daily Business Report-March 6, 2018
The California Theatre (Photo by Sandé Lollis)
Court Stymies City of San Diego’s
Plans to Demolish California Theatre
San Diego County Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil has set aside the city of San Diego’s approval of the demolition of the historic California Theatre in a ruling on a lawsuit filed by the Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO).
The City Council approved the demolition of the landmark theatre in April 2017, although its Downtown Community Plan mandates that it not be demolished.
The proposed demolition required an environmental impact report (EIR) process because of its inconsistency with the plan and its adverse environmental impacts, according to SOHO.
The court granted SOHO’s legal petition in full because the EIR for the “1122 4th Avenue Project” failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality act (CEQA) by refusing to analyze even one alternative providing for adaptive reuse of the 1927 theater and its historic Agua Caliente racetrack mural as required by the city’s adopted Downtown Community plan.
The project as approved by the city would allow complete demolition of the theater complex to build a 40-story, 420-foot-tall mixed-use development of 282 residential units and parking along with a street level retail lobby.
“CEQA is citizen-enforced. Because of SOHO’s case and this court’s ruling, feasible ways to avoid demolition of the irreplaceable California Theatre must now be publicly studied and discussed,” said SOHO attorney Susan Brandt-Hawley. “The theater may then be adapted for viable new uses just as required by the Downtown Community Plan.”
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Koman Family Outpatient Pavilion to
Weldome First Patients on March 12
UC San Diego Health on March 12 will welcome its first patients to the Koman Family Outpatient Pavilion, the new 156,000-square-foot, $140 million facility that represents the most recent addition to the university’s world-class medical campus.
The new outpatient pavilion includes eight surgery suites, basic and advanced imaging, physical therapy and pain management plus infusion and apheresis services. The services are designed for patients who will be treated in a single day. Surgeons will offer a range of procedures, such as minimally invasive orthopedic surgery for hand, sports and foot injuries as well as advanced procedures for urinary stones, bladder cancer, breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. Hearing restoration and sinus procedures will be offered, as well as medical devices to treat obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Pain management options, such as image-guided injections, implantable therapies and traditional and alternative medications, will be available, tailored to each patient.
The Pavilion is named in honor of Bill and Amy Koman and family, passionate cancer research advocates. It was designed by CO Architects and built by Kitchell Construction. Location: 9400 Campus Point Drive.
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Lesia Cartelli: A crusader for the Power of Resilience
Lesia Stockall Cartelli is the founder and chief executive officer of Angel Faces, a national nonprofit based in California that provides healing retreats and ongoing support to adolescent girls and young women with severe burn/trauma injuries to achieve their optimum potential and develop meaningful relationships for themselves, their families and their communities. Cartelli endured serious burn injuries to her face and body in a natural gas explosion at the age of nine. Her grandparents’ home was destroyed in the fire, yet her spirit survived. In 1991 she launched and directed the first camp for burn-injured children in southern California.
Cartelli will speak at the Leadership Conference March 23 as part of San Diego Women’s Week sponsored by the North San Diego Business Chamber. Women’s Week runs March 19-21-23. Click here for the schedule.
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Former City Mgr. John McGrory Appointed
to Cal State University Board of Trustees
Former San Diego City Manager Jack McGrory, 68, of San Diego, has been appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees by Gov. Jerry Brown. McGrory has been chief executive officer at La Jolla MJ Management LLC since 2009. He was a chief executive officer at the Price Group LLC from 2001 to 2009 and a chief operating officer for the San Diego Padres at Petco Park from 1999 to 2001.
McGrory was a chief executive officer at Price Enterprises Inc. from 1997 to 1999. He served as San Diego city manager from 1991 to 1997. McGrory earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of San Diego School of Law and a Master of Public Administration degree in public administration from San Diego State University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. McGrory is a Democrat.
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Electric Vehicle Drivers Can
Cash In for Driving Clean
Electric vehicle (EV) drivers not only enjoy the satisfaction of making a difference everyday by helping to reduce air pollution, they can reap financial rewards — in the form of a credit on their San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) bill — for driving clean. The region’s 27,000 EV drivers, whether they drive an all-electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid, can apply for SDG&E’s Electric Vehicle Climate Credit through May 31, 2018, as part of a statewide program administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to fight climate change.
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Polygenic Risk Score May Identify
Alzheimer’s Risk in Younger Populations
For the first time, an international team of scientists, led by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, have determined that an Alzheimer’s disease polygenic risk score can be used to correctly identify adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who were only in their 50s. MCI is considered a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. Findings were published in the Feb.. 27 online edition of Molecular Psychiatry.
According to the National Institute on Aging, more people with MCI than those without it go on to develop Alzheimer’s. Approximately eight of every 10 persons who fit the definition of amnestic MCI develop Alzheimer’s disease within seven years.
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La Mesa Chamber to Host
‘Salute to Local Heroes’
The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host its 10th annual “Salute to Local Heroes” dinner starting at 5 p.m., Thursday, March 8, at the Town and Country Resort Hotel, Town and Country Ballroom, 500 Hotel Circle North, in Mission Valley. The event, open to the public, will include installation of board members, dinner, silent auction and recognition of eight local heroes from law enforcement, fire district, paramedic field and retired senior volunteer patrol.
The event theme is “One Jewel of a Night.” Cost to attend is $85 per person or two tickets for $150 and a table of eight for $600. Complimentary parking is included. Tickets may be purchased online at www.lamesachamber.com, or by calling the Chamber Office (619) 465-7700.
This year’s honorees are: Alex England, emergency medical technician, and Ben Schafer, medic, American Medical Response; Greg McAlpine, deputy chief, and Matthew Kirk, captain, Heartland Fire and Rescue; Eric Knudson, master officer, and Carlos Gaytan, officer, La Mesa Police Department; Mike Boatright and Chuck Jackson, both volunteers, La Mesa Police Department Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol.
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Navy Band Sea Chanters Entertain
Chief Musician William Edwards entertains the audience during a performance with the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters at the Village Community Presbyterian Church in Rancho Sante Fe. The Sea Chanters are on an 18-day tour through California, Arizona and Nevada, connecting Americans to their Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Musician Melissa Bishop)
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Personnel Announcements
Richard Freeark Named COO of C.W. Driver Companies
C.W. Driver Companies has promoted Richard Freeark to chief operating officer. He is based out of the company’s San Diego office. As COO, Freeark is responsible for the company’s operational oversight and client satisfaction for projects statewide, including training and performance strategies, contract negotiations, staffing, scheduling, financial controls, reporting and closeout for all projects.
With nearly four decades of construction industry experience, Freeark has spearheaded major projects for C.W. Driver Companies including the University of California, Irvine Alumni Center; Alpine Branch Library; Ramona Branch Library; Fallbrook Branch Library; Belmont Village’s Belmont Senior Living Westwood; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Steven Spielberg Building Wet Lab; Valley Presbyterian Hospital; Kaiser Medical Center Riverside; Qualcomm’s SAN.Q Addition and Hollywood Casino Jamul. He also plays a key role on a host of higher education and K-12 projects across California. Prior to the COO role, Freeark served as senior vice president of the d\company.
Freeark holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and finance from California State University, Northridge.
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Philanthropist George Gould Appointed
to Board of Visitors at U.S. Naval Academy
USO San Diego board member and philanthropist George Gould has been appointed by President Donald Trump to the Board of Visitors at the United States Naval Academy. The duty of the Board of Visitors is to inquire into the state of morale and discipline, the curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and other matters relating to the academy which the board decides to consider. The appointment is a three-year term expiring Dec. 30, 2020.
Gould is a native of Chicago where he enjoyed a successful career in investments, and serves as member of the board of directors of the USS Midway Foundation, is a hands-on supporter of the Navy SEAL Foundation where he hosts fishing trips, cookouts and provides business advice to those transitioning to civilian life and is former vice chairman of the board of the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
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Glenn Martin Joins The Heritage Group
The Heritage Group announced the appointment of Glenn Martin as its newest portfolio manager. With Martin’s 12+ years of commercial real estate experience, he will add tremendous value to the Real Estate Services team and the growing Heritage portfolio.
Prior to joining The Heritage Group, Glenn served as senior property manager for Kidder Mathews. During his tenure at Kidder Mathews, he focused on property operations, financial-reporting, leasing, tenant-client relations, and tenant improvement construction. Throughout his years of experience, Glenn has worked as property manager for Cushman and Wakefield, as well as portfolio manager for firms such as G&L Realty and Pacific Medical Buildings.
