Daily Business Report-Oct. 30, 2020
Chicano Park. (Photo courtesy of San Diego Tourism Authority)
Chicano Park to be surveyed for possible
inclusion as a National Park Service affiliate
The National Park Service (NPS) will undertake a reconnaissance survey to recognize the national significance of Chicano Park and its murals as an affiliated area of the National Park System.
This comes after a hearing on Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51)’s legislation H.R. 484, the Chicano Park Preservation Act of 2019 in front of the U.S. of House Representative’s Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands hearing on Oct. 29, 2019. The bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a thorough study of San Diego’s Chicano Park to evaluate its national significance.
At the hearing, NPS expressed their openness to conducting the necessary study through administrative action rather than needing passage of the bill. After the hearing, Vargas sent a follow up letter to the NPS urging them to conduct the necessary study administratively.
“I’m very pleased to learn that the National Park Service will begin their preliminary assessment of Chicano Park early next year. The National Park Service affiliation will help protect the park’s longevity and legacy,” said Vargas.
NPS affiliation would allow Chicano Park to be recognized, preserved, and protected as an American history landmark. The affiliation would also make Chicano Park eligible for technical or financial aid from NPS.
“Chicano Park is our spiritual home and represents a defining moment of victory for the Barrio Logan and Chicano community,” said Vargas.
Chicano Park was created after a group of dedicated residents came together to boycott the construction of a highway patrol station on the site of what is now Chicano Park.
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Export Specialty Center instituted
at World Trade Center San Diego
San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has contracted with World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) in a partnership that will bring an Export Specialty Center to the region, housed at WTCSD. The dedicated center will focus on small business export advising and training that serves to increase the number of export-ready firms in the region.
“The partnership with SBDC allows our team to build upon the export support that we’ve delivered for more than five years through our MetroConnect program. While MetroConnect serves a competitively-selected cohort of export-ready companies each year, the SBDC work will really focus on getting small businesses to a point where they are positioned for international growth, which we know will grow jobs, increase revenues and improve resiliency here at home,” said Nikia Clarke, executive director, WTCSD.
WTCSD will receive additional funding from SBDC to expand its export portfolio of small businesses, hire a new full-time employee, and tap into SBDC’s diverse network to funnel companies into its export accelerator program MetroConnect.
The contract will run from Oct. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021. WTCSD has hired coordinator Ajogwu (Jeff) Adegbe to help lead these efforts.
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DETECT study: Fitness trackers, smart
watches can predict COVID-19 infection
Examining data from the first six weeks of their landmark DETECT study, a team of scientists from the Scripps Research Translational Institute sees encouraging signs that wearable fitness devices can improve public health efforts to control COVID-19.
The DETECT study, launched on March 25, uses a mobile app to collect smartwatch and activity tracker data from consenting participants, and also gathers their self-reported symptoms and diagnostic test results. Any adult living in the United States is eligible to participate in the study by downloading the research app, MyDataHelps.
In a study published Oct. 29 in Nature Medicine, the Scripps Research team reports that wearable devices like Fitbit are capable of identifying cases of COVID-19 by evaluating changes in heart rate, sleep and activity levels, along with self-reported symptom data—and can identify cases with greater success than looking at symptoms alone.
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General Atomics acquires Guidestar Optical Systems
General Atomics announced that it has completed the acquisition of Guidestar Optical Systems Inc., a leader in adaptive optics technologies for commercial and defense uses in Longmont, Colo. The business will be integrated into the General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) group. Guidestar Optical Systems’ cutting-edge innovations in adaptive optics align with GA-EMS’ focus on delivering groundbreaking technologies for the defense and space markets.
“We are excited to bring the Guidestar team on board to further enhance our diverse portfolio of laser technologies,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “Guidestar’s expertise in adaptive optics has led to significant advancements in laser communications, high-energy laser technologies, ISR (Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance), and atmospheric measurement and forecasting. This acquisition expands our ability to design, build, test, and deliver an extensive set of optical technologies to our customers.”
Founded in 2013, Guidestar Optical Systems is an optical systems research and development company focused on the design and development of innovative optical solutions.
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Starting this weekend, polls open
for four days — vote early
In a first for a County of San Diego election, the polls for the Nov. 3 Presidential General Election will open for four days, starting this weekend.
In light of COVID-19, voters are encouraged to vote from home using their mail ballot. But those who want to vote in person can vote early at their assigned polling place from Saturday, Oct. 31 through Monday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Due to the pandemic and a predicted high voter turnout, the Registrar’s office is urging you to avoid long lines and crowded polling places by voting before Election Day itself.
There are fewer polling places than in past elections, and the location of your poll has most likely changed so check the back of your sample ballot and voter information pamphlet for your assigned poll before you head out to vote this weekend.
Your assigned poll was also included on the Registrar’s postcard remindersent to voters last week or you can look it up at sdvote.com.
The hours at the polls and the Registrar of Voters office will change to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3. You should prepare for long lines.
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LEAD San Diego honors six
for outstanding community contributions
LEAD San Diego, an affiliate of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, has virtually presented the annual Visionary Awards to six individuals whose passion and commitment to the community “are moving the region forward.”
“Leaders of all types have stepped up to find opportunity in the many challenges this year has brought and today’s event celebrates those who are showing up, every day, with their innovative ideas, collaborative approaches, and commitment to making our community a better place,” said Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the chamber.
The six local leaders were recognized for their contributions to the region’s growth and potential through their time, talent, and innovation. This year’s Visionary Award honorees:
- Neil Morgan Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement – Congressmember Susan Davis
- LEAD Graduate of the Year award — Sofia Salgado Robitaille, Executive Director, Southwestern College Foundation
- Innovation and Economic Opportunity Award — Mike Krenn, CEO, CONNECT
- Ronald Kendrick Memorial Award for Regional Collaboration — Rudolph A. Johnson III, president and CEO, Neighborhood House Association
- Charles Nathanson Memorial Award for Cross-Border Region Building — Roxana Velásquez, executive director, San Diego Museum of Art
- 2020 Community Spotlight Award — San Diego Police Officer Chris Jones, founder of the Young and Prosperous Foundation
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U.S. News & World Report: UC San Diego #1 for
gastroenterology and hepatology research
U.S. News & World Report named University of California San Diego School of Medicine a top global university and ranked the divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology #1 in the world for research. For patients like Norlan Reyes, this means world-class care close to home.
It was during an annual, physical exam 14 years ago, when Reyes, now 71, discovered he had liver disease. The retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant was diagnosed with cirrhosis, a late-stage scarring (fibrosis) of the liver.
Reyes received care at UC San Diego Health, the region’s only academic medical center, where he was enrolled in several clinical trials over the years.
“We’ve taken care of Mr. Reyes for more than 10 years, and through his participation in these trials, we’ve been able to manage his cirrhosis and ensure that it did not worsen over time,” said Rohit Loomba, M.D., professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, director of Hepatology and director of the Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Research Center at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
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Michelin honors 5 San Diego restaurants
as new discoveries
Candice Woo | Eater San Diego
The Michelin Guide, which decided to skip publishing a California edition this year and not award any stars, Bib Gourmand ratings, or Plate recommendations because of the toll that the pandemic and the California wildfires has taken on the region’s restaurant industry, instead hosted a virtual event called California Family Meal. It raised funds for the California Food Bank Association and featured commentary and discussion about the future of fine dining and awarded sustainability distinctions to famous chefs including Alice Waters, Dominique Crenn, and Thomas Keller.
In lieu of handing out stars or awards, the organization instead chose to highlight 20 California restaurants that their inspectors deemed as inspiring new discoveries. Among the group were five eateries from the San Diego area: Dija Mara in Oceanside, Little Italy’s Morning Glory, Tuetano Taqueria in San Ysidro, and two standout local sushi bars, Soichi Suchi and Sushi Tadokoro.
Soichi Sushi co-owner Raechel Kadoya said, “We are very honored and grateful to be recognized amongst other amazing restaurants in California. We strive to offer our best service, food and traditional Japanese hospitality to create an exquisite dining experience for our guests.”
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Alaina Ladner hired as JLL vice president and
West Region energy and sustainability practice lead
JLL announced the hiring of Alaina Ladner as vice president and West Region energy and sustainability practice lead within the company’s Project and Development Services group. Ladner will be based in the firm’s San Diego office.
Ladner will be responsible for helping JLL clients become more sustainable, more resilient and more responsible with their fit-outs, retrofits, building upgrades, energy and sustainability projects and new development. Additionally, she will take a lead role in the development and execution of strategy to win work, bringing in new clients and will collaborate across the firm’s diversified business lines and offerings to augment and add value to JLL’s established services.
Ladner joins JLL with nearly 14 years of project and architectural experience, most recently serving as a senior associate for Huntsman Architectural Group where she provided leadership through all phases of a project from programming and space planning to design and construction administration; all with a focus on sustainability, green building design and wellness. She earned a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Colorado.
The hiring of Ladner follows JLL’s recent announcement of the next stage in its sustainability program by committing to achieve net zero carbon emissions across all JLL-occupied buildings by 2030. The firm also advocates a net zero approach for all its clients and suppliers.
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SDSU recognized by The Princeton Review
for sustainability efforts
SDSU has been included in The Princeton Review’s 2021 “Green Colleges” list that honors the most environmentally responsible colleges. In addition to SDSU, schools on the list include Stanford University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Ohio State University, University of California, Los Angeles and University of California San Diego. Of the 416 schools listed, 393 are in the U.S., 22 are in Canada, and one is in Greece.
SDSU offers a major and minor in sustainability and numerous other academic programs that focus on sustainability.
In August, SDSU’s newest residential community, Huaxyacac, earned LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for new building construction. It is the university’s sixth residential facility to be LEED-certified along with South Campus Plaza North, South Campus Plaza South, Tenochca, Tula and Zura, which are all certified LEED Silver.
In 2017, the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union achieved LEED Double Platinum status, joining an elite group of energy-efficient buildings.
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Affirmed Housing opens The Link for the homeless
Affirmed Housing and its development partners hosted on Oct. 20 a virtual Grand Opening celebration for The LINK, a permanent supportive housing community. Located at 707 17th Street in Downtown San Diego, The LINK is the result of a collaboration of various public and private entities, and is designed to help spur neighborhood revitalization while addressing the region’s affordable housing shortage.
The LINK provides 72 permanent supportive housing apartments to people who have experienced homelessness, and 14 affordable studios for households earning 50 percent or less of the area median income (86 total resident apartments). Each apartment is approximately 300-400 square feet, with a living space, kitchen, and bath.
The seven-story, 50,000-square-foot project features a glass-encased lobby, a community room, and laundry facilities. Built by HA Builders and designed by Carrier Johnson + CULTURE, the project features a dramatically sharp angle, creating a striking presence at a major downtown intersection.
The LINK follows the nationally-recognized Housing First model for ending homelessness. Affirmed Housing President & CEO, James Silverwood, explains,
“The Housing First model has proven to be the best way to get folks off the street and keep them housed,” said James Silverwood, president and CEO of Affirmed Housing.
“The concept is that they need housing first in order to get their lives back together, in order for them to have job training, educational skills, kick dependency on drugs or alcohol, etc.”
