Daily Business Report-May 17, 2021
Navy’s plan for NAVWAR site includes
high-rise buildings and 10,000 homes
By Chris Jennewein | Times of San Diego
The Navy recommended Friday that the NAVWAR site in Old Town be redeveloped with high-density residential and business towers plus a transit facility.
The Navy’s “preferred alternative” in the draft environmental impact report for the World War II-era bomber plant calls for over 100 buildings, 10,000 residences and 2.5 million square feet of office and retail space.
The tallest buildings would be 32 stories high, creating a new skyline in the Midway area over a 30-year development period.
The Navy released renderings of the public-private development but stressed that they were “conceptual at this early stage.”
The Navy said the plan “meets the purpose and need for modernized facilities for NAVWAR, includes efficient access to mass transit for NAVWAR employees and visitors, and provides the most flexibility for future design of development.”
Other alternatives featured lower buildings, less housing and no transit center, despite the proximity of railroad and trolley lines and the airport.
Release of the draft environmental impact report begins a period of public comment through July 13.
The Navy will hold two virtual public meetings to provide information about the plan:
• 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 8
• 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 23
Copies of the Draft EIS and selected meeting materials will be on display at:
Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Library: 215 West Washington St., San Diego
Point Loma/Hervey Library: 3701 Voltaire St., San Diego
And San Diego Central Library: 330 Park Blvd., San Diego
PHOTO: A rendering of the view from the Presidio after 30 years of development of the site. Courtesy of the Navy
Report urges California to act to protect
marine ecosystems against microplastics
SDSU NewsCenter
Roughly 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, and the U.S. is one of the top contributors to plastic pollution. It’s been found in the seafloor and surface water, on beaches and shorelines. Microplastics — tiny plastics less than 5 millimeters in size — are pervasive worldwide and have been found inside marine animals, in drinking water and food.
A new report on microplastic pollution in California urges the state to take action to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems by reducing microplastic materials at their source, which may be the most effective way to remedy the situation.
Eunha Hoh, San Diego State University environmental health scientist and professor of public health, served as co-chair of a working group of leading interdisciplinary experts who developed the 68-page report.
PHOTO: A report by leading environmental scientists urges California to act to protect the marine ecosystem against microplastic pollution. (Courtesy of SDSU)
Biocept sets sights on expansion,
fueled by COVID-19 testing
San Diego-based Biocept began offering PCR-based COVID-19 testing services in June 2020, when the company determined that its expertise in molecular testing for cancer could be leveraged to assist during the pandemic. The effort has been a major success—Biocept has currently received more than 380,000 samples since its launch. With its current lease expiring, the company was looking for a new site that could better suit its needs to handle the growing demand for its testing services, as sample processing capacity ramped from 2,500 to 5,000 tests per day. It found a site within San Diego’s Sorrento Valley biotech hub.
Biocept has grown rapidly, increasing its full-time employee count from 93 to 112 to support its expanded processing capacity at the new location. Biocept also hired 30 interns and 28 temporary employees.
Jessica Berger named vice president of university
advancement at Cal State San Marcos
Cal State San Marcos President Ellen Neufeldt announced the appointment of Jessica Berger as the university’s next vice president of University Advancement and executive director of the CSUSM Foundation.
Berger currently serves as assistant vice president for development at Harvey Mudd College (HMC) in Claremont, where she leads a team of talented professionals and oversees all development-related activity in the Office of College Advancement.
In her role at HMC, she has launched new initiatives to strengthen donor stewardship, worked to enhance HMC’s visibility and fundraising efforts, and collaborated across the college with faculty, staff and deans to implement successful giving campaigns, contributing to the success of HMC’s recent $175 million comprehensive campaign.
A native of Ohio, Berger earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Wittenberg University and her Master of Social Work from Cleveland State University.
Major expansion coming for Cross Border
Express, bridge to Tijuana Airport from Otay Mesa
Otay Mesa’s Cross Border Xpress, a popular pedestrian bridge to Tijuana International Airport, received approval for an expansion plan that includes a parking garage, hotel rooms, a gas station and retail shops.
The roads within the 64-acre satellite airport terminal will also be reconfigured into one-way streets with traffic traveling clockwise, mimicking the circulation patterns of traditional airports for drop-off and pick-up.
The new amenities were part of the original 2012 approval for the Cross Border Xpress, which opened in 2015 and is commonly known as CBX. But the change in traffic patterns needed approval by the San Diego Planning Commission.
12 San Diego companies named Inc. Best Workplaces of 2021
Twelve San Diego companies, including innovative Commercial Environments, Seismic, and Trust and Will, were named among Inc.’s Best Workplaces of 2021. Based on employee feedback and benefits, these companies are among hundreds nationwide that meaningfully engage their staff despite a turbulent year.
Cue Health nets $235 million in new private financing
Portable diagnostic developer Cue Health raised $235 million in new private financing to expand its point-of-care COVID-19 tests into a broader model for multiple diseases and conditions. After a recent expansion into Vista, Cue ultimately plans to offer a menu of simple tests run through one diagnostic system and telehealth platform for use in clinical settings, as well as for clearing people for entry to public spaces.
Southwest adds nonstop flights to Hawaii from San Diego
Southwest Airlines will add additional nonstop flights between San Diego and the Hawaiian islands, beginning in June. In addition to its existing flight to Oahu, it will begin flying to Maui, Kauai and The Big Island — a positive sign for the tourism industry on its road to recovery.
