Daily Business Report: Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021
HomeTownSD’s Sports Arena proposal
includes new arena, more than 2,000 homes
The HomeTownSD partnership, a women-led development team with deep San Diego roots, has submitted a visionary plan to transform the Sports Arena property into a destination neighborhood with a world-class arena and housing..
The more than 2,000 apartment homes serving middle and low income San Diego families account for more than 60 percent of the planned 3,250 apartment homes in this neighborhood. Market rate apartments make up the balance. It will include a 10,000- square-foot childcare center, job training and other programs to catalyze opportunities for residents.
The team’s plan includes a new arena “designed specifically for San Diego’s home teams.” the 10,000-seat concert configuration will be designed to expand capacity for festivals and special events.
The members of the HomeTownSD development team are:
Monarch Group: A company that has developed market-rage and middle-income apartment communities in San Diego and the West. Sarah Kruer is a partner.
Eden Housing, a California-based nonprofit housing developer of projects in San Diego and other communities in California. Linda Mandolini is president and CEO.
Essex Property Trust: Owner of more than 250 communities, including over 60,000 apartment homes, 5,600 in Diego. Adam Berry is chief investment officer, leads the development group.
JMI Sports: Founded in 2006 by CEO Erik Judson and former Padres owner John Moores. Judson and his team have managed the development of USD’s Fowler Park, SDSU’s new basketball practice facility and other national projects.
TOP PHOTO: Aerial rendering of HomeTownSD partnership’s proposal for Sports Arena property.
2022 ballot measure proposed to raise
minimum wage to $18 an hour in 2026
CalMatters
California’s minimum wage would rise to $18 an hour for all workers by 2026 if voters approve a measure that progressive tech investor Joe Sanberg is seeking to put on the 2022 ballot.
Sanberg, who last year backed an unsuccessful bid to “tax extreme wealth” in California,
told the Los Angeles Times that “if you work full time, you should be able to live with full financial security, and that’s not the case in California.”
A recent Public Policy Institute of California poll found that 19 percent of adults worry every day or almost every day about health care costs and paying bills — and 25 percent worry daily about the cost of housing.
Yet some small businesses are having difficulty meeting the state’s current minimum wage requirements amid smash-and-grab robberies, skyrocketing inflation rates, supply chain snarls, labor shortage and the economic uncertainty posed by the omicron COVID-19 variant.
Businesses with 26 or more employees must start paying workers $15 an hour in January, a requirement that will apply to all businesses by 2023. To stay afloat, many companies are raising prices — a move they fear could drive customers away.
The Green Room Hotel debuts in Oceanside
The Green Room Hotel, originally a motel built in the 1950s, was given a second life by Co-owners Stephen and Brett Poovey, as a modernized bungalow-style boutique hotel. Opened in July 2021, the hotel channels the inside of a wave and the space where musicians relax.
Located on the Coast Highway in south Oceanside, hotel amenities include a cedar-style hot tub, outdoor firepit and a social area with communal picnic tables lit with string lighting with music playing from a curated playlist.
With interior design by local designers Jessica Tingle and Leigh Jendrusina, each room feature bohemian accents, custom local art pieces, mid-century modern furnishings, Moroccan rugs, playful bathroom tiling, and in some units, kitchenettes with retro-style appliances and private patios. The hotel features six studios, five one-bedroom suites, and one two-bedroom suite. The property feels modern and classic with thick adobe walls and pitched roofs from the 1950s remaining.
Pure Water Oceanside to start purifying
water by the end of the year
By the end of December, the City of Oceanside will begin turning recycled water into drinkable water through its new, state-of-the-art water purification facility, the first of its kind in San Diego County.
The new water purification system, dubbed Pure Water Oceanside, uses ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and an advanced oxidation process to purify recycled wastewater.
“It’s inspired by the natural water cycle and is the natural next step for recycling our precious water resource that we currently discharge into the ocean without tapping into its full potential,” said Oceanside Water Utilities Director Cari Dale, who has led the project.
After nearly two years of construction, the new purification system located at the San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility is on track to begin purifying water just before the new year.
Christensen Foundation increases funding for
SDCCD Board of Trustees Scholarships
The San Diego Community College District’s (SDCCD) Board of Trustees Scholarships have once again received funding from the Scott A. and Elizabeth V. Christensen Charitable Foundation for 2022. For the spring semester scholarships awards, the foundation has increased their donation to each of the district’s four college foundations from $2,000 to $5,000 for a total of $20,000. With this increased support, each of the district’s four colleges can now award five to 10 $500 to $1,000 Board of Trustees Scholarships in 2022.
Since the first Board of Trustees Scholarships were awarded in spring 2014, the Christensen Foundation has given a total of $84,000 to help more than 100 SDCCD students continue their education. That support included a $10,000 grant for the purchase of 3D printers at City College and the College of Continuing Education.
A Nike vice president appointed as an
adviser to Petco’s Board of Directors
Petco Health and Wellness Company Inc. announced the appointment of Iris Yen as an adviser to its board of directors. As part of her appointment, Yen will also serve as a board observer, immediately providing high-caliber expertise in digital, brand building, retail and strategy, as well as an avenue of continuity as Petco seeks directors when seats become available in the future.
Yen currently serves at NIKE Inc. vice president, Global Nike direct digital commerce.
In this role, she oversees Nike’s digital portfolio around the world, which includes platforms such as Nike App, SNKRS, Nike Run Club, Nike Training Club and Nike Membership.
She is focused on creating new value for Nike and its consumers by crafting engaging experiences and digital capabilities that drive affinity for Nike while encouraging people to participate in and share their passion for sport.
Previously, Yen served as the vice president of Greater China Nike Direct Digital Commerce. She joined Nike in 2016 as global vice president of strategy.
Senior Resource Group names Chris Gladheim
vice president of human resources
Chris Gladheim has been named vice president of human resources for Senior Resource Group in Solana Beach, which develops, owns, and operates luxury senior living communities across seven states.
He will be responsible for managing the human resources function including talent acquisition and management, leadership development, total rewards and recognition, and advising senior management regarding current and future workforce strategies that align with SRG’s business objectives.
Gladheim has 25 years’ experience in human resources focusing on recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and organizational effectiveness.
He is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who most recently served as a senior director of human resources for a large-scale defense and diversified technology company, creating business, HR, and talent acquisition strategies in support of more than 15,000 employees. Previously, he was a director and human resources business partner for a global technology company, facilitating organization and leadership development efforts, translating business strategies into employee objectives and defining the strategic direction of key functional areas.
Innovation Hub at Cal State San Marcos
to host Quick Pitch Competition
Students from Cal State San Marcos will present and pitch their entrepreneurial ideas during the CSUSM Quick Pitch Competition today from 6-8 p.m. at the newly opened Innovation Hub on campus. This will be the Innovation Hub’s first event since the completion of the new space, with the goal of inspiring innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit across the campus community.
Working closely with faculty mentors, students gain hands-on experience in pitching and presenting ideas in front of potential investors and a crowd.
The Quick Pitch Competition provides an opportunity for students to share their innovative ideas for a chance to win prize money to support the development of the concept. The winning pitch will be selected through an audience vote.
The event is free and open to the public. Visit the CSUSM Innovation Hub website for more information.
Presidio Residential Capital and Van Daele
Homes to build townhomes in Utah
San Diego-based Presidio Residential Capital and Van Daele Homes have purchased a parcel of land within the 4,200-acre master-planned community Daybreak in South Jordan, Utah, near Salt Lake City, to build a new 77-unit row townhome community named Axis at North Station.
The community is located off South Jordan Parkway, adjacent to the American Academy of Innovation and just steps from the South Jordan Parkway Light Rail Station. Presales for Axis are anticipated for early 2022, with a model grand opening and first move-ins anticipated for late spring/early summer 2022.
Van Daele Homes, in partnership with Presidio Residential Capital. has developed three joint venture projects together in California and Utah.
Oceanside hosts Denmark’s minister for the environment
The City of Oceanside welcomed Minister for the Environment of Denmark Lea Wermelin and her accompanying water technology experts on Nov. 30 to witness and celebrate the signing of the California-Denmark agreement for water sector collaboration on Water Technology Day 2021. The memorandum of understanding is between the Danish Water Technology Alliance and the San Diego Regional Water Tech Alliance
The event was held at the City of Oceanside’s San Luis Rey Water Reclamation Facility in the Pure Water Oceanside center to highlight the project and educate the delegation. Pure Water Oceanside will be the first water reuse project to go online in San Diego County. Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez and Water Utilities Director Cari Dale received the minister and her delegation to provide a tour of the project and discussed a shared alliance to local, national and international water security.
The Villas at Poway gets a ‘Best Nursing Home’
designation from U.S. News and World Report
Palomar Health announced that The Villas at Poway have earned the “Best Nursing Homes” designation by U.S. News and World Report for the third year in a row for short-term rehabilitation. U.S. News gives the designation only to those homes meeting criteria it has determined most greatly impact patient and resident care, safety, and outcomes.
To be recognized as one of the 2021-2022 U.S. News Best Nursing Homes, a facility must have been “High Performing” in short-term rehabilitation, long-term care or both. The rating was only achieved by 13% of short-term rehabilitation facilities nationwide.
The Villas at Poway is home to a maximum of 129 adult residents who have post-acute, sub-acute and long-term needs including rehabilitation, respite and hospice care. Highly trained nurses, including a Nurse Practitioner, work closely with patients, doctors and family members to ensure the best possible outcomes. All services are provided in a comfortable, home-like atmosphere.
San Diego Tourism Authority announces selection
of first cohort for its Tourism Accelerator program
San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) announced the first participants selected for its Tourism Accelerator pilot program. The initiative, one of the first of its kind in the country, is designed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the local tourism industry by providing free membership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities to businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans and those who identify as LGBTQ+.
The first cohort, which was selected from nearly 50 applicants, reflects the diversity of the region and the industry, embracing a wide range of business types with owners from a variety of backgrounds. They include:
Access Trax LLC: Provider of portable access mats that ensure stable surfaces for mobility device users to easily access outdoor recreation over sand, grass, gravel and snow.
Owner – Kelly Twichel
Female-owned business
Alternative Strategies: A full-service marketing and PR agency focused exclusively on the hospitality industry.
Owner – William Lopez
Hispanic/Latinx, LGBTQ+-owned business
Common Theory Public House: Bar and restaurant.
Owner – Cristian Liang
Asian-owned business
Fargo’s BBQ/Jamaican Cuisine: Jamaican cuisine caterer and food truck.
Owner – Jacinth (Elaine) Williams
Black, Jamaican, female-owned business
Finest City Improv: Improvisational comedy shows and classes.
Owner – Amy Lisewski
LGBTQ+, female-owned business
Game Face Video SD: Creative-youth developer and technical training company in the field of video and photography.
Owner – Regina V. Greenlee
Black, veteran-owned business
Gossip Grill: Lesbian/LGBTQ+bar.
Owner – Moe Girton
LGBTQ+, woman-owned business
It’s In the Details: A boutique travel and event company with concierge-style services.
Owner – Nita Cintron
Black, woman-owned business
Pop Up Picnic Co.: Luxury picnic event company.
Owner – Lauren Kimmons
Woman-owned business
Social Artistry LLC: Event company with a focus on empowering diverse communities.
Owner – Lauren Garces
Asian, African-American, woman-owned business
Bank of America and SDG&E are the financial sponsors of the pilot program, which will begin in January 2022 and offer participants a suite of services valued at over $10,000, including: