Imperial Beach: Port Adds Artistic Touch to Region
At $12,800, it’s not the biggest contract that San Diego-based Khavari Construction Inc. has received. But it may be one of the most artistic.
The company is excavating and pouring a concrete foundation for a sculpture called “Banner Art” at the terminus of Imperial Beach Boulevard, near the ocean. The San Diego Unified Port District is putting up the sculpture as part of its public art program.
The sculpture consists of three 21-foot-tall metal poles standing in a line. The top of each pole is twisted in such a way that when viewed from a specific angle on the ground, the three poles spell the word art. John Banks of Henderson, Nev., created the sculpture.
The poles will be delivered this month, and the port plans to dedicate the sculpture in November.
, Brad Graves
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National City: Give Olson a Star for Energy Program
Olson Co., a residential developer with several projects in San Diego County, announced its partnership with the seventh annual Energy Star “Change a Light, Change the World” campaign Oct. 5.
Olson is bringing energy-saving awareness to homeowners at its “Walk” communities, including Paradise Walk in National City, Bougainvillea Walk in La Mesa and Santa Fe Walk in Vista.
“In addition to including compact fluorescent bulbs as standard in our homes, we will also supply our current homeowners, and new home buyers, with two additional 60-watt Energy Star light bulbs to install in their homes,” said Tony Pauker, regional president of the Olson Co., which is based in Seal Beach and has a San Diego office. “It’s our way of motivating a local call to action for energy efficiency to help reduce skyrocketing energy costs and the risks of global climate change.”
Olson, which has 30 employees in its San Diego office, provided a package of two 13-watt compact fluorescent light bulbs to their 500 homeowners and home buyers throughout San Diego. The cost to Olson was unavailable.
According to Energy Star, a single energy-efficient bulb lasts seven years, can save an average of $37 or more in annual energy costs during the bulb’s lifetime, and prevent more than 450 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Star is an annual program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy designed to help consumers save money and protect the environment.
, Pat Broderick
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Vista: Graffiti Costs City Some $200,000 Annually
Graffiti vandalism in Vista decreased 20 percent in the past six months, thanks to a comprehensive graffiti abatement program that appears to be working well, city officials said.
The program has three components: identifying and reporting where the vandalism occurred; working with property owners to remove it promptly; and working with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department to charge offenders.
Getting rid of the offensive scrawls soon after they are spotted is essential, said Patrick Johnson, assistant to the city manager.
“Removing graffiti quickly not only reduces the chance that property will be vandalized again, but it beautifies our community and maintains property value,” he said.
Graffiti removal costs the city about $200,000 annually, according to a city report.
, Mike Allen
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Carlsbad: Can I Get $1M for This Spacious Home?
During the thrift bailout, when the federal government held auctions nationwide to efficiently and quickly liquidate billions of dollars’ worth of foreclosed property, it also found that “auction fever” tended to yield bids that exceeded anticipated prices. But when the housing market rebounded, multiple property auctions fell out of favor.
Fast forward more than two decades to a cooling San Diego County real estate market, and at least one developer is employing the method to sell some tony new homes in Carlsbad.
The Woodland Hills-based Great American Group will auction off 16 fully furnished model homes previously listed from $849,500 to more than $1.4 million in the Bressi Ranch subdivision, east of Interstate 5, between Palomar Airport Road and El Camino Real.
Built by Miami-based Lennar Homes, the houses have from three to five bedrooms and 2.5 to 4.5 baths. The two-story homes range in size from 2,095 to 4,608 square feet. Lot sizes range up to 9,277 square feet. Amenities include granite countertops in the kitchens, beechwood cabinetry, hardwood and marble flooring, formal dining rooms and central air conditioning.
The auction is set to start at noon on Oct. 21 at La Costa Resort and Spa, 2100 Costa Del Mar Road in Carlsbad. The Great American Group is coordinating the event with Piatelli Co., which is based in Los Angeles and is the real estate broker.
For additional information, visit www.greatamerican.com.
, Connie Lewis
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El Cajon: Eastern Treats Heading West Next Spring
Construction of New York Bakery, formerly on El Cajon Boulevard in North Park, is under way in downtown El Cajon.
The future 11,000-square-foot, two-story building at 245 E. Main St. will likely be completed in the spring, said city planner Anthony Shute.
The building is expected to include retail space on the main floor and a 3,500-square-foot office suite and bakery owner Santo DiGrigoli’s living quarters on the second level.
DiGrigoli, who hails from Italy, said the cost of the project has totaled $1.5 million to date. Santee-based Diamond Construction is constructing the building.
New York Bakery started in Brooklyn, N.Y., and has been in San Diego for the last 35 years, said DiGrigoli.
He said the bakery will continue its wholesale operations to restaurants and hotels, but will also now sell to individuals.
, Katie Weeks
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Escondido: Protest Doesn’t Slow Business at the Pumps
A Mobil gas station in Escondido has become the target of a racially fueled protest regarding illegal immigration.
Owner Sam Abed, a member of the Escondido City Council, was one of three council members to vote in favor this month of an ordinance that would forbid landlords from renting to illegal immigrants. In protest of the 3-2 vote, ordinance opponents have resolved to rally with signs outside Abed’s station at the corner of Midway Drive and East Valley Parkway.
The protest is expected to last until the council casts its final vote on the ordinance Oct. 18.
Despite the protest, lines of vehicles have been observed at the pumps and Abed told local media that his business has actually increased since the protest began. Campaign signs in favor of the council members who support the ordinance have also appeared on the grounds.
, Jessica Long
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Lemon Grove: Council Approves Housing Project
The Lemon Grove City Council approved a controversial residential development at a public hearing Oct. 3.
The project, which was recommended for approval by the city’s Planning Commission, will be built on property that formerly covered asbestos-topped pipelines.
Citrus Heights will include 78 single-family homes on almost 17 acres and is located on the southernmost edge of Lemon Grove and bordered on three sides by San Diego.
Robert Larkins, Lemon Grove’s community development director, said the next step for the development will be for Carter Reese & Associates to submit final subdivision plans, grading plans, and building plans for review and eventual approval. Carter Reese is a San Diego-based urban development company.
The site was previously used by San Diego Gas & Electric Co. as a natural gas storage facility consisting of 9.23 miles of 30-inch diameter underground piping that served as a natural gas reservoir.
The facility was decommissioned in September 2000 and the underground piping and accessory structures were removed. The underground pipe was wrapped in a material that included a layer of asbestos. A cleanup program was conducted in 2000 and 2001 and is the subject of litigation.
Lemon Grove reports that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control has declared the site suitable for residential use.
, Michelle Mowad
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San Marcos: Prepare to Mingle at Chamber Mixer
Biggs Harley-Davidson & Buell plans to host a business mixer Oct. 26 for the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce.
The mixer is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 717 Center Drive in San Marcos and is open to any businessperson looking to network. Cost is $5 for chamber members and $10 for nonmembers.
The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce holds a mixer every month at member businesses. Mixers are held on the four Thursday of the month unless otherwise posted at www.sanmarcoschamber.com.
For details, call (760) 744-1270.
, Jessica Long
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Solana Beach: Time to Let Dogs Out in Colorado
Solana Beach-based Muttropolis, a retail store for pets and their parents, is expanding.
The pet shop planned to open its fifth retail location, in Boulder, Colo., on Oct. 13 at the new 29th Street retail district.
The store planned to donate a portion of its Oct. 14 and 15 sales to the Boulder Valley Humane Society.
Muttropolis also has locations in Tucson, Ariz., Solana Beach, La Jolla and Newport Beach.
, Stacey Bengtson
