Novartis Vacaville facility to expand
East Bay Business Times - August 31, 2007
by Michael Fitzhugh
Novartis AG's Vacaville drug manufacturing plant will break ground within weeks on a 7,000-square-foot expansion, eliminating a big bottleneck in its capacity to make key ingredients for three approved drugs and several still in the company's pipeline.
Sweetening the investment, the company is hammering out an economic-incentive package with the city.
"We'll take whatever action we can to help them be competitive within their own company," said Mike Palombo, Vacaville's economic-development manager.
Palombo is still developing incentives to aid the Novartis plant, which employs about 130 people in Vacaville and is on track to hire 30 more by the end of 2007.
"On a straight dollar-for-dollar basis, we can't compete (with other cities). So we have to do something else to attract them," said Palombo.
Once complete, Palombo's recommendation will be reviewed by city staff members, and then by the city manager. If the city manager concurs, the incentives to be offered to the company will be taken to the Vacaville City Council for to approval.
"They're constantly looking for ways to help us," said Rob Carter, Novartis' Vacaville site head.
While tax breaks for facilities like Novartis' are fairly common in the industry - neighboring Genentech Inc.'s large new plant could gets million of dollars in property tax refunds - Novartis gets no breaks from the city now.
When the 61,000-square-foot plant was built by Chiron in 1994, the hot biotechnology pioneer was in such a hurry to build, it didn't make time to negotiate a favorable package with the city. Novartis acquired the facility in April 2006 when it purchased Chiron.
The Vacaville plant is one of two microbial biopharmaceutical sites run by Novartis and is a mid-sized plant for the industry, said Carter. It uses microbial fermentation to create specialized therapeutic proteins.
The fermentation takes place in a 20,000-liter tank in which microbes are fed carbohydrates and vitamins, and then harvested and purified before being shipped overseas to be freeze-dried and packaged with other drug ingredients into vials distributed to hospitals.
The facility runs two- to three-month "campaigns" during which it makes one drug, and then switches to another for its next campaign. This month, it's producing a protein for a division of Johnson and Johnson which goes into the manufacture of Regranex, a topical gel used to treat diabetic foot ulcers.
It also makes a drug used by BioMimetic Therapeutics Inc. in the treatment of periodontal defects.
Among the trial drugs it manufactures for Novartis is Mycograb, which may help fight hospital infections by making antibiotics more effective, a treatment Carter called "pretty dramatic stuff."
The decision to make Mycograb was "a very significant investment in the site on Novartis' part," said Carter. "As a new owner of the site, it was their endorsement that they were taking the site seriously and that we have some pretty serious growth ahead of us."
Carter has 20 years' experience in the health care manufacturing field, much of it from working for Baxter International Inc., first in Cananda, then in Los Angeles.
Taking advantage of Novartis' career development support, he recently returned from a week-long MIT training program surveying the industry's latest technologies and how they fit together. "That helped me calibrate what we're doing against the bigger picture," Carter said.
Novartis is "very risk-averse," he said. "They treat their people very well, but they also expect me to treat them very well. So the onus is on this team to make sure that we keep their trust."
Novartis Vacaville Manufacturing Facility
Business: Biopharmaceutical manufacturing
Built: 1994
Site head: Rob Carter
Employees: 130
Address: 2010 Cessna Drive, Vacaville 95688
Phone: 707-453-2200
mfitzhugh@bizjournals.com | 925-598-1425
Friday, August 31, 2007
Novartis Vacaville Facility To Expand
Novartis Vacaville Facility To Expand
East Bay Business Times - August 31, 2007
by Michael Fitzhugh
Novartis AG's Vacaville drug manufacturing plant will break ground within weeks on a 7,000-square-foot expansion, eliminating a big bottleneck in its capacity to make key ingredients for three approved drugs and several still in the company's pipeline.
Sweetening the investment, the company is hammering out an economic-incentive package with the city.
"We'll take whatever action we can to help them be competitive within their own company," said Mike Palombo, Vacaville's economic-development manager.
Palombo is still developing incentives to aid the Novartis plant, which employs about 130 people in Vacaville and is on track to hire 30 more by the end of 2007.
"On a straight dollar-for-dollar basis, we can't compete (with other cities). So we have to do something else to attract them," said Palombo.
Once complete, Palombo's recommendation will be reviewed by city staff members, and then by the city manager. If the city manager concurs, the incentives to be offered to the company will be taken to the Vacaville City Council for to approval.
"They're constantly looking for ways to help us," said Rob Carter, Novartis' Vacaville site head.
While tax breaks for facilities like Novartis' are fairly common in the industry - neighboring Genentech Inc.'s large new plant could gets million of dollars in property tax refunds - Novartis gets no breaks from the city now.
When the 61,000-square-foot plant was built by Chiron in 1994, the hot biotechnology pioneer was in such a hurry to build, it didn't make time to negotiate a favorable package with the city. Novartis acquired the facility in April 2006 when it purchased Chiron.
The Vacaville plant is one of two microbial biopharmaceutical sites run by Novartis and is a mid-sized plant for the industry, said Carter. It uses microbial fermentation to create specialized therapeutic proteins.
The fermentation takes place in a 20,000-liter tank in which microbes are fed carbohydrates and vitamins, and then harvested and purified before being shipped overseas to be freeze-dried and packaged with other drug ingredients into vials distributed to hospitals.
The facility runs two- to three-month "campaigns" during which it makes one drug, and then switches to another for its next campaign. This month, it's producing a protein for a division of Johnson and Johnson which goes into the manufacture of Regranex, a topical gel used to treat diabetic foot ulcers.
It also makes a drug used by BioMimetic Therapeutics Inc. in the treatment of periodontal defects.
Among the trial drugs it manufactures for Novartis is Mycograb, which may help fight hospital infections by making antibiotics more effective, a treatment Carter called "pretty dramatic stuff."
The decision to make Mycograb was "a very significant investment in the site on Novartis' part," said Carter. "As a new owner of the site, it was their endorsement that they were taking the site seriously and that we have some pretty serious growth ahead of us."
Carter has 20 years' experience in the health care manufacturing field, much of it from working for Baxter International Inc., first in Cananda, then in Los Angeles.
Taking advantage of Novartis' career development support, he recently returned from a week-long MIT training program surveying the industry's latest technologies and how they fit together. "That helped me calibrate what we're doing against the bigger picture," Carter said.
Novartis is "very risk-averse," he said. "They treat their people very well, but they also expect me to treat them very well. So the onus is on this team to make sure that we keep their trust."
Novartis Vacaville Manufacturing Facility
Business: Biopharmaceutical manufacturing
Built: 1994
Site head: Rob Carter
Employees: 130
Address: 2010 Cessna Drive, Vacaville 95688
Phone: 707-453-2200
mfitzhugh@bizjournals.com | 925-598-1425
East Bay Business Times - August 31, 2007
by Michael Fitzhugh
Novartis AG's Vacaville drug manufacturing plant will break ground within weeks on a 7,000-square-foot expansion, eliminating a big bottleneck in its capacity to make key ingredients for three approved drugs and several still in the company's pipeline.
Sweetening the investment, the company is hammering out an economic-incentive package with the city.
"We'll take whatever action we can to help them be competitive within their own company," said Mike Palombo, Vacaville's economic-development manager.
Palombo is still developing incentives to aid the Novartis plant, which employs about 130 people in Vacaville and is on track to hire 30 more by the end of 2007.
"On a straight dollar-for-dollar basis, we can't compete (with other cities). So we have to do something else to attract them," said Palombo.
Once complete, Palombo's recommendation will be reviewed by city staff members, and then by the city manager. If the city manager concurs, the incentives to be offered to the company will be taken to the Vacaville City Council for to approval.
"They're constantly looking for ways to help us," said Rob Carter, Novartis' Vacaville site head.
While tax breaks for facilities like Novartis' are fairly common in the industry - neighboring Genentech Inc.'s large new plant could gets million of dollars in property tax refunds - Novartis gets no breaks from the city now.
When the 61,000-square-foot plant was built by Chiron in 1994, the hot biotechnology pioneer was in such a hurry to build, it didn't make time to negotiate a favorable package with the city. Novartis acquired the facility in April 2006 when it purchased Chiron.
The Vacaville plant is one of two microbial biopharmaceutical sites run by Novartis and is a mid-sized plant for the industry, said Carter. It uses microbial fermentation to create specialized therapeutic proteins.
The fermentation takes place in a 20,000-liter tank in which microbes are fed carbohydrates and vitamins, and then harvested and purified before being shipped overseas to be freeze-dried and packaged with other drug ingredients into vials distributed to hospitals.
The facility runs two- to three-month "campaigns" during which it makes one drug, and then switches to another for its next campaign. This month, it's producing a protein for a division of Johnson and Johnson which goes into the manufacture of Regranex, a topical gel used to treat diabetic foot ulcers.
It also makes a drug used by BioMimetic Therapeutics Inc. in the treatment of periodontal defects.
Among the trial drugs it manufactures for Novartis is Mycograb, which may help fight hospital infections by making antibiotics more effective, a treatment Carter called "pretty dramatic stuff."
The decision to make Mycograb was "a very significant investment in the site on Novartis' part," said Carter. "As a new owner of the site, it was their endorsement that they were taking the site seriously and that we have some pretty serious growth ahead of us."
Carter has 20 years' experience in the health care manufacturing field, much of it from working for Baxter International Inc., first in Cananda, then in Los Angeles.
Taking advantage of Novartis' career development support, he recently returned from a week-long MIT training program surveying the industry's latest technologies and how they fit together. "That helped me calibrate what we're doing against the bigger picture," Carter said.
Novartis is "very risk-averse," he said. "They treat their people very well, but they also expect me to treat them very well. So the onus is on this team to make sure that we keep their trust."
Novartis Vacaville Manufacturing Facility
Business: Biopharmaceutical manufacturing
Built: 1994
Site head: Rob Carter
Employees: 130
Address: 2010 Cessna Drive, Vacaville 95688
Phone: 707-453-2200
mfitzhugh@bizjournals.com | 925-598-1425
Suisun City Changes With The Climate
Suisun City Changes With The Climate
By Barry Eberling
SUISUN CITY - A proposal to build stores and 232 homes near Highway 12 and Cordelia Road includes features to reduce greenhouse gases that many scientists say cause global warming.
Bicycle racks would be conveniently placed. Houses would have outside electrical outlets to encourage use of electric mowers. Low-polluting cars would get better parking spaces.
The draft environmental report for the Gentry project in Suisun City is perhaps the first in the Solano County to include a section on global climate change. That's likely the wave of the future.
State Attorney General Jerry Brown says state laws require cities and counties to take global warming into account when considering development projects. Although some dispute his interpretation, Suisun City decided its Gentry report should include a climate change section.
"We just thought we'd play it safe and address it," said Heather McCollister, director of Suisun City Community Development.
But figuring out what the state expects cities to do about climate change is a challenge.
"Nobody really knows how we're supposed to address it yet," Fairfield Planner Erin Beavers said.
There are no court rulings addressing the issue, he said, and no established state or federal standards. Still, some cities and counties feel the pressure to do something. Brown sued San Bernardino County to force that county's General Plan update to address global warming. The two parties settled Aug. 21.
Brown's press office did not return calls. A Brown press release says cities can take steps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, such as imposing development fees to fund mass transit and promoting high-density developments.
The state Air Resources Board is to develop standards for reducing greenhouse gases, but has yet to do so.
The Gentry project could produce an estimated 18,120 tons of carbon dioxide annually, the draft environmental report said.
Greenhouse gas emissions are a "significant and unavoidable impact," the report concluded.
Some scientists say global warming will cause sea level rise of 7 to 23 inches. The Gentry site is 2 to 10 feet above sea level and should remain dry, the report said.
Fairfield is doing an environmental study for its proposed train station and surrounding community. That study also will contain a climate change section.
The idea of the train station development is to promote mass transit use, Beavers said.
But the development will still have emission impacts, he said.
Solano County has yet to require a global warming section in the environmental report for the proposed, 370-home Rockville Trails Estates development, But the Solano Transportation Authority will have a section in the report for the proposed North Connector road.
Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646, Ext. 232, or at beberling@dailyrepublic.net.
Steps considered by Gentry developers to reduce greenhouse gases
--Provide a satellite telecommunications center
--Use light colors where reasonable to increase reflectivity of roads, driveways and other paved surfaces
--Provide mass transit information kiosks
--Have shade trees near buildings
--Provide convenient bicycle parking and storage for store workers and patrons
By Barry Eberling
SUISUN CITY - A proposal to build stores and 232 homes near Highway 12 and Cordelia Road includes features to reduce greenhouse gases that many scientists say cause global warming.
Bicycle racks would be conveniently placed. Houses would have outside electrical outlets to encourage use of electric mowers. Low-polluting cars would get better parking spaces.
The draft environmental report for the Gentry project in Suisun City is perhaps the first in the Solano County to include a section on global climate change. That's likely the wave of the future.
State Attorney General Jerry Brown says state laws require cities and counties to take global warming into account when considering development projects. Although some dispute his interpretation, Suisun City decided its Gentry report should include a climate change section.
"We just thought we'd play it safe and address it," said Heather McCollister, director of Suisun City Community Development.
But figuring out what the state expects cities to do about climate change is a challenge.
"Nobody really knows how we're supposed to address it yet," Fairfield Planner Erin Beavers said.
There are no court rulings addressing the issue, he said, and no established state or federal standards. Still, some cities and counties feel the pressure to do something. Brown sued San Bernardino County to force that county's General Plan update to address global warming. The two parties settled Aug. 21.
Brown's press office did not return calls. A Brown press release says cities can take steps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, such as imposing development fees to fund mass transit and promoting high-density developments.
The state Air Resources Board is to develop standards for reducing greenhouse gases, but has yet to do so.
The Gentry project could produce an estimated 18,120 tons of carbon dioxide annually, the draft environmental report said.
Greenhouse gas emissions are a "significant and unavoidable impact," the report concluded.
Some scientists say global warming will cause sea level rise of 7 to 23 inches. The Gentry site is 2 to 10 feet above sea level and should remain dry, the report said.
Fairfield is doing an environmental study for its proposed train station and surrounding community. That study also will contain a climate change section.
The idea of the train station development is to promote mass transit use, Beavers said.
But the development will still have emission impacts, he said.
Solano County has yet to require a global warming section in the environmental report for the proposed, 370-home Rockville Trails Estates development, But the Solano Transportation Authority will have a section in the report for the proposed North Connector road.
Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646, Ext. 232, or at beberling@dailyrepublic.net.
Steps considered by Gentry developers to reduce greenhouse gases
--Provide a satellite telecommunications center
--Use light colors where reasonable to increase reflectivity of roads, driveways and other paved surfaces
--Provide mass transit information kiosks
--Have shade trees near buildings
--Provide convenient bicycle parking and storage for store workers and patrons
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Sacramento Angels lead $1M investment into Visicon Inspection Technologies LLC in Napa.
Sacramento Angels lead $1M investment
Sacramento Business Journal - 4:34 PM PDT Wednesday, August 29, 2007
by Mark Anderson
Staff writer
The Sacramento Angels led a $1 million round investment into Visicon Inspection Technologies LLC in Napa.
Visicon develops highly specialized inspection systems for manufacturing companies ranging from medical stent producers to metal fabricators.
The Sacramento Angels invested with participation of The Angels Forum, the Sierra Angels and the Keiretsu Forum, a nationwide network of Angels, including many in Northern California.
Sacramento Angel member George Linscott will take a seat on Visicon's board of directors.
Visicon's testing equipment ranges from sensitive cameras to digital devices, as well as software to interpret and catch tiny defects. The company will use the money to expand in the medical area, where the market for small precision devices is growing.
The company has a patent pending on a linear-array camera that scans a surface and then generates a highly detailed magnification of a part. That can be used to create computer files for automatic detection of flaws.
The Sacramento Angels have invested in 27 companies over the past decade.
Sacramento Business Journal - 4:34 PM PDT Wednesday, August 29, 2007
by Mark Anderson
Staff writer
The Sacramento Angels led a $1 million round investment into Visicon Inspection Technologies LLC in Napa.
Visicon develops highly specialized inspection systems for manufacturing companies ranging from medical stent producers to metal fabricators.
The Sacramento Angels invested with participation of The Angels Forum, the Sierra Angels and the Keiretsu Forum, a nationwide network of Angels, including many in Northern California.
Sacramento Angel member George Linscott will take a seat on Visicon's board of directors.
Visicon's testing equipment ranges from sensitive cameras to digital devices, as well as software to interpret and catch tiny defects. The company will use the money to expand in the medical area, where the market for small precision devices is growing.
The company has a patent pending on a linear-array camera that scans a surface and then generates a highly detailed magnification of a part. That can be used to create computer files for automatic detection of flaws.
The Sacramento Angels have invested in 27 companies over the past decade.
Chamber President Can Do The Math
Chamber President Can Do The Math -- As Hispanic Population Grows, So Do Business Opportunities
By Ines Bebea
Guido Minaya is the new president of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Minaya has a passion for education. (Photo by Brad Zweerink)
FAIRIFIELD - Guido Minaya, the new president of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, knows the value of education. When it comes to math, one of his first objectives is to double the chamber's membership from its current level of 80.
Minaya also wants to hire a full-time staff and open an office. The board of directors and administrative positions are currently filled by volunteers.
Minaya estimated that there are 300 Hispanic businesses in Solano County and is confident that the expansion of the chamber can parallel the growth of the Hispanic population.
"The Hispanic population in the U.S. is now at 46 million, with an economic impact of $760 billion," Minaya said. "In Solano County, with its 87,000 Hispanic residents and 23,000 households, we are the fastest growing segment of the population, with a median income of $40,000 to $50,000."
Minaya's goal is also to open membership to non-Hispanic businesses that are interested in the Hispanic market. The chamber will foster networking events and programs in Spanish and English.
The Hispanic Chamber was established in 1989 as the Solano Napa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It split in 2006 into two independent organizations.
"Another goal is to heighten visibility through our new Web site and media outlets," he said. "La Voz, a Hispanic publication, will feature us in their upcoming September issue."
Minaya's passion for education is rooted in his own experiences. He is a partner with Minaya & Associates, LLC, a corporate education consulting firm that specializes in educational and training programs. He also has served as the vice president of programs for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing educational achievements for Hispanics.
"More and more jobs in the future are going to require some college or a four-year degree," Minaya said. "In the Hispanic community, our track record is very poor. We need to do more to ensure that our Latino youth stay in school, graduate high school, enter and finish college.
"This will give us the educated workforce pipeline we will need to sustain Solano County."
Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.
Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
www.solanohispanicchamber.com
399-7155
info@solanohispanicchmaber.com
By Ines Bebea
Guido Minaya is the new president of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Minaya has a passion for education. (Photo by Brad Zweerink)
FAIRIFIELD - Guido Minaya, the new president of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, knows the value of education. When it comes to math, one of his first objectives is to double the chamber's membership from its current level of 80.
Minaya also wants to hire a full-time staff and open an office. The board of directors and administrative positions are currently filled by volunteers.
Minaya estimated that there are 300 Hispanic businesses in Solano County and is confident that the expansion of the chamber can parallel the growth of the Hispanic population.
"The Hispanic population in the U.S. is now at 46 million, with an economic impact of $760 billion," Minaya said. "In Solano County, with its 87,000 Hispanic residents and 23,000 households, we are the fastest growing segment of the population, with a median income of $40,000 to $50,000."
Minaya's goal is also to open membership to non-Hispanic businesses that are interested in the Hispanic market. The chamber will foster networking events and programs in Spanish and English.
The Hispanic Chamber was established in 1989 as the Solano Napa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It split in 2006 into two independent organizations.
"Another goal is to heighten visibility through our new Web site and media outlets," he said. "La Voz, a Hispanic publication, will feature us in their upcoming September issue."
Minaya's passion for education is rooted in his own experiences. He is a partner with Minaya & Associates, LLC, a corporate education consulting firm that specializes in educational and training programs. He also has served as the vice president of programs for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing educational achievements for Hispanics.
"More and more jobs in the future are going to require some college or a four-year degree," Minaya said. "In the Hispanic community, our track record is very poor. We need to do more to ensure that our Latino youth stay in school, graduate high school, enter and finish college.
"This will give us the educated workforce pipeline we will need to sustain Solano County."
Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.
Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
www.solanohispanicchamber.com
399-7155
info@solanohispanicchmaber.com
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Garamendi Seeks Boost For Biotech Firms
Garamendi Seeks Boost For Biotech Firms
By Shelly Meron/Business Writer
TheReporter.Com
Lt. Governor John Garamendi announced last week that he will recommend the creation of a state advisory panel on biotechnology to the Commission for Economic Development. Garamendi made the announcement after touring two biotech facilities last week - Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Cell Genesys Inc.
"Biotechnology represents an incredible growth opportunity for California's economy," Garamendi said in a press release last week. "The innovations of these companies, as well as others, will play an invaluable role in the creation of a sustainable growth economy that creates jobs and helps protect our natural resources."
Solano County is home to several biotech manufacturing facilities, including Genentech Inc., Novartis, and Alza Corp. Mike Ammann, president of the Solano Economic Development Corporation, said expanding the biotech industry in the county was a top priority that has been hindered by California's business climate.
"This commission has the ability to use these and other advisory committees to recommend legislative changes and support the growth of biotechnology and other key industries in California," he said.
According to BayBio, a nonprofit trade association serving the life science industry in Northern California, the region is home to more than 900 life science companies with 90,000 employees and 393 products on the market. Ammann estimates the industry to double in the region in the next 10 years.
"We've got a real machine going on here," he said of the biotech industry in the area. "Hopefully, we'll see some acknowledgment of the benefits of that, and maybe we'll see some changes that will make investing these huge sums in a (biotech) manufacturing plant more friendly. Until we change the business climate, we will have a very difficult time with (companies) investing in California."
Shelly Meron can be reached at business@thereporter.com.
By Shelly Meron/Business Writer
TheReporter.Com
Lt. Governor John Garamendi announced last week that he will recommend the creation of a state advisory panel on biotechnology to the Commission for Economic Development. Garamendi made the announcement after touring two biotech facilities last week - Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Cell Genesys Inc.
"Biotechnology represents an incredible growth opportunity for California's economy," Garamendi said in a press release last week. "The innovations of these companies, as well as others, will play an invaluable role in the creation of a sustainable growth economy that creates jobs and helps protect our natural resources."
Solano County is home to several biotech manufacturing facilities, including Genentech Inc., Novartis, and Alza Corp. Mike Ammann, president of the Solano Economic Development Corporation, said expanding the biotech industry in the county was a top priority that has been hindered by California's business climate.
"This commission has the ability to use these and other advisory committees to recommend legislative changes and support the growth of biotechnology and other key industries in California," he said.
According to BayBio, a nonprofit trade association serving the life science industry in Northern California, the region is home to more than 900 life science companies with 90,000 employees and 393 products on the market. Ammann estimates the industry to double in the region in the next 10 years.
"We've got a real machine going on here," he said of the biotech industry in the area. "Hopefully, we'll see some acknowledgment of the benefits of that, and maybe we'll see some changes that will make investing these huge sums in a (biotech) manufacturing plant more friendly. Until we change the business climate, we will have a very difficult time with (companies) investing in California."
Shelly Meron can be reached at business@thereporter.com.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Southwest begins San Francisco service - 18 daily, nonstop flights to Chicago Midway, San Diego and Las Vegas
Southwest begins San Francisco service
East Bay Business Times - 2:34 PM PDT Monday, August 27, 2007
Southwest Airlines started its San Francisco service Monday with 18 daily, nonstop flights to Chicago Midway, San Diego and Las Vegas.
Dallas-based Southwest previously flew out of San Francisco International Airport from 1982 to 2001, but pulled out of the airport because of high airport costs and inefficiencies.
Southwest (NYSE: LUV) also said it will start a new San Francisco-Los Angeles route beginning Nov. 4.
East Bay Business Times - 2:34 PM PDT Monday, August 27, 2007
Southwest Airlines started its San Francisco service Monday with 18 daily, nonstop flights to Chicago Midway, San Diego and Las Vegas.
Dallas-based Southwest previously flew out of San Francisco International Airport from 1982 to 2001, but pulled out of the airport because of high airport costs and inefficiencies.
Southwest (NYSE: LUV) also said it will start a new San Francisco-Los Angeles route beginning Nov. 4.
Number of full-time students has grown at Solano Community College
August 25, 2007
SCC's enrollment numbers down
By Nika Megino
Cosmetology students stroll through campus at Solano Community College Friday. The college announced overall enrollment was 11,061 for this fall semester, 1,022 less than a year ago. Of that number, 4,173 are full-time students Ð those taking 12 or more units Ð up from 3,179. (Photo by Zachary Kaufman)
FAIRFIELD - Although fewer students have enrolled for fall classes at Solano Community College, the number of full-time students has grown.
The overall enrollment was 11,061 as of Friday, a drop of 1,022 from a year ago. But the total isn't an accurate indication because students are still adding courses for the fall semester, college officials said.
The number of full-time student equivalents - every 12 units enrolled - has increased to 4,173 from 3,179 last year. This means full-time students comprise about 38 percent of the overall population at SCC.
Although the majority of SCC students aren't full-time students, the enrollment figures still pleased college officials, they said.
Although it's optimal for students to enroll full time, that it isn't always possible, said Kathy Rosengren,
interim vice president of academic affairs.
"The community college attracts so many different kinds of people that we are thrilled to have people who take a couple courses," Rosengren said. "It allows them to get their education."
Total student population and number of full-time students won't be confirmed until the end of the semester because some people add classes late and others take courses that start mid-semester, said Rob Simas, director of research and planning.
Although the number of registered students seems to have hit a minor decline, they consider it more of a flat trend, officials said. The figures could relate to the job market, Simas added.
"The other dynamic with community colleges is the traditionally dynamic of work . . . as the job market gets better, people go to work instead of coming to community college," Simas said. "As the market gets worse, people have more free time (to take courses)."
But SCC's enrollment trend differs from what is occurring in the Los Rios Community College District, which consists of four community colleges across Sacramento.
About 78,000 students registered for courses in the Los Rios district - an increase of 8,000 over last year. Los Rios Chancellor Brice Harris said reasons for the increase include a growth in the Sacramento community, affordable college fees, "a lagging economy and an expansion of the district's Folsom Lake campus."
Opening SCC's Vallejo Center may increase the total student population, Rosengren said. The $22.3 million, 44,000-square-foot facility will serve more than 3,000 students.
SCC is taking an active approach to enrollment, Rosengren and Simas said. The college has an enrollment management group and plans to increase its marketing by hiring a full-time public information officer.
The college has added more online courses. Online courses and hybrid courses - in which students do half of the work online and half in the classroom - fill quickly, Simas said.
The college also does its best to offer courses at unusual times - at night and throughout the weekend - to accommodate students who work, Rosengren added. Many students who work full-time and attend the community college to further their education or make a career change, Simas said.
"Everyone needs to be in community college. I really believe in our California community college system," Rosengren said. "Part of its mission is life-long learning. For some people, it's their second chance to get in the area of education. It gives them an opportunity they might have missed."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reach Nika Megino at 427-6953 or nmegino@dailyrepublic.net.
By the numbers
Semester Overall Full-time
Fall 2007 11,062 4,173
Fall 2006 12,084 3,179
Fall 2005 12,431 3,283
Source: Solano Community College
SCC's enrollment numbers down
By Nika Megino
Cosmetology students stroll through campus at Solano Community College Friday. The college announced overall enrollment was 11,061 for this fall semester, 1,022 less than a year ago. Of that number, 4,173 are full-time students Ð those taking 12 or more units Ð up from 3,179. (Photo by Zachary Kaufman)
FAIRFIELD - Although fewer students have enrolled for fall classes at Solano Community College, the number of full-time students has grown.
The overall enrollment was 11,061 as of Friday, a drop of 1,022 from a year ago. But the total isn't an accurate indication because students are still adding courses for the fall semester, college officials said.
The number of full-time student equivalents - every 12 units enrolled - has increased to 4,173 from 3,179 last year. This means full-time students comprise about 38 percent of the overall population at SCC.
Although the majority of SCC students aren't full-time students, the enrollment figures still pleased college officials, they said.
Although it's optimal for students to enroll full time, that it isn't always possible, said Kathy Rosengren,
interim vice president of academic affairs.
"The community college attracts so many different kinds of people that we are thrilled to have people who take a couple courses," Rosengren said. "It allows them to get their education."
Total student population and number of full-time students won't be confirmed until the end of the semester because some people add classes late and others take courses that start mid-semester, said Rob Simas, director of research and planning.
Although the number of registered students seems to have hit a minor decline, they consider it more of a flat trend, officials said. The figures could relate to the job market, Simas added.
"The other dynamic with community colleges is the traditionally dynamic of work . . . as the job market gets better, people go to work instead of coming to community college," Simas said. "As the market gets worse, people have more free time (to take courses)."
But SCC's enrollment trend differs from what is occurring in the Los Rios Community College District, which consists of four community colleges across Sacramento.
About 78,000 students registered for courses in the Los Rios district - an increase of 8,000 over last year. Los Rios Chancellor Brice Harris said reasons for the increase include a growth in the Sacramento community, affordable college fees, "a lagging economy and an expansion of the district's Folsom Lake campus."
Opening SCC's Vallejo Center may increase the total student population, Rosengren said. The $22.3 million, 44,000-square-foot facility will serve more than 3,000 students.
SCC is taking an active approach to enrollment, Rosengren and Simas said. The college has an enrollment management group and plans to increase its marketing by hiring a full-time public information officer.
The college has added more online courses. Online courses and hybrid courses - in which students do half of the work online and half in the classroom - fill quickly, Simas said.
The college also does its best to offer courses at unusual times - at night and throughout the weekend - to accommodate students who work, Rosengren added. Many students who work full-time and attend the community college to further their education or make a career change, Simas said.
"Everyone needs to be in community college. I really believe in our California community college system," Rosengren said. "Part of its mission is life-long learning. For some people, it's their second chance to get in the area of education. It gives them an opportunity they might have missed."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reach Nika Megino at 427-6953 or nmegino@dailyrepublic.net.
By the numbers
Semester Overall Full-time
Fall 2007 11,062 4,173
Fall 2006 12,084 3,179
Fall 2005 12,431 3,283
Source: Solano Community College
PREMIER Commercial, Inc. represented Metro Candy in leasing 21,600 square feet of industrial space in Vacaville
Kevin English and Justin English of PREMIER Commercial, Inc. represented Metro Candy in leasing 21,600 square feet of industrial space in Vacaville. They also represented Bay Solar Power Design in leasing 6,380 square feet of space in Fairfield.
-- Justin English also represented the Estate of Frances Bonifacio in leasing 4,000 square feet of industrial space to Vezer's Precision Industrial Constructors Inc.
-- Justin English also represented the Estate of Frances Bonifacio in leasing 4,000 square feet of industrial space to Vezer's Precision Industrial Constructors Inc.
City manager candidates will vie for complex job
August 26, 2007
City manager candidates will vie for complex job
By Ben Antonius
FAIRFIELD - In the turbulent world of city management, they have been uncommonly stable.
Between them, Kevin O'Rourke and Warren Salmons have more than 22 years of experience leading their respective cities of Fairfield and Dixon. That has put them far ahead of colleagues in Solano County - the managers in Vacaville, Suisun City, Vallejo and Rio Vista have been on the job for five years, two years, eight months and five months, respectively.
That will change though - both men recently announced plans to retire. The moves not only raise questions about continuity and stability for the cities, but they send Fairfield and Dixon into a cutthroat market for management for the first time in more than a decade.
"It's a tough labor market," said Mayor Harry Price, who is one of the councilmen tasked with narrowing the field of candidates to replace O'Rourke. "There's a very small pool of candidates out there. There aren't very many Kevins around who are going to spend all their time on the job. Folks . . . see the workplace as a set number of hours per day."
The explanations are varied but the concern is real enough that the International City Managers Association has launched a major effort called the ICMA Next Generation Initiative to prepare the professionals who will be next in line.
The initiative involves teleconferences, networking sessions and one-on-one meetings with people who want to make city management a career goal, said O'Rourke, who is active in the ICMA effort. He said he and 19 other city managers will participate in a "power coaching" breakfast session with aspiring managers who are seeking career guidance.
"It's kind of the equivalent of power dating," he said. "They get to move around from table to table (and) they'll move about 200 past the 20 of us in a couple hours."
One of the simplest and most vexing explanations is that the problem may be merely numeric - there are far more people in the generation that is approaching retirement than there are in the generations that will replace them.
In the July issue of Western City, a widely-read trade magazine published by the League of California Cities, there are ads from about 10 cities advertising manager vacancies.
"There are 70 million baby boomers exiting the workforce and there's 40 million replacement workers," O'Rourke said. "We see this vacuum being created in all careers within local government."
Price said he is confident Fairfield will attract a good field, noting interest from two internal candidates, Assistant City Manager Nancy Huston and Community Development Director Sean Quinn. Both confirmed their interest in the job but declined to go into depth.
Salmons, who was hired in Dixon a few months after O'Rourke was in Fairfield, is confident the positions will be filled, but noted the job is one that requires a great deal of preparation.
"I'm certainly concerned about the field in general," he said. "I think there are folks who are willing to give it a try. I don't know if they will come with the level of training that is required."
He said the job has gotten far more complex in the last 30 years with the establishment of laws that govern open meetings, conflicts of interest, ethics and harassment.
"There are just many, many more ways to make life complex and theoretically to make missteps," he said. "And you're sort of the one who is expected to have all the answers."
Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.
City managers at a glance
Suzanne Bragdon
City manager of Suisun City since 2005
166 budgeted employees
Hector De La Rosa
City manager of Rio Vista since 2007
56 budgeted employees
Kevin O'Rourke
City manager of Fairfield since 1997
640 budgeted employees
Warren Salmons
City manager of Dixon since 1997
90 budgeted employees
Joe Tanner
City manager of Vallejo since 2007
600 budgeted employees
David Van Kirk
City manager of Vacaville since 2002
610 budgeted employees
City manager candidates will vie for complex job
By Ben Antonius
FAIRFIELD - In the turbulent world of city management, they have been uncommonly stable.
Between them, Kevin O'Rourke and Warren Salmons have more than 22 years of experience leading their respective cities of Fairfield and Dixon. That has put them far ahead of colleagues in Solano County - the managers in Vacaville, Suisun City, Vallejo and Rio Vista have been on the job for five years, two years, eight months and five months, respectively.
That will change though - both men recently announced plans to retire. The moves not only raise questions about continuity and stability for the cities, but they send Fairfield and Dixon into a cutthroat market for management for the first time in more than a decade.
"It's a tough labor market," said Mayor Harry Price, who is one of the councilmen tasked with narrowing the field of candidates to replace O'Rourke. "There's a very small pool of candidates out there. There aren't very many Kevins around who are going to spend all their time on the job. Folks . . . see the workplace as a set number of hours per day."
The explanations are varied but the concern is real enough that the International City Managers Association has launched a major effort called the ICMA Next Generation Initiative to prepare the professionals who will be next in line.
The initiative involves teleconferences, networking sessions and one-on-one meetings with people who want to make city management a career goal, said O'Rourke, who is active in the ICMA effort. He said he and 19 other city managers will participate in a "power coaching" breakfast session with aspiring managers who are seeking career guidance.
"It's kind of the equivalent of power dating," he said. "They get to move around from table to table (and) they'll move about 200 past the 20 of us in a couple hours."
One of the simplest and most vexing explanations is that the problem may be merely numeric - there are far more people in the generation that is approaching retirement than there are in the generations that will replace them.
In the July issue of Western City, a widely-read trade magazine published by the League of California Cities, there are ads from about 10 cities advertising manager vacancies.
"There are 70 million baby boomers exiting the workforce and there's 40 million replacement workers," O'Rourke said. "We see this vacuum being created in all careers within local government."
Price said he is confident Fairfield will attract a good field, noting interest from two internal candidates, Assistant City Manager Nancy Huston and Community Development Director Sean Quinn. Both confirmed their interest in the job but declined to go into depth.
Salmons, who was hired in Dixon a few months after O'Rourke was in Fairfield, is confident the positions will be filled, but noted the job is one that requires a great deal of preparation.
"I'm certainly concerned about the field in general," he said. "I think there are folks who are willing to give it a try. I don't know if they will come with the level of training that is required."
He said the job has gotten far more complex in the last 30 years with the establishment of laws that govern open meetings, conflicts of interest, ethics and harassment.
"There are just many, many more ways to make life complex and theoretically to make missteps," he said. "And you're sort of the one who is expected to have all the answers."
Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.
City managers at a glance
Suzanne Bragdon
City manager of Suisun City since 2005
166 budgeted employees
Hector De La Rosa
City manager of Rio Vista since 2007
56 budgeted employees
Kevin O'Rourke
City manager of Fairfield since 1997
640 budgeted employees
Warren Salmons
City manager of Dixon since 1997
90 budgeted employees
Joe Tanner
City manager of Vallejo since 2007
600 budgeted employees
David Van Kirk
City manager of Vacaville since 2002
610 budgeted employees
Real estate brokers sharing sales data in Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties
Real estate brokers sharing sales data
East Bay Business Times - August 24, 2007
by Jessica Saunders
Real estate brokers and agents in Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties now have access to more than 2.5 million listings of homes for sale throughout California through a data-sharing agreement between 10 multiple-listing services.
The California MLS Alliance includes East Bay Regional Data Inc., whose listings include Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and Bay Area Real Estate Information Services Inc., which serves agents and brokers in Solano, Marin, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties.
The alliance is a data-sharing arrangement only. Wholesale mergers of various MLSs are also on the table.
East Bay Regional Data was among six MLSs that discussed in 2006 merging to form one large MLS serving a large portion of Northern California, but it and the San Francisco Association of Realtors MLS later dropped out. The San Francisco Association of Realtors MLS is also part of California MLS Alliance.
The proposed merger, now downsized from six MLSs representing as many as 75,000 brokers and agents to four MLSs representing 30,000 brokers and agents, is expected to close later this year. It will be called the Northern California Real Estate Exchange, or NCREX, and will incorporate REInfoLink, Contra Costa MLS, Bay East MLS and Central Valley MLS into a single entity with a central database, a single usage fee and one set of rules governing the data's use. It will serve a 10-county area stretching from the South and East Bay to the Central Coast and Central Valley.
Although numerous public Web sites now offer home listing information, MLS data remains the most complete and up-to-date because it is provided directly by agents. Listing data is the foundation of every U.S. housing market, so whoever owns the information also to a certain extent controls the marketplace. The larger MLSs get through mergers, the more power shifts from smaller, independent brokers who often guided MLSs in the past to broker-owners and managers of regional and national firms.
Big brokers have driven the merger efforts in Northern California, hoping to smooth out the patchwork of overlapping databases with separate rules and fees for each. The California Association of Realtors may also weigh in: It recently authorized spending $500,000 to examine forming a statewide MLS. There are about 75 multiple-listing services statewide.
In a highly competitive industry, data-sharing agreements like MLS Alliance allow MLSs access to distant listings without rewriting their rules or sharing revenue from subscriber fees.
The alliance, which took effect Aug. 1, provides real estate agents and brokers belonging to 45 real estate associations with a single source for accessing information on homes for sale throughout the state, said Becky Tobin, president and CEO of EBRDI, the Walnut Creek service owned by the Alameda, Berkeley, Delta and Oakland Realtor associations and the West Contra Costa Multiple Listing Service.
Tobin did not respond in time for publication to follow-up calls about why East Bay Regional Data dropped out of NCREX.
Tobin said she had received "quite a bit" of positive feedback from members on the new data-sharing agreement, the cost of which was absorbed by the member MLSs. Agents and brokers pay subscription fees to belong to an MLS.
"This is something our members have been asking for," Tobin said.
The 10 alliance members have been working on the agreement since February.
jsaunders@bizjournals.com | 925-598-1427
East Bay Business Times - August 24, 2007
by Jessica Saunders
Real estate brokers and agents in Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties now have access to more than 2.5 million listings of homes for sale throughout California through a data-sharing agreement between 10 multiple-listing services.
The California MLS Alliance includes East Bay Regional Data Inc., whose listings include Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and Bay Area Real Estate Information Services Inc., which serves agents and brokers in Solano, Marin, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties.
The alliance is a data-sharing arrangement only. Wholesale mergers of various MLSs are also on the table.
East Bay Regional Data was among six MLSs that discussed in 2006 merging to form one large MLS serving a large portion of Northern California, but it and the San Francisco Association of Realtors MLS later dropped out. The San Francisco Association of Realtors MLS is also part of California MLS Alliance.
The proposed merger, now downsized from six MLSs representing as many as 75,000 brokers and agents to four MLSs representing 30,000 brokers and agents, is expected to close later this year. It will be called the Northern California Real Estate Exchange, or NCREX, and will incorporate REInfoLink, Contra Costa MLS, Bay East MLS and Central Valley MLS into a single entity with a central database, a single usage fee and one set of rules governing the data's use. It will serve a 10-county area stretching from the South and East Bay to the Central Coast and Central Valley.
Although numerous public Web sites now offer home listing information, MLS data remains the most complete and up-to-date because it is provided directly by agents. Listing data is the foundation of every U.S. housing market, so whoever owns the information also to a certain extent controls the marketplace. The larger MLSs get through mergers, the more power shifts from smaller, independent brokers who often guided MLSs in the past to broker-owners and managers of regional and national firms.
Big brokers have driven the merger efforts in Northern California, hoping to smooth out the patchwork of overlapping databases with separate rules and fees for each. The California Association of Realtors may also weigh in: It recently authorized spending $500,000 to examine forming a statewide MLS. There are about 75 multiple-listing services statewide.
In a highly competitive industry, data-sharing agreements like MLS Alliance allow MLSs access to distant listings without rewriting their rules or sharing revenue from subscriber fees.
The alliance, which took effect Aug. 1, provides real estate agents and brokers belonging to 45 real estate associations with a single source for accessing information on homes for sale throughout the state, said Becky Tobin, president and CEO of EBRDI, the Walnut Creek service owned by the Alameda, Berkeley, Delta and Oakland Realtor associations and the West Contra Costa Multiple Listing Service.
Tobin did not respond in time for publication to follow-up calls about why East Bay Regional Data dropped out of NCREX.
Tobin said she had received "quite a bit" of positive feedback from members on the new data-sharing agreement, the cost of which was absorbed by the member MLSs. Agents and brokers pay subscription fees to belong to an MLS.
"This is something our members have been asking for," Tobin said.
The 10 alliance members have been working on the agreement since February.
jsaunders@bizjournals.com | 925-598-1427
Commercial condos offer option for ownership in Vacaville
Commercial condos offer option for ownership
When the project is completed in 2008, the Venture Commerce Center-Vacaville will consist of 35 privately owned business properties.
By Jennifer Gentile/Staff Writer
Article Launched: 08/27/2007 06:53:32 AM PDT
Work begins next month on a cluster of commercial condominiums in Vacaville - a project intended to make ownership an option for small businesses.
The project, called Venture Commerce Center-Vacaville, is expected to open in March 2008, according to a statement from Larkspur-based Venture Corporation.
The development is to consist of 35 privately owned business properties, ranging from 946 to 2,919 square feet, in six separate buildings.
The development will be located in the business park at the intersection of Interstate 505 and Vaca Valley Parkway.
The center will allow businesses to own, instead of lease, their properties, according to Venture Corp, and take advantage of the tax benefits and other advantages ownership entails.
"It's the first of its kind in Vacaville at this level of quality," said Economic Development Director Mike Palombo, who added that the center "gives businesses an option they don't currently have."
According to Robert Eves, Venture Corp. president, about four out of five American businesses have fewer than 20 employees.
"What a lot of those companies would like to have is a business that's theirs," he said. "Developers, historically, have not built small properties for companies of fewer than 20 employees to own.
Eves and his company have set about trying to meet that need, and Venture Corp. is now involved in 54 projects totaling 3.6 million square feet in five states.
"Our niche, since we started this, is to provide an opportunity for small businesses to own, and not just make their landlords rich," he said.
The company completed a center in Fairfield in 2005, which Palombo liked enough to consider a similar development in Vacaville.
"I went over to see it, and I was very impressed," Palombo said. "I arranged for (Community Development Director Scott Sexton) and the mayor to tour the project, and I think they were impressed, too. I think all of that helped their reception here."
The Fairfield project drew what Palombo called "a nice mix" of businesses that included mortgage companies and medical practices, among others.
"It's a very flexible design; it's attractive," he said, adding "the proposal could be very interesting for small businesses in this community."
The Venture Corp. Properties will be offered in two designs, and some of the units in one building will have roll-up truck doors that can be converted to storefront. The units in some buildings have "flex areas" in the rear, which can be used for additional offices, warehousing, light manufacturing and other purposes.
Ernie Knodel, development vice president, said the company is in the process of obtaining a building permit for the project. Information about the company and its venture centers in Northern California and elsewhere can be seen at www.venture centers.com.
Jennifer Gentile can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.
When the project is completed in 2008, the Venture Commerce Center-Vacaville will consist of 35 privately owned business properties.
By Jennifer Gentile/Staff Writer
Article Launched: 08/27/2007 06:53:32 AM PDT
Work begins next month on a cluster of commercial condominiums in Vacaville - a project intended to make ownership an option for small businesses.
The project, called Venture Commerce Center-Vacaville, is expected to open in March 2008, according to a statement from Larkspur-based Venture Corporation.
The development is to consist of 35 privately owned business properties, ranging from 946 to 2,919 square feet, in six separate buildings.
The development will be located in the business park at the intersection of Interstate 505 and Vaca Valley Parkway.
The center will allow businesses to own, instead of lease, their properties, according to Venture Corp, and take advantage of the tax benefits and other advantages ownership entails.
"It's the first of its kind in Vacaville at this level of quality," said Economic Development Director Mike Palombo, who added that the center "gives businesses an option they don't currently have."
According to Robert Eves, Venture Corp. president, about four out of five American businesses have fewer than 20 employees.
"What a lot of those companies would like to have is a business that's theirs," he said. "Developers, historically, have not built small properties for companies of fewer than 20 employees to own.
Eves and his company have set about trying to meet that need, and Venture Corp. is now involved in 54 projects totaling 3.6 million square feet in five states.
"Our niche, since we started this, is to provide an opportunity for small businesses to own, and not just make their landlords rich," he said.
The company completed a center in Fairfield in 2005, which Palombo liked enough to consider a similar development in Vacaville.
"I went over to see it, and I was very impressed," Palombo said. "I arranged for (Community Development Director Scott Sexton) and the mayor to tour the project, and I think they were impressed, too. I think all of that helped their reception here."
The Fairfield project drew what Palombo called "a nice mix" of businesses that included mortgage companies and medical practices, among others.
"It's a very flexible design; it's attractive," he said, adding "the proposal could be very interesting for small businesses in this community."
The Venture Corp. Properties will be offered in two designs, and some of the units in one building will have roll-up truck doors that can be converted to storefront. The units in some buildings have "flex areas" in the rear, which can be used for additional offices, warehousing, light manufacturing and other purposes.
Ernie Knodel, development vice president, said the company is in the process of obtaining a building permit for the project. Information about the company and its venture centers in Northern California and elsewhere can be seen at www.venture centers.com.
Jennifer Gentile can be reached at vacaville@thereporter.
Roof is proof of solar technology -- Tiles replace panels in Vacaville development
August 26, 2007
Roof is proof of solar technology -- Tiles replace panels in Vacaville development
By Ines Bebea
A new subdivision on Ruby Drive in Vacaville features houses that have solar panels built into the roof tiles, providing energy efficiency for owners. (Photo by Chris Jordan)
VACAVILLE - Solar energy is picking up steam in the Bay Area. If a recent survey of solar projects in the nine Bay Area counties is any indication, Northern California is leading the state by example.
The latest survey by NorCal Solar, an advocacy group, found that solar panels in the Bay Area produced enough electricity to power 61,725 homes. Vacaville was among the top 10 cities with populations greater than 50,000 in terms of watts generated. In 2006, 24 solar projects were installed in the city and produced 2,268,744 watts.
A housing development in Vacaville is taking the concept of solar panels to the next level. Meritage Homes is building 45 energy efficiency homes with solar panels embedded in the roof tiles.
"The idea of building a home based on energy efficiency systems has been in progress for awhile, but we wanted to build our homes with technology that would be cost effective for the owners," said Jeff Jacobs, vice president of community development for Meritage Homes Corporation.
"Vacaville is a forward thinking city," he added, "and we thought it would be the right place and the right time for this kind of community."
This is the first energy efficiency residential project for Meritage Homes. The solar tile technology was developed by SunPower Corporation. The San Jose-based company has been involved in solar technology for 25 years and launched its housing division three years ago.
"Our system includes the solar tiles, the inverter that converts sun light into household electricity, the electric meter and a Web-based monitoring system," said Bill Kelly, general manager for the SunPower New Home Division.
According to Kelly, 10 other communities in California are being developed with solar technology.
"The growth industry for solar panels in California and worldwide has grown 30 to 35 percent per year," Kelly said. "The panels are now more aesthetically pleasing, and the growing concerns regarding the environment have attracted the interests of the general public."
SunPower has done away with the traditional steel and mirror design of solar panels by creating rectangular solar tiles.
The homes in Vacaville also feature tankless water heaters and automated ventilation systems that will help residents save on their utility bills.
"Residents of the homes will notice a significant reduction in their monthly utility bill from what they were used to," Jacobs said. "We hope that they consider the homes an investment that will pay off for them. Depending on your family size, with all our energy efficiency features, you can experience a 50 percent drop in your utility payments."
The emergence of solar panels is evident across Vacaville. Solar panels were installed at the City Hall building in 2003. According to Ed Huestis, transportation systems manager for Vacaville's Public Works Department, the city is the ideal market for solar panels in residential and commercial buildings.
"Our location, hours of sunlight and a population that can afford to make those kind of energy saving improvements make us an ideal location," said Huestis, who paid $20,000 to install solar panels in his own home a few years ago. "The City and County administration have been very conscious about it, and the level of awareness has definitely been raised in Vacaville."
Liz Merry, program manager for NorCal Solar, said the growing popularity of solar energy is a direct result of California's energy crisis in 2000.
"Homeowners want to save money and do something for the environment," Merry said. "The financial payback begins immediately. Solano County has very hot summers and, with that, huge electric bills. Solar energy is a very attractive alternative for its residents."
Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.
Roof is proof of solar technology -- Tiles replace panels in Vacaville development
By Ines Bebea
A new subdivision on Ruby Drive in Vacaville features houses that have solar panels built into the roof tiles, providing energy efficiency for owners. (Photo by Chris Jordan)
VACAVILLE - Solar energy is picking up steam in the Bay Area. If a recent survey of solar projects in the nine Bay Area counties is any indication, Northern California is leading the state by example.
The latest survey by NorCal Solar, an advocacy group, found that solar panels in the Bay Area produced enough electricity to power 61,725 homes. Vacaville was among the top 10 cities with populations greater than 50,000 in terms of watts generated. In 2006, 24 solar projects were installed in the city and produced 2,268,744 watts.
A housing development in Vacaville is taking the concept of solar panels to the next level. Meritage Homes is building 45 energy efficiency homes with solar panels embedded in the roof tiles.
"The idea of building a home based on energy efficiency systems has been in progress for awhile, but we wanted to build our homes with technology that would be cost effective for the owners," said Jeff Jacobs, vice president of community development for Meritage Homes Corporation.
"Vacaville is a forward thinking city," he added, "and we thought it would be the right place and the right time for this kind of community."
This is the first energy efficiency residential project for Meritage Homes. The solar tile technology was developed by SunPower Corporation. The San Jose-based company has been involved in solar technology for 25 years and launched its housing division three years ago.
"Our system includes the solar tiles, the inverter that converts sun light into household electricity, the electric meter and a Web-based monitoring system," said Bill Kelly, general manager for the SunPower New Home Division.
According to Kelly, 10 other communities in California are being developed with solar technology.
"The growth industry for solar panels in California and worldwide has grown 30 to 35 percent per year," Kelly said. "The panels are now more aesthetically pleasing, and the growing concerns regarding the environment have attracted the interests of the general public."
SunPower has done away with the traditional steel and mirror design of solar panels by creating rectangular solar tiles.
The homes in Vacaville also feature tankless water heaters and automated ventilation systems that will help residents save on their utility bills.
"Residents of the homes will notice a significant reduction in their monthly utility bill from what they were used to," Jacobs said. "We hope that they consider the homes an investment that will pay off for them. Depending on your family size, with all our energy efficiency features, you can experience a 50 percent drop in your utility payments."
The emergence of solar panels is evident across Vacaville. Solar panels were installed at the City Hall building in 2003. According to Ed Huestis, transportation systems manager for Vacaville's Public Works Department, the city is the ideal market for solar panels in residential and commercial buildings.
"Our location, hours of sunlight and a population that can afford to make those kind of energy saving improvements make us an ideal location," said Huestis, who paid $20,000 to install solar panels in his own home a few years ago. "The City and County administration have been very conscious about it, and the level of awareness has definitely been raised in Vacaville."
Liz Merry, program manager for NorCal Solar, said the growing popularity of solar energy is a direct result of California's energy crisis in 2000.
"Homeowners want to save money and do something for the environment," Merry said. "The financial payback begins immediately. Solano County has very hot summers and, with that, huge electric bills. Solar energy is a very attractive alternative for its residents."
Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.
Construction begins on Dixon Genentech biotech research lab
Construction begins on Dixon biotech research lab
Genentech also expanding Vacaville manufacturing campus
Sacramento Business Journal - August 24, 2007
by Celia Lamb
Staff Writer
Construction on a new Genentech Inc. research laboratory in Dixon, about 10 miles from the company's expanding Vacaville manufacturing campus, could start within three weeks.
The 140,000-square-foot building will provide space for about 160 employees, mostly technicians and research scientists. Economic development leaders hope the company's latest growth plan will help attract more biotechnology business to Dixon.
"It's always significant when you can have a worldwide leader in a field locate in your community," said Dixon community development director David Dowswell. "Maybe it will snowball into Dixon being a biotech area."
Genentech (NYSE: DNA) conducts most of its research at its South San Francisco headquarters.
The Dixon site will give the company more space for research on cancer, immunology and disorders of tissue growth and repair, including disorders that suppress the growth of blood vessels, Kim Nguyen-Gallagher, Genentech's associate director of community and patient programs, wrote in an e-mail.
The Dixon laboratory, expected to reach full operation in 2010, would employ about 100 to 120 people at first, and increase to 160 by 2016, she said.
The company recently completed an $800 million expansion of its Vacaville manufacturing site and expects a U.S. Food and Drug Administration license to start operations in the new complex by the middle of 2009. The additions to the Vacaville campus will employ about 575 people.
The existing Vacaville campus has seven buildings with more than 427,000 square feet. It employs 940 people and churns out the cancer drugs Avastin, Rituxan and Herceptin, and the asthma drug Xolair. The expansion at the Vacaville location adds another 380,000 square feet.
Genentech bought the 13-acre Dixon site, between Gymboree Corp. and Cardinal Health Inc. distribution centers, in September. Dixon's proximity to University of California Davis appealed to Genentech, Nguyen-Gallagher said.
"Work force is always the concern in expansion of biotechnology companies," said Judy Kjelstrom, director of the university's biotechnology program. "Where are you going to find those well-trained young scientists? We have such a pool of life scientists coming out of Davis. It's a draw."
More life science doctorates graduated from the school than any other U.S. college in 2005, the most recent data available.
The availability of development-ready land, easily accessible to utilities and roads and within driving distance to South San Francisco also factored into Genentech's choice of Dixon, Nguyen-Gallagher said.
The company is working on architectural drawings for the building. Genentech has requested a permit to start grading and foundation work in about three weeks, with the goal of finishing it before the rainy season starts. The building could be occupied by 2010.
"It's moving along quite nicely, and so far we haven't hit any speed bumps," Dowswell said.
The project has excited economic development leaders in the city. The demise of the Dixon Downs horse track and commercial development proposal has left 260 acres open for development, Dowswell said.
Genentech has performed well financially this year. In the six months ended June 30, the company earned $1.45 billion, or $1.36 per share -- a 53 percent increase from $952 million, or 90 cents per share, in the first half of last year. First-half revenue increased 38 percent to $5.8 billion, from $4.2 billion.
The company's shares closed at $73.09 on Wednesday. The share price has ranged from $71.43 to $89.73 over the past year.
Genentech has no additional expansion plans in Dixon or Vacaville, Nguyen-Gallagher said. The company recently bought a 75-acre property in Hillsboro, Ore., for a packaging plant and West Coast distribution center. It started construction on a site in Singapore in June where it plans to make Lucentis, a drug for age-related macular degeneration. The company has 10,760 full-time employees.
clamb@bizjournals.com | 916-558-7866
Genentech also expanding Vacaville manufacturing campus
Sacramento Business Journal - August 24, 2007
by Celia Lamb
Staff Writer
Construction on a new Genentech Inc. research laboratory in Dixon, about 10 miles from the company's expanding Vacaville manufacturing campus, could start within three weeks.
The 140,000-square-foot building will provide space for about 160 employees, mostly technicians and research scientists. Economic development leaders hope the company's latest growth plan will help attract more biotechnology business to Dixon.
"It's always significant when you can have a worldwide leader in a field locate in your community," said Dixon community development director David Dowswell. "Maybe it will snowball into Dixon being a biotech area."
Genentech (NYSE: DNA) conducts most of its research at its South San Francisco headquarters.
The Dixon site will give the company more space for research on cancer, immunology and disorders of tissue growth and repair, including disorders that suppress the growth of blood vessels, Kim Nguyen-Gallagher, Genentech's associate director of community and patient programs, wrote in an e-mail.
The Dixon laboratory, expected to reach full operation in 2010, would employ about 100 to 120 people at first, and increase to 160 by 2016, she said.
The company recently completed an $800 million expansion of its Vacaville manufacturing site and expects a U.S. Food and Drug Administration license to start operations in the new complex by the middle of 2009. The additions to the Vacaville campus will employ about 575 people.
The existing Vacaville campus has seven buildings with more than 427,000 square feet. It employs 940 people and churns out the cancer drugs Avastin, Rituxan and Herceptin, and the asthma drug Xolair. The expansion at the Vacaville location adds another 380,000 square feet.
Genentech bought the 13-acre Dixon site, between Gymboree Corp. and Cardinal Health Inc. distribution centers, in September. Dixon's proximity to University of California Davis appealed to Genentech, Nguyen-Gallagher said.
"Work force is always the concern in expansion of biotechnology companies," said Judy Kjelstrom, director of the university's biotechnology program. "Where are you going to find those well-trained young scientists? We have such a pool of life scientists coming out of Davis. It's a draw."
More life science doctorates graduated from the school than any other U.S. college in 2005, the most recent data available.
The availability of development-ready land, easily accessible to utilities and roads and within driving distance to South San Francisco also factored into Genentech's choice of Dixon, Nguyen-Gallagher said.
The company is working on architectural drawings for the building. Genentech has requested a permit to start grading and foundation work in about three weeks, with the goal of finishing it before the rainy season starts. The building could be occupied by 2010.
"It's moving along quite nicely, and so far we haven't hit any speed bumps," Dowswell said.
The project has excited economic development leaders in the city. The demise of the Dixon Downs horse track and commercial development proposal has left 260 acres open for development, Dowswell said.
Genentech has performed well financially this year. In the six months ended June 30, the company earned $1.45 billion, or $1.36 per share -- a 53 percent increase from $952 million, or 90 cents per share, in the first half of last year. First-half revenue increased 38 percent to $5.8 billion, from $4.2 billion.
The company's shares closed at $73.09 on Wednesday. The share price has ranged from $71.43 to $89.73 over the past year.
Genentech has no additional expansion plans in Dixon or Vacaville, Nguyen-Gallagher said. The company recently bought a 75-acre property in Hillsboro, Ore., for a packaging plant and West Coast distribution center. It started construction on a site in Singapore in June where it plans to make Lucentis, a drug for age-related macular degeneration. The company has 10,760 full-time employees.
clamb@bizjournals.com | 916-558-7866
Healthy Building
Healthy Building
New Hospital Constructed With Well-Being Of Patients, Environment In Mind
By Shelly Meron/Business Writer
TheReporter.Com
Construction is still under way at the new Kaiser hospital site in Vacaville. The facility will open in spring of 2009. (David Martin Olson/The Reporter)
Many Kaiser Permanente patients in northern Solano County may already be excited about the opening of a new Kaiser hospital in Vacaville in the spring of 2009. But what they may not know is that the new medical facility is being constructed with "green" building materials, and will incorporate organic food and a farmers' market.
Kaiser spokesman Jim Caroompas said building the $500 million hospital with green materials is part of Kaiser's mission to keep patients healthy.
"We take the health of our community and environment as seriously as the health of our individual members, and that's because a healthy environment helps lead to a healthy person," he said. "All this can be done. You just have to have the willingness to do it, and Kaiser Permanente has the willingness to be a good steward of the environment as well as of our members' health."
The new facility will have 150 beds with private rooms, each painted with low-emission paint that contains less chemicals, and furnished with PVC-free, rubber flooring instead of the usual vinyl.
"It's far less toxic and it's easier on our staff, who are on their feet all day," Caroompas said of the rubber flooring.
He added that the less-toxic flooring used in the hospital is a whole new product, made especially for Kaiser. Since they initially couldn't find the flooring material they wanted, Kaiser officials approached several manufacturers and asked them to produce a PVC-free flooring product that would work for the hospital.
"It's the first in the market," Caroompas said. "It will probably turn out to be the standard in the industry."
The hospital building also utilizes a co-generation plant that will generate electricity for the hospital by capturing heat produced while heating water, reducing Kaiser's need to buy electricity. Then there are the reflective roof tops, painted in light colors so that they reflect - rather than absorb - sunlight and keep the building cooler.
Caroompas said Kaiser is also trying to improve the overall atmosphere by bringing "the outdoors in," using an interior courtyard and lots of windows.
Kaiser is trying to "get that feeling of outdoors into the facility so that it doesn't feel as institutional," Caroompas said. "When it opens, it will have a very natural feeling to it."
Other elements include recycled water, which will be used to water lawns and landscaping; recycling old ceiling tiles; sensored lighting that will turn on when someone walks into a room, and turn off when no one's around; and reusing asphalt from an old parking area for paving at the Vacaville facility.
And in another effort to be environmentally-friendly, Kaiser plans to buy organic food from local, small farmers that will be used to feed patients. Kaiser also plans to hold a weekly farmers' market at its facility - a successful program that's already in use at several of its other facilities.
Kaiser makes an effort to use and promote organic produce not only for the sake of small farmers, who Caroompas said are struggling to compete with larger, agro-business type operations, but also because it is better for patients.
"People decide how to eat and how to behave, but we like to give them options and educate people on the choices that they have," he said. "We say, 'This is what this great food looks like' and it's affordable, and we want to make it convenient."
There's also a bit of luxury in the new hospital: Each room is equipped with a private bathroom with shower, a flat-screen television, and a sofa bed for visitors.
The facility will also include a brand new pharmacy, ambulatory surgery center, and offices for as many as 60 specialty physicians. The hospital will also be equipped with Kaiser's HealthConnect electronic medical record system, which allows Kaiser doctors to view a patient's medical record no matter where they are seeing a doctor, as well as have real-time access to x-rays and the patient's prescriptions. Patients will also be able to e-mail their doctors with questions or concerns, make appointments online and refill prescriptions online.
Most importantly, Caroompas said, Vacaville-area patients will have a full-service hospital close to home.
"We're really excited about being able to provide members in northern Solano County with a state-of-the-art facility that is much needed," he said. "I think they're going to be very happy with what they see inside."
Contact Shelly Meron at business@thereporter.com.
New Hospital Constructed With Well-Being Of Patients, Environment In Mind
By Shelly Meron/Business Writer
TheReporter.Com
Construction is still under way at the new Kaiser hospital site in Vacaville. The facility will open in spring of 2009. (David Martin Olson/The Reporter)
Many Kaiser Permanente patients in northern Solano County may already be excited about the opening of a new Kaiser hospital in Vacaville in the spring of 2009. But what they may not know is that the new medical facility is being constructed with "green" building materials, and will incorporate organic food and a farmers' market.
Kaiser spokesman Jim Caroompas said building the $500 million hospital with green materials is part of Kaiser's mission to keep patients healthy.
"We take the health of our community and environment as seriously as the health of our individual members, and that's because a healthy environment helps lead to a healthy person," he said. "All this can be done. You just have to have the willingness to do it, and Kaiser Permanente has the willingness to be a good steward of the environment as well as of our members' health."
The new facility will have 150 beds with private rooms, each painted with low-emission paint that contains less chemicals, and furnished with PVC-free, rubber flooring instead of the usual vinyl.
"It's far less toxic and it's easier on our staff, who are on their feet all day," Caroompas said of the rubber flooring.
He added that the less-toxic flooring used in the hospital is a whole new product, made especially for Kaiser. Since they initially couldn't find the flooring material they wanted, Kaiser officials approached several manufacturers and asked them to produce a PVC-free flooring product that would work for the hospital.
"It's the first in the market," Caroompas said. "It will probably turn out to be the standard in the industry."
The hospital building also utilizes a co-generation plant that will generate electricity for the hospital by capturing heat produced while heating water, reducing Kaiser's need to buy electricity. Then there are the reflective roof tops, painted in light colors so that they reflect - rather than absorb - sunlight and keep the building cooler.
Caroompas said Kaiser is also trying to improve the overall atmosphere by bringing "the outdoors in," using an interior courtyard and lots of windows.
Kaiser is trying to "get that feeling of outdoors into the facility so that it doesn't feel as institutional," Caroompas said. "When it opens, it will have a very natural feeling to it."
Other elements include recycled water, which will be used to water lawns and landscaping; recycling old ceiling tiles; sensored lighting that will turn on when someone walks into a room, and turn off when no one's around; and reusing asphalt from an old parking area for paving at the Vacaville facility.
And in another effort to be environmentally-friendly, Kaiser plans to buy organic food from local, small farmers that will be used to feed patients. Kaiser also plans to hold a weekly farmers' market at its facility - a successful program that's already in use at several of its other facilities.
Kaiser makes an effort to use and promote organic produce not only for the sake of small farmers, who Caroompas said are struggling to compete with larger, agro-business type operations, but also because it is better for patients.
"People decide how to eat and how to behave, but we like to give them options and educate people on the choices that they have," he said. "We say, 'This is what this great food looks like' and it's affordable, and we want to make it convenient."
There's also a bit of luxury in the new hospital: Each room is equipped with a private bathroom with shower, a flat-screen television, and a sofa bed for visitors.
The facility will also include a brand new pharmacy, ambulatory surgery center, and offices for as many as 60 specialty physicians. The hospital will also be equipped with Kaiser's HealthConnect electronic medical record system, which allows Kaiser doctors to view a patient's medical record no matter where they are seeing a doctor, as well as have real-time access to x-rays and the patient's prescriptions. Patients will also be able to e-mail their doctors with questions or concerns, make appointments online and refill prescriptions online.
Most importantly, Caroompas said, Vacaville-area patients will have a full-service hospital close to home.
"We're really excited about being able to provide members in northern Solano County with a state-of-the-art facility that is much needed," he said. "I think they're going to be very happy with what they see inside."
Contact Shelly Meron at business@thereporter.com.
Gymboree Reports $5.8M Profit In Q2
Gymboree Reports $5.8M Profit In Q2
San Francisco Business Times - 2:39 PM PDT Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Children's clothing seller Gymboree Corp. reported a profit of $5.8 million for the second quarter, compared with a profit of just $544,000 a year ago in the same quarter.
The San Francisco company (NASDAQ: GYMB) pulled in sales of $182.4 million in the quarter, which ended Aug. 4. A year ago Gymboree had sales of $152.1 million in the second quarter.
Same store sales, which compare performance at stores open at least a year, rose 5 percent in the most recent quarter.
The company, led by CEO and Chairman Matthew McCauley, expects earnings of 84 cents to 87 cents a share for the third quarter, and $2.50 to $253 per share for the fiscal year 2007. It expects low to mid-single digit same store sales growth in the third quarter.
Gymboree had 739 stores at quarter's end.
San Francisco Business Times - 2:39 PM PDT Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Children's clothing seller Gymboree Corp. reported a profit of $5.8 million for the second quarter, compared with a profit of just $544,000 a year ago in the same quarter.
The San Francisco company (NASDAQ: GYMB) pulled in sales of $182.4 million in the quarter, which ended Aug. 4. A year ago Gymboree had sales of $152.1 million in the second quarter.
Same store sales, which compare performance at stores open at least a year, rose 5 percent in the most recent quarter.
The company, led by CEO and Chairman Matthew McCauley, expects earnings of 84 cents to 87 cents a share for the third quarter, and $2.50 to $253 per share for the fiscal year 2007. It expects low to mid-single digit same store sales growth in the third quarter.
Gymboree had 739 stores at quarter's end.
Benicia Bridge begins life in faster lanes
Benicia Bridge begins life in faster lanes
# New span will let drivers with FasTrak fly through at 55 mph
By Denis Cuff
http://www.bayareanewsgroup.com/multimedia/cct/multimedia/video/opentoll/
STAFF WRITER
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched:08/23/2007 03:05:30 AM PDT
A speedier way to cross toll bridges in California debuts this weekend when the state opens the long-overdue new Benicia Bridge.
Two approach lanes to the new bridge, which opens in phases Saturday night and Sunday morning, are designed so motorists with FasTrak tags can zip through the toll plaza at 55 mph.
Known as open tolling, the nearly milelong lanes have no toll booths that drivers must squeeze past. The lanes are surrounded by wide shoulders to provide a safety buffer against slower-moving traffic in cash-only lanes
"This is going to be a really good thing for motorists, because there will be no waiting at the toll plaza," said Randy Rentchsler, spokesman for the Bay Area Toll Authority, which along with Caltrans manages the bridge. "It's going to be something new and something very easy to use."
This will be the first open tolling on any state toll bridge in California and the first on any road in Northern California, transit planners say.
The new bridge will have five northbound lanes and wide shoulders, compared with three lanes with no shoulder on the old bridge, built in 1962.
The old bridge will be converted to southbound traffic only.
Motorists will save several minutes during the northbound afternoon commute that has made the old bridge a traffic nightmare, said Keith Wayne, a Caltrans spokesman.
On Friday afternoons, it can take at least 45 minutes to creep over the bridge and the two miles of Interstate 680 leading up to the span connecting Contra Costa and Solano counties, longtime commuters say.
Vacationers leaving the Bay Area for skiing, boating and other recreational trips aggravate the problem.
"The bridge is a bear," said Dan Smith, a Benicia resident who works in Martinez. "I have spent 40 minutes getting to the bridge and another 20 minutes trying to get over it."
He said the FasTrak-only lane on the old bridge is of little use because it starts about 300 feet from toll plaza.
On the new bridge, the open tolling lanes for Fastrak users will start 4,300 feet from the toll plaza.
As motorists zip through the toll plaza, an electronic device high above the lanes will read the FasTrak tags on each car and deduct the toll from the driver's account.
Open-tolling lanes are widely used in some Southern and Midwestern states that have built new highway sections in the past 10 to 15 years, said Rod McMillan, a manager at the Bay Area Toll Authority.
Bay Area bridge operators plan to study the results of the first open-tolling lanes to determine whether they are appropriate for other bridges, McMillan said.
"It's a real challenge to retrofit an existing bridge with open-tolling lanes because you have to blend the high-speed traffic with the slower-moving traffic (in cash-only lanes)," he said.
The new Benicia Bridge is a good place to debut the new lanes because it has a long, fairly flat approach.
McMillan said new message signs on the bridge approach will give motorists advance notice that FasTrak customers should move to the left and cash-paying customers to the right.
"We expect there will be a little confusion at first," McMillan said, "but we expect people to catch on pretty quickly."
Reach Denis Cuff at 925-943-8267 or dcuff@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Bridge Highlights
# OFFICIAL NAME: George Miller Bridge, named after U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, by a vote of the California Legislature.
# CAPACITY: Five lanes of northbound traffic with emergency shoulders.
Old span will be remain in place and be converted to southbound-only traffic. Old span will be fixed to have four lanes for cars and a new bicycle and pedestrian lane.
# COST: $1.2 billion for bridge and related contracts, more than four times Caltrans' 1995 estimate of $266 million.
# TOLL PLAZA: Will be located on the south side of bridge, unlike the old bridge, so any congestion at the toll plaza doesn't back up onto the bridge.
# BRIDGE TYPE: Cast-in-place balanced cantilever segmental bridge.
# LANE CONFIGURATION TO TOLL PLAZA: A car pool lane and two open-tolling lanes for fast traffic are to the far left. Other lanes that accept cash or FasTrak will be to the right.
# SIZE: Main span is 1.4 miles long, or 1.6 miles including approaches.
dedication ceremonies:
# 9:30 a.m. Saturday -- Public dedication ceremony at Martinez Regional Shoreline Park, 7 N. Court St., in downtown Martinez.
# 10 a.m. -- Only 300 vehicles issued special placards will be allowed to drive across the bridge with a police escort. All placards have been issued, and no more will be issued.
# 11 a.m. -- Second dedication ceremony will be held at the Benicia Overlook, 2055 Park Road, Benicia. From Walnut Creek, take I-680 north. Exit at Bayshore Road. Turn left onto Bayshore Road and then left onto Park Road. Follow the signs to the event.
# New span will let drivers with FasTrak fly through at 55 mph
By Denis Cuff
http://www.bayareanewsgroup.com/multimedia/cct/multimedia/video/opentoll/
STAFF WRITER
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched:08/23/2007 03:05:30 AM PDT
A speedier way to cross toll bridges in California debuts this weekend when the state opens the long-overdue new Benicia Bridge.
Two approach lanes to the new bridge, which opens in phases Saturday night and Sunday morning, are designed so motorists with FasTrak tags can zip through the toll plaza at 55 mph.
Known as open tolling, the nearly milelong lanes have no toll booths that drivers must squeeze past. The lanes are surrounded by wide shoulders to provide a safety buffer against slower-moving traffic in cash-only lanes
"This is going to be a really good thing for motorists, because there will be no waiting at the toll plaza," said Randy Rentchsler, spokesman for the Bay Area Toll Authority, which along with Caltrans manages the bridge. "It's going to be something new and something very easy to use."
This will be the first open tolling on any state toll bridge in California and the first on any road in Northern California, transit planners say.
The new bridge will have five northbound lanes and wide shoulders, compared with three lanes with no shoulder on the old bridge, built in 1962.
The old bridge will be converted to southbound traffic only.
Motorists will save several minutes during the northbound afternoon commute that has made the old bridge a traffic nightmare, said Keith Wayne, a Caltrans spokesman.
On Friday afternoons, it can take at least 45 minutes to creep over the bridge and the two miles of Interstate 680 leading up to the span connecting Contra Costa and Solano counties, longtime commuters say.
Vacationers leaving the Bay Area for skiing, boating and other recreational trips aggravate the problem.
"The bridge is a bear," said Dan Smith, a Benicia resident who works in Martinez. "I have spent 40 minutes getting to the bridge and another 20 minutes trying to get over it."
He said the FasTrak-only lane on the old bridge is of little use because it starts about 300 feet from toll plaza.
On the new bridge, the open tolling lanes for Fastrak users will start 4,300 feet from the toll plaza.
As motorists zip through the toll plaza, an electronic device high above the lanes will read the FasTrak tags on each car and deduct the toll from the driver's account.
Open-tolling lanes are widely used in some Southern and Midwestern states that have built new highway sections in the past 10 to 15 years, said Rod McMillan, a manager at the Bay Area Toll Authority.
Bay Area bridge operators plan to study the results of the first open-tolling lanes to determine whether they are appropriate for other bridges, McMillan said.
"It's a real challenge to retrofit an existing bridge with open-tolling lanes because you have to blend the high-speed traffic with the slower-moving traffic (in cash-only lanes)," he said.
The new Benicia Bridge is a good place to debut the new lanes because it has a long, fairly flat approach.
McMillan said new message signs on the bridge approach will give motorists advance notice that FasTrak customers should move to the left and cash-paying customers to the right.
"We expect there will be a little confusion at first," McMillan said, "but we expect people to catch on pretty quickly."
Reach Denis Cuff at 925-943-8267 or dcuff@bayareanewsgroup.com.
Bridge Highlights
# OFFICIAL NAME: George Miller Bridge, named after U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, by a vote of the California Legislature.
# CAPACITY: Five lanes of northbound traffic with emergency shoulders.
Old span will be remain in place and be converted to southbound-only traffic. Old span will be fixed to have four lanes for cars and a new bicycle and pedestrian lane.
# COST: $1.2 billion for bridge and related contracts, more than four times Caltrans' 1995 estimate of $266 million.
# TOLL PLAZA: Will be located on the south side of bridge, unlike the old bridge, so any congestion at the toll plaza doesn't back up onto the bridge.
# BRIDGE TYPE: Cast-in-place balanced cantilever segmental bridge.
# LANE CONFIGURATION TO TOLL PLAZA: A car pool lane and two open-tolling lanes for fast traffic are to the far left. Other lanes that accept cash or FasTrak will be to the right.
# SIZE: Main span is 1.4 miles long, or 1.6 miles including approaches.
dedication ceremonies:
# 9:30 a.m. Saturday -- Public dedication ceremony at Martinez Regional Shoreline Park, 7 N. Court St., in downtown Martinez.
# 10 a.m. -- Only 300 vehicles issued special placards will be allowed to drive across the bridge with a police escort. All placards have been issued, and no more will be issued.
# 11 a.m. -- Second dedication ceremony will be held at the Benicia Overlook, 2055 Park Road, Benicia. From Walnut Creek, take I-680 north. Exit at Bayshore Road. Turn left onto Bayshore Road and then left onto Park Road. Follow the signs to the event.
Waterfront Plans Contrary To Suisun City Style
Waterfront Plans Contrary To Suisun City Style
Italian Theme Developers' Dream
Weeds grow on one of the last vacant lots on Suisun City’s waterfront, located just south of the Suisun City Marina. Local developers plan to give the property an Italian touch to attract more people. Photo by Brad Zweerink
By Ian Thompson
SUISUN CITY - Three Suisun City developers want to bring a little bit of Italy to the waterfront.
Shane Ballman, James Jensen and Jim Pitcher are proposing to use that style for their mixed-use development to entice more people to the stores and restaurant they want to build.
The three are now negotiating with Suisun City's Redevelopment Agency to build on one of the city's last vacant waterfront sites, which is located next to the former Adams Marine building on Kellogg Street.
"To make this a destination point, this has to stand out," Pitcher said. "We want this to look like a little Italy."
Until to now, Suisun City's redevelopment plans stressed keeping to a relatively uniform Victorian theme for downtown residential and commercial development.
On Thursday, the developers fleshed out initial plans they announced four months ago, saying they want to build small shops, an Italian-style restaurant and condominiums on the site.
Earlier this month, the developers submitted a site plan and architectural concepts to the city. In early September, the city expects them to show proof they have the financial capability to build the project.
The developers are now talking with potential retail tenants that include a winery, a local restaurant owner, a farmers market outlet and a hair salon/day spa owner.
"We would also like to see a nautical-themed sports bar," Ballman said.
The Suisun City Council approved entering exclusive negotiations in early April in a 3-2 vote despite a request by councilmembers Mike Segala and Sam Derting to put out a call for inquiries from any interested developers.
This followed a city study of the area that supported building commercial development, adding more boat slips, relocating the fuel dock and creating a new fishing pier.
Three years ago, the developers had talked with the city's redevelopment agency about building eight live-work homes on the land.
They got shot down after the council decided to instead negotiate with Adams Marine owner Bill Adams about expanding his business, a proposal that later fell through.
Jensen is confident that the development will get the financing needed to start building and is sure the development will bring more foot traffic that the city desires.
"The key is getting the right combination of businesses," Jensen said. "We are trying to create a good bookend to that side of the waterfront."
Reach Ian Thompson at 427-6976 or at ithompson@dailyrepublic.net.
Italian Theme Developers' Dream
Weeds grow on one of the last vacant lots on Suisun City’s waterfront, located just south of the Suisun City Marina. Local developers plan to give the property an Italian touch to attract more people. Photo by Brad Zweerink
By Ian Thompson
SUISUN CITY - Three Suisun City developers want to bring a little bit of Italy to the waterfront.
Shane Ballman, James Jensen and Jim Pitcher are proposing to use that style for their mixed-use development to entice more people to the stores and restaurant they want to build.
The three are now negotiating with Suisun City's Redevelopment Agency to build on one of the city's last vacant waterfront sites, which is located next to the former Adams Marine building on Kellogg Street.
"To make this a destination point, this has to stand out," Pitcher said. "We want this to look like a little Italy."
Until to now, Suisun City's redevelopment plans stressed keeping to a relatively uniform Victorian theme for downtown residential and commercial development.
On Thursday, the developers fleshed out initial plans they announced four months ago, saying they want to build small shops, an Italian-style restaurant and condominiums on the site.
Earlier this month, the developers submitted a site plan and architectural concepts to the city. In early September, the city expects them to show proof they have the financial capability to build the project.
The developers are now talking with potential retail tenants that include a winery, a local restaurant owner, a farmers market outlet and a hair salon/day spa owner.
"We would also like to see a nautical-themed sports bar," Ballman said.
The Suisun City Council approved entering exclusive negotiations in early April in a 3-2 vote despite a request by councilmembers Mike Segala and Sam Derting to put out a call for inquiries from any interested developers.
This followed a city study of the area that supported building commercial development, adding more boat slips, relocating the fuel dock and creating a new fishing pier.
Three years ago, the developers had talked with the city's redevelopment agency about building eight live-work homes on the land.
They got shot down after the council decided to instead negotiate with Adams Marine owner Bill Adams about expanding his business, a proposal that later fell through.
Jensen is confident that the development will get the financing needed to start building and is sure the development will bring more foot traffic that the city desires.
"The key is getting the right combination of businesses," Jensen said. "We are trying to create a good bookend to that side of the waterfront."
Reach Ian Thompson at 427-6976 or at ithompson@dailyrepublic.net.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Barista Cafe and Deli and the Suisun Valley Wine Exchange Opens
August 24, 2007
Family offers deli food to go along with wine
By Ines Bebea
Giselle Vezer, general manager for the Barista Cafe and Deli and the Suisun Valley Wine Exchange, walks past what will become a tasting room at Mankas Corner on Thursday. (Photo by Zachary Kaufman)
SUISUN VALLEY - The latest business to open its doors in Suisun Valley is combining two pastimes: food and wine.
The Vezer family, owners of Vezer Family Vineyards in Suisun Valley, will host a soft opening for their Barista Cafe and Deli, and their Suisun Valley Wine Exchange this weekend.
Located near the intersection of Mankas Corner Road and Abernathy Road, the deli will carry an assortment of sandwiches, meats, cheeses, pastries and gourmet coffees.
"Our goal is to become a destination in the valley, and add to what the other tasting rooms, restaurants and businesses are already contributing to the area," said general manager Giselle Vezer.
On Thursday, the final touches were being added to the driveway, deli and parking lot. The tasting room will not be open this weekend. Vezer said the family is still waiting to receive the necessary Alcoholic Beverage Control permit.
"This location is perfect because we are in the middle of a growing Valley," Vezer said. "The are many possibilities, and the valley has great potential."
The family decided to build the tasting room off its property after attempts to have it in the vineyard were unsuccessful.
The grand opening will include performances by the Sound Bites, giveaways from Jelly Belly and works by a water color artist.
"We really want to give people a special place to visit, eat, drink and enjoy the outdoors," Vezer said. "The larger wine tours are big and sometimes feel like rushed job. Our goal is to make the experience more intimate."
The official grand opening will be in September to coincide with the second day of the Suisun Valley Fun Family Farm Days.
Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.
At a glance
Vezer tasting Room and deli
Barista Cafe and Deli
429-3935
Suisun Valley Wine Exchange
429-3958
2522 Mankas Corner Road
Suisun Valley
Family offers deli food to go along with wine
By Ines Bebea
Giselle Vezer, general manager for the Barista Cafe and Deli and the Suisun Valley Wine Exchange, walks past what will become a tasting room at Mankas Corner on Thursday. (Photo by Zachary Kaufman)
SUISUN VALLEY - The latest business to open its doors in Suisun Valley is combining two pastimes: food and wine.
The Vezer family, owners of Vezer Family Vineyards in Suisun Valley, will host a soft opening for their Barista Cafe and Deli, and their Suisun Valley Wine Exchange this weekend.
Located near the intersection of Mankas Corner Road and Abernathy Road, the deli will carry an assortment of sandwiches, meats, cheeses, pastries and gourmet coffees.
"Our goal is to become a destination in the valley, and add to what the other tasting rooms, restaurants and businesses are already contributing to the area," said general manager Giselle Vezer.
On Thursday, the final touches were being added to the driveway, deli and parking lot. The tasting room will not be open this weekend. Vezer said the family is still waiting to receive the necessary Alcoholic Beverage Control permit.
"This location is perfect because we are in the middle of a growing Valley," Vezer said. "The are many possibilities, and the valley has great potential."
The family decided to build the tasting room off its property after attempts to have it in the vineyard were unsuccessful.
The grand opening will include performances by the Sound Bites, giveaways from Jelly Belly and works by a water color artist.
"We really want to give people a special place to visit, eat, drink and enjoy the outdoors," Vezer said. "The larger wine tours are big and sometimes feel like rushed job. Our goal is to make the experience more intimate."
The official grand opening will be in September to coincide with the second day of the Suisun Valley Fun Family Farm Days.
Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.
At a glance
Vezer tasting Room and deli
Barista Cafe and Deli
429-3935
Suisun Valley Wine Exchange
429-3958
2522 Mankas Corner Road
Suisun Valley
Construction on a new Genentech Inc. research laboratory in Dixon could start within three weeks
Construction begins on Dixon biotech research lab
Genentech also expanding Vacaville manufacturing campus
Sacramento Business Journal - August 27, 2007
by Celia Lamb
Staff Writer
Construction on a new Genentech Inc. research laboratory in Dixon, about 10 miles from the company's expanding Vacaville manufacturing campus, could start within three weeks.
The 140,000-square-foot building will provide space for about 160 employees, mostly technicians and research scientists. Economic development leaders hope the company's latest growth plan will help attract more biotechnology business to Dixon.
Genentech also expanding Vacaville manufacturing campus
Sacramento Business Journal - August 27, 2007
by Celia Lamb
Staff Writer
Construction on a new Genentech Inc. research laboratory in Dixon, about 10 miles from the company's expanding Vacaville manufacturing campus, could start within three weeks.
The 140,000-square-foot building will provide space for about 160 employees, mostly technicians and research scientists. Economic development leaders hope the company's latest growth plan will help attract more biotechnology business to Dixon.
Bay Area's first open-road tolling at new Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Bay Area's first open-road tolling at new Benicia-Martinez Bridge
Michael Cabanatuan, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, August 24, 2007
(08-23) 13:30 PDT MARTINEZ -- The big deal about the $1.2 billion Benicia-Martinez Bridge - which is expected to open this weekend - isn't the 1.6 mile-long, five-lane bridge. It's the toll plaza. And the main attraction is not what's at the plaza but what's missing.
The three left-most northbound lanes - one carpool lane and two FasTrak lanes - lack tollbooths or any sort of barrier or reason to slow down. For the first time in the Bay Area, motorists will be able to pay their tolls without taking their feet off the gas.
The two lanes, known as FasTrak Express lanes, mark the arrival in the Bay Area of open-road tolling, a new type of electronic collection that relies on overhead antennas, cameras, strobe lights and other high-tech gadgetry to read FasTrak toll tags, determine types of vehicles and deduct the appropriate tolls from prepaid accounts.
"This is the wave of the future," said John Goodwin, spokesman for the Bay Area Toll Authority.
Toll booths aren't disappearing, however - at least not anytime soon. There are no plans to tear out toll booths at other Bay Area bridges, said Rod McMillan, director of bridge oversight and operations for the Bay Area Toll Authority.
"We're going to start an evaluation of other bridges to see where (open-road tolling) might fit," he said. "But we want to get used to it here first and see how it works."
At the new toll plaza, built on the Martinez end of the span, the nine traditional lanes equipped with toll booths and electronic toll collection devices are grouped to the right. Drivers can hand over their bills and coins there or slow down and roll through, letting FasTrak collect their toll electronically.
But the lanes on the left are where toll-taking is changing. Separated from the booths by a concrete barrier, and surrounded by 20-foot shoulders, are two FasTrak Express lanes. Drivers using the lanes simply keep driving and let the new technology - mounted overhead - do the work. The speed limit is 55 mph.
Unlike existing FasTrak lanes.....
to read the rest of the article check out the San Francisco Chronicle
E-mail Michael Cabanatuan at mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com.
Michael Cabanatuan, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, August 24, 2007
(08-23) 13:30 PDT MARTINEZ -- The big deal about the $1.2 billion Benicia-Martinez Bridge - which is expected to open this weekend - isn't the 1.6 mile-long, five-lane bridge. It's the toll plaza. And the main attraction is not what's at the plaza but what's missing.
The three left-most northbound lanes - one carpool lane and two FasTrak lanes - lack tollbooths or any sort of barrier or reason to slow down. For the first time in the Bay Area, motorists will be able to pay their tolls without taking their feet off the gas.
The two lanes, known as FasTrak Express lanes, mark the arrival in the Bay Area of open-road tolling, a new type of electronic collection that relies on overhead antennas, cameras, strobe lights and other high-tech gadgetry to read FasTrak toll tags, determine types of vehicles and deduct the appropriate tolls from prepaid accounts.
"This is the wave of the future," said John Goodwin, spokesman for the Bay Area Toll Authority.
Toll booths aren't disappearing, however - at least not anytime soon. There are no plans to tear out toll booths at other Bay Area bridges, said Rod McMillan, director of bridge oversight and operations for the Bay Area Toll Authority.
"We're going to start an evaluation of other bridges to see where (open-road tolling) might fit," he said. "But we want to get used to it here first and see how it works."
At the new toll plaza, built on the Martinez end of the span, the nine traditional lanes equipped with toll booths and electronic toll collection devices are grouped to the right. Drivers can hand over their bills and coins there or slow down and roll through, letting FasTrak collect their toll electronically.
But the lanes on the left are where toll-taking is changing. Separated from the booths by a concrete barrier, and surrounded by 20-foot shoulders, are two FasTrak Express lanes. Drivers using the lanes simply keep driving and let the new technology - mounted overhead - do the work. The speed limit is 55 mph.
Unlike existing FasTrak lanes.....
to read the rest of the article check out the San Francisco Chronicle
E-mail Michael Cabanatuan at mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
UC Davis School of Law has received more than $2 million in leadership gifts
University of California, Davis
August 29, 2006
DONORS KICK OFF LAW SCHOOL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
The UC Davis School of Law is gaining some early momentum in its new building fundraising campaign.
This summer, the School of Law has received more than $2 million in leadership gifts toward its initiative to remake the School of Law.
Those gifts were celebrated last week with an event that included donors, students, faculty and a generous amount of spray paint.
Bright white, spray-painted lines and clusters of balloons marked the proposed new building's boundaries. The plan for the remade facility includes a significant expansion toward the Mrak Hall traffic circle, and a new "front door" that faces east, allowing easy access to Mrak Hall Drive.
Guests expressed excitement at the prospects of seeing major changes at King Hall, which has not had a significant structural update since it was built in 1969.
"This campaign will enable the School of Law to offer superior training for these young lawyers who will be populating our legal community," said Yeoryios Apallas '72, who facilitated a $1.5 million gift from the William and Inez Mabie Family Foundation toward the building campaign. The school's library will be renamed the Mabie Law Library.
UC Davis and the state are funding greater than two-thirds of the total building cost of $30 million, but campus officials are relying on donors to supply the remaining funds.
"Private support is crucially important to this campaign," said Rex Perschbacher, the school's dean. "It bridges the funding gap and allows us to build facilities that are critical to our future in educating the highest quality legal scholars."
The campaign's fundraising goal is set at $8 million. In addition to the William and Inez Mabie Family Foundation, leading donors include:
alumni Thomas Stallard '75 and his wife Meg; Philip Satre '75 and his wife Jennifer; Patrick Emery '74 and his wife Allison; Steve Machtinger '74 and his wife Susan; and Joseph Bernstein '74. In addition, Sue Wilkins, whose late husband, federal Judge Philip Charles Wilkins, was involved with the UC Davis School of Law in its moot court program and other activities, is a major donor to the campaign.
Philanthropic support for the School of Law increased dramatically in the 2005-06 fiscal year that ended June 30. The Annual Fund increased 40 percent from the previous year and surpassed the goal of $200,000.
The 2006 Graduating Class Gift program also set record-breaking levels, raising more than $12,000 from 101 class members who represented 52 percent of the students.
Marc Fernandez, law student and Law Student Association president, thanked those who supported the school and challenged the school's alumni and future students to give back to the school through donations and volunteering. "This school retains a special place in the hearts of all those who have passed through these walls. I ask that all of us remember King Hall in every way possible." Fernandez stated.
Law school leadership has set a goal to be the best, small public law school in the nation. Consistently appearing in the top tier of the U.S. News and World Report rankings, the school's academic program is progressive, with intellectual property programs, legislative and public interest offerings, bioethics law, and immigration and human rights law joining the school's established strengths in international law, environmental law, and corporate and public law.
The school also has a strong commitment to public service through the operation of its law clinics and its library, which serves as a regional resource for free legal information to the public.
The law building, King Hall, is named after the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and reflects the school's commitment to providing a comprehensive legal education marked by high ethical standards. The building name will remain the same after the expansion, and the new light and open style set out in the building plans is designed to reflect the public spirit of the school.
Media contact(s):
* Julia Ann Easley, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-8248, jaeasley@ucdavis.edu
------------------------------------------------
Our full UC Davis directory of media services and 24-hour contact information is available at.
------------------------------------------------
Need information from campus news archives? The UC Davis News Service database contains past (and current) UC Davis news stories dating to 1991. Go to
-------------------------------------------------
More university news and an experts directory:
-------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, please send an e-mail message to newsservice@ucdavis.edu.
August 29, 2006
DONORS KICK OFF LAW SCHOOL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
The UC Davis School of Law is gaining some early momentum in its new building fundraising campaign.
This summer, the School of Law has received more than $2 million in leadership gifts toward its initiative to remake the School of Law.
Those gifts were celebrated last week with an event that included donors, students, faculty and a generous amount of spray paint.
Bright white, spray-painted lines and clusters of balloons marked the proposed new building's boundaries. The plan for the remade facility includes a significant expansion toward the Mrak Hall traffic circle, and a new "front door" that faces east, allowing easy access to Mrak Hall Drive.
Guests expressed excitement at the prospects of seeing major changes at King Hall, which has not had a significant structural update since it was built in 1969.
"This campaign will enable the School of Law to offer superior training for these young lawyers who will be populating our legal community," said Yeoryios Apallas '72, who facilitated a $1.5 million gift from the William and Inez Mabie Family Foundation toward the building campaign. The school's library will be renamed the Mabie Law Library.
UC Davis and the state are funding greater than two-thirds of the total building cost of $30 million, but campus officials are relying on donors to supply the remaining funds.
"Private support is crucially important to this campaign," said Rex Perschbacher, the school's dean. "It bridges the funding gap and allows us to build facilities that are critical to our future in educating the highest quality legal scholars."
The campaign's fundraising goal is set at $8 million. In addition to the William and Inez Mabie Family Foundation, leading donors include:
alumni Thomas Stallard '75 and his wife Meg; Philip Satre '75 and his wife Jennifer; Patrick Emery '74 and his wife Allison; Steve Machtinger '74 and his wife Susan; and Joseph Bernstein '74. In addition, Sue Wilkins, whose late husband, federal Judge Philip Charles Wilkins, was involved with the UC Davis School of Law in its moot court program and other activities, is a major donor to the campaign.
Philanthropic support for the School of Law increased dramatically in the 2005-06 fiscal year that ended June 30. The Annual Fund increased 40 percent from the previous year and surpassed the goal of $200,000.
The 2006 Graduating Class Gift program also set record-breaking levels, raising more than $12,000 from 101 class members who represented 52 percent of the students.
Marc Fernandez, law student and Law Student Association president, thanked those who supported the school and challenged the school's alumni and future students to give back to the school through donations and volunteering. "This school retains a special place in the hearts of all those who have passed through these walls. I ask that all of us remember King Hall in every way possible." Fernandez stated.
Law school leadership has set a goal to be the best, small public law school in the nation. Consistently appearing in the top tier of the U.S. News and World Report rankings, the school's academic program is progressive, with intellectual property programs, legislative and public interest offerings, bioethics law, and immigration and human rights law joining the school's established strengths in international law, environmental law, and corporate and public law.
The school also has a strong commitment to public service through the operation of its law clinics and its library, which serves as a regional resource for free legal information to the public.
The law building, King Hall, is named after the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and reflects the school's commitment to providing a comprehensive legal education marked by high ethical standards. The building name will remain the same after the expansion, and the new light and open style set out in the building plans is designed to reflect the public spirit of the school.
Media contact(s):
* Julia Ann Easley, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-8248, jaeasley@ucdavis.edu
------------------------------------------------
Our full UC Davis directory of media services and 24-hour contact information is available at
------------------------------------------------
Need information from campus news archives? The UC Davis News Service database contains past (and current) UC Davis news stories dating to 1991. Go to
-------------------------------------------------
More university news and an experts directory:
-------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, please send an e-mail message to newsservice@ucdavis.edu.
Geneticist Ken Burtis has been appointed dean of the College of Biological Sciences at UC Davis
University of California, Davis
July 20, 2006
DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES NAMED
[Editor's note: A hi-res photo of Ken Burtis is available. Please contact Andy Fell (info below).]
Geneticist Ken Burtis has been appointed dean of the College of Biological Sciences at UC Davis, after serving nearly a year as interim dean. Burtis, a professor in the Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, will serve a three-year term.
The UC Board of Regents approved the appointment at its July 19 meeting; Burtis' start date was July 1.
"Ken's dedication to the highest quality for the college's teaching, research and service obligations is absolute," said UC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef. "He is exactly the right person to lead the collaborative cross-campus thinking that will enable his relatively new college -- and the entire campus -- to prosper."
Burtis, who has been serving as interim dean of the college since Aug. 1, 2005, said he was pleased to be able to serve the university as dean.
"I've been a student, staff member, a member of the faculty and an administrator at this university," he said, "and I think I have a broad view of the campus."
Many of the college's research and teaching programs extend across campus, both literally and in contacts with other schools and colleges, Burtis noted.
"I'm committed to supporting and strengthening research collaborations between college faculty and those from the other schools and colleges, through initiatives such as the Genome Center and the neuroscience campus in south Davis," Burtis said.
Another priority is the development of innovative approaches to teaching in the biological sciences. Burtis authored a $1.8 million grant to UC Davis from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which includes support for undergraduate teaching initiatives, and has twice participated in the HHMI-sponsored National Academy of Sciences' Summer Institute on Undergraduate Education in Biology.
Burtis earned his bachelor's degree in biochemistry from UC Davis in
1976 and worked for Professor Roy Doi as a research associate. He earned a doctorate in biochemistry from Stanford University Medical School in 1985 and conducted postdoctoral research in molecular genetics at Stanford, before returning to UC Davis as an assistant professor of genetics in 1988.
He has served as chair of the Genetics Graduate Group, vice chair of the Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology and associate director of the UC Davis Genome Center. Before taking up the post as interim dean of the new college, he was associate dean for undergraduate academic programs in the Division of Biological Sciences.
Burtis' research involves development, sex determination and DNA repair in the Drosophila fly, a model organism central to the study of genetics. He was a participant in the Drosophila genome project.
The College of Biological Sciences was created in July 2005 from the 35-year-old Division of Biological Sciences, making UC Davis one of the few universities in the country to organize research and teaching in basic biology into a single college. The college currently has 139 faculty, 400 staff, approximately 5,000 undergraduate and 450 graduate students, and more than 24,000 alumni. It has an annual budget of approximately $68 million. College researchers currently hold about $110 million in grant awards, including multiyear grants.
As dean of the College of Biological Sciences, Burtis will earn an annual salary of $182,200.
Media contact(s):
* Andy Fell, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-4533, ahfell@ucdavis.edu
------------------------------------------------
Our full UC Davis directory of media services and 24-hour contact information is available at.
------------------------------------------------
Need information from campus news archives? The UC Davis News Service database contains past (and current) UC Davis news stories dating to 1991. Go to
July 20, 2006
DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES NAMED
[Editor's note: A hi-res photo of Ken Burtis is available. Please contact Andy Fell (info below).]
Geneticist Ken Burtis has been appointed dean of the College of Biological Sciences at UC Davis, after serving nearly a year as interim dean. Burtis, a professor in the Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, will serve a three-year term.
The UC Board of Regents approved the appointment at its July 19 meeting; Burtis' start date was July 1.
"Ken's dedication to the highest quality for the college's teaching, research and service obligations is absolute," said UC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef. "He is exactly the right person to lead the collaborative cross-campus thinking that will enable his relatively new college -- and the entire campus -- to prosper."
Burtis, who has been serving as interim dean of the college since Aug. 1, 2005, said he was pleased to be able to serve the university as dean.
"I've been a student, staff member, a member of the faculty and an administrator at this university," he said, "and I think I have a broad view of the campus."
Many of the college's research and teaching programs extend across campus, both literally and in contacts with other schools and colleges, Burtis noted.
"I'm committed to supporting and strengthening research collaborations between college faculty and those from the other schools and colleges, through initiatives such as the Genome Center and the neuroscience campus in south Davis," Burtis said.
Another priority is the development of innovative approaches to teaching in the biological sciences. Burtis authored a $1.8 million grant to UC Davis from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which includes support for undergraduate teaching initiatives, and has twice participated in the HHMI-sponsored National Academy of Sciences' Summer Institute on Undergraduate Education in Biology.
Burtis earned his bachelor's degree in biochemistry from UC Davis in
1976 and worked for Professor Roy Doi as a research associate. He earned a doctorate in biochemistry from Stanford University Medical School in 1985 and conducted postdoctoral research in molecular genetics at Stanford, before returning to UC Davis as an assistant professor of genetics in 1988.
He has served as chair of the Genetics Graduate Group, vice chair of the Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology and associate director of the UC Davis Genome Center. Before taking up the post as interim dean of the new college, he was associate dean for undergraduate academic programs in the Division of Biological Sciences.
Burtis' research involves development, sex determination and DNA repair in the Drosophila fly, a model organism central to the study of genetics. He was a participant in the Drosophila genome project.
The College of Biological Sciences was created in July 2005 from the 35-year-old Division of Biological Sciences, making UC Davis one of the few universities in the country to organize research and teaching in basic biology into a single college. The college currently has 139 faculty, 400 staff, approximately 5,000 undergraduate and 450 graduate students, and more than 24,000 alumni. It has an annual budget of approximately $68 million. College researchers currently hold about $110 million in grant awards, including multiyear grants.
As dean of the College of Biological Sciences, Burtis will earn an annual salary of $182,200.
Media contact(s):
* Andy Fell, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-4533, ahfell@ucdavis.edu
------------------------------------------------
Our full UC Davis directory of media services and 24-hour contact information is available at
------------------------------------------------
Need information from campus news archives? The UC Davis News Service database contains past (and current) UC Davis news stories dating to 1991. Go to
Solano County Board of Supervisors approved a $4 million plan to turn the old library building on Texas Street into conference
August 15, 2007
Historic library being converted
By Ben Antonius
The old library building on Texas Street will serve a new purpose after the Solano County Board of Supervisors approved a $4 million plan to convert it into a conference center. Photo by Zachary Kaufman
FAIRFIELD - The Solano County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $4 million plan to turn the old library building on Texas Street into a meeting and conference center.
Supervisor Barbara Kondylis was the only board member to vote against the plan, which would involve converting the building to house several offices, a food dispensing area and four conference rooms ranging in capacity from 30 to 200.
"I feel like we're drunken sailors the way we're spending money . . . with no consideration of unmet needs," Kondylis said. County Administrator Michael Johnson defended the project by saying it would fill a need for large meeting space, which he said is in high demand.
Using the historic building for meeting space would allow public access to an historic building, has the potential to generate revenue and is one of the least intrusive alternatives in terms of disrupting existing interior improvements, County Architect Kanon Artiche said.
There have been many suggestions over the years for what should happen to the library, which despite its age is not listed on any historic registries. Among the past suggestions were demolition, relocation to another site, use as a law library and use as retail or restaurant space.
The Solano County Historical Society had been lobbying for the museum idea, but that withered after it was estimated to take $5 million to renovate the building and turn it into a museum. Supervisors didn't want the county to foot the bill alone, and a viable business plan was never developed.
Vallejo resident Donald Tipton and Suisun City resident George Guynn complained the county seemed to have demanded more of other proposals for the building than it has of the conference center idea.
"I really think it's sad the historical society didn't get their project," Guynn said. "You're talking about spending $4 million, yet you nickle-and-dimed the historical society to death."
With the vote, $400,000 will be spent on design, engineering and construction management with San Jose-based Gilbane Building Company. The $4.1 million budget for the project is based on construction starting in June 2008 and being finished by March 2009.
Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.
Supes OK coversion of Old Library
County leaders authorize up to $4.5 million to convert the building into a conference center with meeting rooms.
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
Article Launched: 08/15/2007 07:00:14 AM PDT
The 76-year-old county library building, now out of use and in the shadow of the new towering county government center in downtown Fairfield, has been home to countless tenants.
Now, the Old Library is likely to have a new future, thanks to a vote Tuesday by the Solano County Board of Supervisors.
Plans are for the historic building to house conference and meetings rooms for county use following a 4-1 vote by the supervisors to spend a maximum $4.5 million converting the two-story, 11,000-square-foot building.
Supervisor Barbara Kondylis cast the dissenting vote, saying the county should look to using the money on other ventures such as a family law center.
"I feel like drunken sailors the way we're spending money," Kondylis said before the vote. "This is totally staff-driven. We need to look at it a little more intellectually and (be) less emotional."
The old library, adjacent to the government center on Texas Street, is needed for wide-scale training of county employees taking place throughout the year, staffers said.
Although the government center houses numerous meeting rooms, none of them has a capacity of more than 75 people. New rooms in the library building, according to plans, would have greater capacity.
Included in the plans are three meeting rooms, a food catering element, ADA-compliant restrooms and an elevator on the first floor.
The second story would feature three private offices, an open office area, more restrooms and another conference room. Also included in improvements is a new heating and air conditioning system.
What will be contained in the building wasn't a problem for most of the supervisors, but some did question whether or not the public would have access to use these rooms and services.
There were also discussions on what kind of landscaping would surround the building.
County staff hadn't fully addressed the issue of public access, but will be exploring the option at the supervisors' request.
"It sounds like there isn't a clear picture of how this building will be used," Supervisor Jim Spering said.
Supervisor John Silva said the rooms should be rented out and the revenue should be used for maintaining the building so that the county doesn't have to dip into the general fund.
The news of the conversion won't make some Solano County historians happy. A group, known as the Solano County Historical Society, had petitioned the board to turn the building into a museum. The group submitted a business plan at the board's request, but had issues raising the millions of dollars it needed.
Betty Davis, who represents what is now known as the Solano History Exploration Center, said even though its desired location isn't available, the group isn't giving up its dream for a museum.
"We're still out there," Davis said. "It takes time, it takes money, it takes people and effort."
Supervisor John Vasquez said there may be a way to incorporate historical items in the new building by setting up display cases or other exhibits.
Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.
Historic library being converted
By Ben Antonius
The old library building on Texas Street will serve a new purpose after the Solano County Board of Supervisors approved a $4 million plan to convert it into a conference center. Photo by Zachary Kaufman
FAIRFIELD - The Solano County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $4 million plan to turn the old library building on Texas Street into a meeting and conference center.
Supervisor Barbara Kondylis was the only board member to vote against the plan, which would involve converting the building to house several offices, a food dispensing area and four conference rooms ranging in capacity from 30 to 200.
"I feel like we're drunken sailors the way we're spending money . . . with no consideration of unmet needs," Kondylis said. County Administrator Michael Johnson defended the project by saying it would fill a need for large meeting space, which he said is in high demand.
Using the historic building for meeting space would allow public access to an historic building, has the potential to generate revenue and is one of the least intrusive alternatives in terms of disrupting existing interior improvements, County Architect Kanon Artiche said.
There have been many suggestions over the years for what should happen to the library, which despite its age is not listed on any historic registries. Among the past suggestions were demolition, relocation to another site, use as a law library and use as retail or restaurant space.
The Solano County Historical Society had been lobbying for the museum idea, but that withered after it was estimated to take $5 million to renovate the building and turn it into a museum. Supervisors didn't want the county to foot the bill alone, and a viable business plan was never developed.
Vallejo resident Donald Tipton and Suisun City resident George Guynn complained the county seemed to have demanded more of other proposals for the building than it has of the conference center idea.
"I really think it's sad the historical society didn't get their project," Guynn said. "You're talking about spending $4 million, yet you nickle-and-dimed the historical society to death."
With the vote, $400,000 will be spent on design, engineering and construction management with San Jose-based Gilbane Building Company. The $4.1 million budget for the project is based on construction starting in June 2008 and being finished by March 2009.
Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.
Supes OK coversion of Old Library
County leaders authorize up to $4.5 million to convert the building into a conference center with meeting rooms.
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
Article Launched: 08/15/2007 07:00:14 AM PDT
The 76-year-old county library building, now out of use and in the shadow of the new towering county government center in downtown Fairfield, has been home to countless tenants.
Now, the Old Library is likely to have a new future, thanks to a vote Tuesday by the Solano County Board of Supervisors.
Plans are for the historic building to house conference and meetings rooms for county use following a 4-1 vote by the supervisors to spend a maximum $4.5 million converting the two-story, 11,000-square-foot building.
Supervisor Barbara Kondylis cast the dissenting vote, saying the county should look to using the money on other ventures such as a family law center.
"I feel like drunken sailors the way we're spending money," Kondylis said before the vote. "This is totally staff-driven. We need to look at it a little more intellectually and (be) less emotional."
The old library, adjacent to the government center on Texas Street, is needed for wide-scale training of county employees taking place throughout the year, staffers said.
Although the government center houses numerous meeting rooms, none of them has a capacity of more than 75 people. New rooms in the library building, according to plans, would have greater capacity.
Included in the plans are three meeting rooms, a food catering element, ADA-compliant restrooms and an elevator on the first floor.
The second story would feature three private offices, an open office area, more restrooms and another conference room. Also included in improvements is a new heating and air conditioning system.
What will be contained in the building wasn't a problem for most of the supervisors, but some did question whether or not the public would have access to use these rooms and services.
There were also discussions on what kind of landscaping would surround the building.
County staff hadn't fully addressed the issue of public access, but will be exploring the option at the supervisors' request.
"It sounds like there isn't a clear picture of how this building will be used," Supervisor Jim Spering said.
Supervisor John Silva said the rooms should be rented out and the revenue should be used for maintaining the building so that the county doesn't have to dip into the general fund.
The news of the conversion won't make some Solano County historians happy. A group, known as the Solano County Historical Society, had petitioned the board to turn the building into a museum. The group submitted a business plan at the board's request, but had issues raising the millions of dollars it needed.
Betty Davis, who represents what is now known as the Solano History Exploration Center, said even though its desired location isn't available, the group isn't giving up its dream for a museum.
"We're still out there," Davis said. "It takes time, it takes money, it takes people and effort."
Supervisor John Vasquez said there may be a way to incorporate historical items in the new building by setting up display cases or other exhibits.
Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.
Solano helps out Golden Gate Fields
Not just Horsing Around
Solano helps out Golden Gate Fields
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
Article Launched: 08/17/2007 07:00:02 AM PDT
A groomer exercises a horse during a morning training session on the track at the Solano County...
Before Golden Gate Fields in Albany started construction on a track with a synthetic surface, they had to answer one large question:
What would they do, meanwhile, with the 1,300 or so horses stabled there?
The answer soon came and the horses were moved to three other Bay Area stables, one of them at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo.
On typical summer days at the Vallejo stables and track, the place sits empty except for a few golfers hitting the links on the 9-hole course within the racetrack.
Strolling through those stables this year means coming face to face with roughly 525 race horses and more than 100 employees, some of which are living on the grounds just outside the stable area.
Clotheslines full of tattered rags used on the horses are strung across the walkways full of hay and dirt.
A lone goat meandered near one stable, nibbling on spilled horse food. Goats can be used as a calming agent for the horses, acting as a reminder of farm life.
In one area, four horses are tethered to a merry-go-round of sorts on a "hot walk" for a little extra exercise after their morning workout.
Stall Superintendent Anita Ortega said there was a lot of legwork involved in getting the grounds ready, but things have run smoothly since the horses arrived in mid-July.
She said that because many of the horses are accustomed to traveling on the county fair circuit, it has been easy to adjust. And some, she said, don't know any better.
"The majority of the horses are pretty even-tempered. Since they are yearlings, they know nothing else," Ortega said. "I don't think it's traumatic. Some even run better when you ship them. They run and they run well."
Most of the 870 stalls at Vallejo, built in the 1950s, had to be repaired before moving the horses in, said Joe Barkett, Solano County Fair Manager. The fair also had four portable trailers put on the grounds so the handlers had somewhere to sleep. Some opted to bring their own camper trailers which are parked nearby.
To accommodate the guests, the fair is spending between $600,000 and $700,000 which Barkett said the California Horse Racing Board has assured will be refunded. Barkett said small percentages of horse racing profits throughout the year were set aside to facilitate the boarding.
"We anticipate we will be fully reimbursed for our costs," Barkett said.
The reason the racing board is involved is that it was their ruling that forced track upgrades at facilities such as Golden Gate Fields.
In 2006, the California Horse Racing Board mandated that all five of California's major thoroughbred tracks that hold four weeks or more of racing install synthetic surfaces, which are proven to be safer for horses and riders, by Jan. 31, 2008.
The synthetic track is made up of wax-coated synthetic materials and features a vertical drainage system that allows water to pour through the surface, rather than off to the side.
Because the Solano County Fairgrounds only hosts racing two weeks a year, they weren't included. Horses also are being housed at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds and Bay Meadows Racetrack. Bay Meadows was not included in the upgrades because the track is set to close in the next year or two.
Barkett said the $7 million to $10 million upgrade was supposed to start in June and last until Labor Day, but negotiations took longer than expected.
"We thought for a while it wouldn't happen," he said.
Now, the Solano fairgrounds is scheduled to host the horses until the middle of October, when Golden Gate Fields is set to re-open.
"That's about as late as it can go," he said. "They have to have it done."
Although Barkett said it is unlikely that it will rain in September or October, there would be some issues if it happened. Leaky roofs, mud and uneven ground leading to large puddles would be something that would have to be addressed if the area got rain.
"There was some concern about significant rain," Barkett said. "We'll deal with it of course, but it could be an inconvenience."
Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.
Solano helps out Golden Gate Fields
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
Article Launched: 08/17/2007 07:00:02 AM PDT
A groomer exercises a horse during a morning training session on the track at the Solano County...
Before Golden Gate Fields in Albany started construction on a track with a synthetic surface, they had to answer one large question:
What would they do, meanwhile, with the 1,300 or so horses stabled there?
The answer soon came and the horses were moved to three other Bay Area stables, one of them at the Solano County Fairgrounds in Vallejo.
On typical summer days at the Vallejo stables and track, the place sits empty except for a few golfers hitting the links on the 9-hole course within the racetrack.
Strolling through those stables this year means coming face to face with roughly 525 race horses and more than 100 employees, some of which are living on the grounds just outside the stable area.
Clotheslines full of tattered rags used on the horses are strung across the walkways full of hay and dirt.
A lone goat meandered near one stable, nibbling on spilled horse food. Goats can be used as a calming agent for the horses, acting as a reminder of farm life.
In one area, four horses are tethered to a merry-go-round of sorts on a "hot walk" for a little extra exercise after their morning workout.
Stall Superintendent Anita Ortega said there was a lot of legwork involved in getting the grounds ready, but things have run smoothly since the horses arrived in mid-July.
She said that because many of the horses are accustomed to traveling on the county fair circuit, it has been easy to adjust. And some, she said, don't know any better.
"The majority of the horses are pretty even-tempered. Since they are yearlings, they know nothing else," Ortega said. "I don't think it's traumatic. Some even run better when you ship them. They run and they run well."
Most of the 870 stalls at Vallejo, built in the 1950s, had to be repaired before moving the horses in, said Joe Barkett, Solano County Fair Manager. The fair also had four portable trailers put on the grounds so the handlers had somewhere to sleep. Some opted to bring their own camper trailers which are parked nearby.
To accommodate the guests, the fair is spending between $600,000 and $700,000 which Barkett said the California Horse Racing Board has assured will be refunded. Barkett said small percentages of horse racing profits throughout the year were set aside to facilitate the boarding.
"We anticipate we will be fully reimbursed for our costs," Barkett said.
The reason the racing board is involved is that it was their ruling that forced track upgrades at facilities such as Golden Gate Fields.
In 2006, the California Horse Racing Board mandated that all five of California's major thoroughbred tracks that hold four weeks or more of racing install synthetic surfaces, which are proven to be safer for horses and riders, by Jan. 31, 2008.
The synthetic track is made up of wax-coated synthetic materials and features a vertical drainage system that allows water to pour through the surface, rather than off to the side.
Because the Solano County Fairgrounds only hosts racing two weeks a year, they weren't included. Horses also are being housed at the Pleasanton Fairgrounds and Bay Meadows Racetrack. Bay Meadows was not included in the upgrades because the track is set to close in the next year or two.
Barkett said the $7 million to $10 million upgrade was supposed to start in June and last until Labor Day, but negotiations took longer than expected.
"We thought for a while it wouldn't happen," he said.
Now, the Solano fairgrounds is scheduled to host the horses until the middle of October, when Golden Gate Fields is set to re-open.
"That's about as late as it can go," he said. "They have to have it done."
Although Barkett said it is unlikely that it will rain in September or October, there would be some issues if it happened. Leaky roofs, mud and uneven ground leading to large puddles would be something that would have to be addressed if the area got rain.
"There was some concern about significant rain," Barkett said. "We'll deal with it of course, but it could be an inconvenience."
Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.
Largest wind turbine shipment blows into Sacramento port for project in Rio Vista
Largest wind turbine shipment blows into Sacramento port
Sacramento Business Journal - August 17, 2007
by Melanie Turner
Staff writer
Two ships have delivered wind turbine parts in the past two weeks to the Port of Sacramento, with two more shipments expected by the end of this month.
The long-anticipated deliveries are the largest shipment of wind turbine parts to the port in a single year.
The long, white towers, blades and power generators are on their way to two projects -- a Sacramento Municipal Utility District project in Rio Vista and another in Tehachapi -- said port manager Mike Luken.
The shipments, all loaded with parts from manufacturer Vestas, are coming from Denmark and Vietnam, Luken said.
Only one ship has delivered wind turbine parts to the port in each of the past three years.
The number of shipments depends on wind turbine projects scheduled and their locations, Luken said.
"They're difficult to transport," he said. "The best path of travel, we've been told, is from the port."
Once at the port, the parts are placed on long flatbed trucks that can require an escort, depending on the length of the truck, Luken said.
When the wind turbines are erected, each one will stand 415 feet tall from the base to the tip of one of three blades, or 110 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty.
"We can handle very, very large pieces of equipment that can't economically be shipped by truck or rail," Luken said. "In the past, we've had large dock-making equipment, power-generation equipment and other heavy machinery."
melanieturner@bizjournals.com | 916-7859
Sacramento Business Journal - August 17, 2007
by Melanie Turner
Staff writer
Two ships have delivered wind turbine parts in the past two weeks to the Port of Sacramento, with two more shipments expected by the end of this month.
The long-anticipated deliveries are the largest shipment of wind turbine parts to the port in a single year.
The long, white towers, blades and power generators are on their way to two projects -- a Sacramento Municipal Utility District project in Rio Vista and another in Tehachapi -- said port manager Mike Luken.
The shipments, all loaded with parts from manufacturer Vestas, are coming from Denmark and Vietnam, Luken said.
Only one ship has delivered wind turbine parts to the port in each of the past three years.
The number of shipments depends on wind turbine projects scheduled and their locations, Luken said.
"They're difficult to transport," he said. "The best path of travel, we've been told, is from the port."
Once at the port, the parts are placed on long flatbed trucks that can require an escort, depending on the length of the truck, Luken said.
When the wind turbines are erected, each one will stand 415 feet tall from the base to the tip of one of three blades, or 110 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty.
"We can handle very, very large pieces of equipment that can't economically be shipped by truck or rail," Luken said. "In the past, we've had large dock-making equipment, power-generation equipment and other heavy machinery."
melanieturner@bizjournals.com | 916-7859
Travis Credit union opens Concord branch
August 18, 2007
Credit union opens Concord branch
By Ines Bebea
VACAVILLE - Travis Credit Union has finalized plans to open a full-service branch in Concord in the fall. Memberships will be available to anyone who lives or works in Contra Costa County. The branch will offer personal and small business services banking, and have an ATM and night depository.
Credit union opens Concord branch
By Ines Bebea
VACAVILLE - Travis Credit Union has finalized plans to open a full-service branch in Concord in the fall. Memberships will be available to anyone who lives or works in Contra Costa County. The branch will offer personal and small business services banking, and have an ATM and night depository.
Sacramento region drops on Prosperity Index
Sacramento region drops on Prosperity Index
Sacramento Business Journal - 9:09 AM PDT Friday, August 17, 2007
by Kelly Johnson
Staff writer
The Sacramento region is falling behind even more of its competitors when it comes to business climate.
The region fell in the second quarter from No. 9 to 10th place among 11 western U.S. markets with which Sacramento competes for new businesses, according to the latest Prosperity Index report released today. The area comprising Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter and Yuba counties dropped below Portland, Ore. Sacramento's business climate remained better than that of Denver and topped the national average.
The Prosperity Index is compiled by the Sacramento Regional Research Institute, a joint venture of California State University Sacramento and the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization. The institute compiles a business climate report each quarter and a larger report annually that also includes comparisons of "people" and "place" measurements. The next annual report will be released in the fall.
In the business component for the second quarter, the Sacramento region scored 3.5 out of a possible 10, down from 4.3 in the first quarter. Scores fell for job growth, unemployment rate and payroll growth, while the area posted gains in venture capital investment, office vacancy rate and growth of new businesses.
Salt Lake City took the top slot among 11 Western markets for business climate, overtaking Phoenix. In other changes since the first-quarter report, Denver and the national average switched places on the list, with the United States average falling to last place. This demonstrates, the report said, "that all of these competitive economies in the western United States present some of the strongest business climates in the nation."
What's happening, said institute director Ryan Sharp, is that all the regions are experiencing slower job and payroll growth. Salt Lake City is just slowing more gradually than everyone else. Like Sacramento, the regions studied have been dealt a slowdown in construction, financial activities and other sectors.
When the institute released its first Prosperity Index in February 2006 for the third quarter of 2005, the region ranked No. 9 for business climate. Since then, the Sacramento region has ranked either ninth or 10th for business climate except for one quarter -- the fourth quarter of 2005 -- when it reached No. 7.
The intent of the report is to help business and community leaders see how Sacramento stacks up in economic prosperity and the areas where it needs to improve to remain competitive.
Any index that provides benchmarks for improvement has value, said Jim Williams, one of three chairs of Partnership for Prosperity, a coalition of local groups that is developing an economic development plan for the region.
"It's useful for tracking performance in certain arenas," said Williams, principal of Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners Inc. He noted, however, that every business makes decisions based on many different factors -- and not all of them can be reflected in such a comparison.
Sacramento Business Journal - 9:09 AM PDT Friday, August 17, 2007
by Kelly Johnson
Staff writer
The Sacramento region is falling behind even more of its competitors when it comes to business climate.
The region fell in the second quarter from No. 9 to 10th place among 11 western U.S. markets with which Sacramento competes for new businesses, according to the latest Prosperity Index report released today. The area comprising Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter and Yuba counties dropped below Portland, Ore. Sacramento's business climate remained better than that of Denver and topped the national average.
The Prosperity Index is compiled by the Sacramento Regional Research Institute, a joint venture of California State University Sacramento and the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization. The institute compiles a business climate report each quarter and a larger report annually that also includes comparisons of "people" and "place" measurements. The next annual report will be released in the fall.
In the business component for the second quarter, the Sacramento region scored 3.5 out of a possible 10, down from 4.3 in the first quarter. Scores fell for job growth, unemployment rate and payroll growth, while the area posted gains in venture capital investment, office vacancy rate and growth of new businesses.
Salt Lake City took the top slot among 11 Western markets for business climate, overtaking Phoenix. In other changes since the first-quarter report, Denver and the national average switched places on the list, with the United States average falling to last place. This demonstrates, the report said, "that all of these competitive economies in the western United States present some of the strongest business climates in the nation."
What's happening, said institute director Ryan Sharp, is that all the regions are experiencing slower job and payroll growth. Salt Lake City is just slowing more gradually than everyone else. Like Sacramento, the regions studied have been dealt a slowdown in construction, financial activities and other sectors.
When the institute released its first Prosperity Index in February 2006 for the third quarter of 2005, the region ranked No. 9 for business climate. Since then, the Sacramento region has ranked either ninth or 10th for business climate except for one quarter -- the fourth quarter of 2005 -- when it reached No. 7.
The intent of the report is to help business and community leaders see how Sacramento stacks up in economic prosperity and the areas where it needs to improve to remain competitive.
Any index that provides benchmarks for improvement has value, said Jim Williams, one of three chairs of Partnership for Prosperity, a coalition of local groups that is developing an economic development plan for the region.
"It's useful for tracking performance in certain arenas," said Williams, principal of Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners Inc. He noted, however, that every business makes decisions based on many different factors -- and not all of them can be reflected in such a comparison.
Regional rail plan tracks county's potential
August 19, 2007
Regional rail plan tracks county's potential
By Barry Eberling
SUISUN CITY - More trains and tracks in Solano County could feed into a beefed-up BART system to help keep commuters moving in coming decades.
That's part of an expanded role for trains envisioned in the draft Bay Area Regional Rail Plan. The price for the entire nine-county region through 2050 could be $36 billion to $44 billion.
People can offer their opinions Monday during two workshops at Suisun City Hall, 701 Civic Center Blvd. The workshops will be 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
The Interstate 80 corridor has high ridership potential, the report said. The Capitol Corridor train service already runs 16 daily round trips, with the only Solano County stop in Suisun City.
Richard Silver of the Rail Passenger Association of California and Nevada agreed that the I-80 corridor area has a bright rail future because of its rapid growth.
"Every time somebody moves in, there's a potential new customer," he said Thursday.
People can transfer from the Capitol Corridor trains to BART in Richmond. The plan envisions an BART system that has more trains and more stations around the core urban part of the Bay Area.
"The BART system is the backbone," the plan stated.
But the Capitol Corridor tracks also handle freight service that will continue to grow, the report said. That slows trains as tracks becomes crowded. The report recommends having three to four tracks along much of the route, instead of the one or two now there now.
Challenges include replacing the railroad drawbridge over the Carquinez Strait at Benicia and getting environmental approval for work in such areas as Suisun Marsh. Then there's the challenge of finding the estimated $2.3 billion to pay for the improvements.
A new train service is envisioned linking Vallejo and Napa. Ultimately, the line would be expanded to include service to Fairfield and Vacaville to the east and San Rafael to the north.
But for now, the only action taken would be to preserve the tracks and railroad right-of-way. Service would start between 2015 and 2050. Ridership potential would have to grow first.
There is another possible train service for Solano County. This one creates a more direct I-80 corridor route, one that goes from Cordelia through Vallejo, crosses over the Carquinez Strait on a new bridge to Crockett and continues on to Hercules in Contra Costa County.
The existing tracks travel from Solano County to Crockett and Hercules but take a more roundabout route through Benicia and Martinez. A Vallejo route would cut travel time from Oakland to Sacramento from 93 minutes to 63 minutes and increase ridership, the report stated.
Silver and the report come to the same conclusion: This option is too expensive. It would cost a couple of billion dollars, the report stated.
"There's no question that's a better route," Silver said. "If we had to do it all over again, that's the route we'd do. But let's be practical about this."
Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646 Ext. 232 or at beberling@dailyrepublic.net.
At a glance
Who: Metropolitan Transportation Commission and other agencies
What: Bay Area Regional Rail Plan
When: Monday, 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Where: Suisun City Hall, 701 Civic Center Blvd.
Info: 510-817-5809
Regional rail plan tracks county's potential
By Barry Eberling
SUISUN CITY - More trains and tracks in Solano County could feed into a beefed-up BART system to help keep commuters moving in coming decades.
That's part of an expanded role for trains envisioned in the draft Bay Area Regional Rail Plan. The price for the entire nine-county region through 2050 could be $36 billion to $44 billion.
People can offer their opinions Monday during two workshops at Suisun City Hall, 701 Civic Center Blvd. The workshops will be 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
The Interstate 80 corridor has high ridership potential, the report said. The Capitol Corridor train service already runs 16 daily round trips, with the only Solano County stop in Suisun City.
Richard Silver of the Rail Passenger Association of California and Nevada agreed that the I-80 corridor area has a bright rail future because of its rapid growth.
"Every time somebody moves in, there's a potential new customer," he said Thursday.
People can transfer from the Capitol Corridor trains to BART in Richmond. The plan envisions an BART system that has more trains and more stations around the core urban part of the Bay Area.
"The BART system is the backbone," the plan stated.
But the Capitol Corridor tracks also handle freight service that will continue to grow, the report said. That slows trains as tracks becomes crowded. The report recommends having three to four tracks along much of the route, instead of the one or two now there now.
Challenges include replacing the railroad drawbridge over the Carquinez Strait at Benicia and getting environmental approval for work in such areas as Suisun Marsh. Then there's the challenge of finding the estimated $2.3 billion to pay for the improvements.
A new train service is envisioned linking Vallejo and Napa. Ultimately, the line would be expanded to include service to Fairfield and Vacaville to the east and San Rafael to the north.
But for now, the only action taken would be to preserve the tracks and railroad right-of-way. Service would start between 2015 and 2050. Ridership potential would have to grow first.
There is another possible train service for Solano County. This one creates a more direct I-80 corridor route, one that goes from Cordelia through Vallejo, crosses over the Carquinez Strait on a new bridge to Crockett and continues on to Hercules in Contra Costa County.
The existing tracks travel from Solano County to Crockett and Hercules but take a more roundabout route through Benicia and Martinez. A Vallejo route would cut travel time from Oakland to Sacramento from 93 minutes to 63 minutes and increase ridership, the report stated.
Silver and the report come to the same conclusion: This option is too expensive. It would cost a couple of billion dollars, the report stated.
"There's no question that's a better route," Silver said. "If we had to do it all over again, that's the route we'd do. But let's be practical about this."
Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646 Ext. 232 or at beberling@dailyrepublic.net.
At a glance
Who: Metropolitan Transportation Commission and other agencies
What: Bay Area Regional Rail Plan
When: Monday, 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Where: Suisun City Hall, 701 Civic Center Blvd.
Info: 510-817-5809
DG Power has proposed building a 200-500 megawatt plant on a 23-acre site along Cordelia Road in Fairfield
August 18, 2007
Power plant proposal electrifies city
By Ben Antonius
FAIRFIELD - One power plant on Cordelia Road could get another as a neighbor under a new proposal.
Incline Village, Nev.-based DG Power has proposed building a 200-500 megawatt plant on a 23-acre site along Cordelia Road between Beck Avenue and Chadbourne Road.
"It's huge," said Councilman Frank Kardos, referring to the financial implications of the deal. "We're looking at tough times ahead and you either cut services, raise taxes or raise revenue through growth, which is what we're doing here. We need to do this like yesterday."
The Fairfield City Council on Tuesday will review a contract that would give DG Power an exclusive option to lease the land. The company needs to have that deal in hand before it can apply with PG&E and launch the legally-required environmental studies.
"It has got to go through quite a bit of process still," said Community Development Director Sean Quinn. "First with PG&E and second the state permitting process, which is a 18 to 24 month process."
If built, the project could bring as much as $1 million annually to the city through its lease. That would go a long way to resolving a multi-million dollar deficit the city is projecting through the end of the decade.
The project would be a so-called "peaker plant," which means it would only be operated at times of particularly high demand. Like most peaker plants, it would consist of natural gas-fired turbines to produce power.
Quinn and Public Works Director Gene Cortright wrote in a report to the council that the site is "ideal for a power plant as it is adjacent to a high pressure gas line, near a source of reclaimed water and overhead electrical lines."
Under the proposal, DG Power would also consider purchasing 6 acres of city-owned land on Red Top Road for an electrical switching station. That site is located in the triangle-shaped area bounded by Red Top Road, Highway 12 and Interstate 80.
Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.
Power plant proposal electrifies city
By Ben Antonius
FAIRFIELD - One power plant on Cordelia Road could get another as a neighbor under a new proposal.
Incline Village, Nev.-based DG Power has proposed building a 200-500 megawatt plant on a 23-acre site along Cordelia Road between Beck Avenue and Chadbourne Road.
"It's huge," said Councilman Frank Kardos, referring to the financial implications of the deal. "We're looking at tough times ahead and you either cut services, raise taxes or raise revenue through growth, which is what we're doing here. We need to do this like yesterday."
The Fairfield City Council on Tuesday will review a contract that would give DG Power an exclusive option to lease the land. The company needs to have that deal in hand before it can apply with PG&E and launch the legally-required environmental studies.
"It has got to go through quite a bit of process still," said Community Development Director Sean Quinn. "First with PG&E and second the state permitting process, which is a 18 to 24 month process."
If built, the project could bring as much as $1 million annually to the city through its lease. That would go a long way to resolving a multi-million dollar deficit the city is projecting through the end of the decade.
The project would be a so-called "peaker plant," which means it would only be operated at times of particularly high demand. Like most peaker plants, it would consist of natural gas-fired turbines to produce power.
Quinn and Public Works Director Gene Cortright wrote in a report to the council that the site is "ideal for a power plant as it is adjacent to a high pressure gas line, near a source of reclaimed water and overhead electrical lines."
Under the proposal, DG Power would also consider purchasing 6 acres of city-owned land on Red Top Road for an electrical switching station. That site is located in the triangle-shaped area bounded by Red Top Road, Highway 12 and Interstate 80.
Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.
"America's Best Colleges" list released by U.S. News & World Report. - UC Berkeley was ranked #1 UC Davis #42
Report: Stanford ranked 4th top university
Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal - 12:19 PM PDT Friday, August 17, 2007
UC Berkeley was ranked number one among public universities in the country Friday and number 21 overall, while Stanford came in fourth in the somewhat controversial "America's Best Colleges" list released by U.S. News & World Report.
Stanford trailed behind number one Princeton University, number two Harvard University and number three Yale University.
Fifth was California Institute of Technology.
UCLA was at the number 25 spot, just ahead of USC at number 27.
Other California schools in the top 50 were number 38 UC-San Diego, number 42 UC-Davis, and UC-Santa Barbara and UC-Irvine tied at number 44.
East Bay Business Times
Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal - 12:19 PM PDT Friday, August 17, 2007
UC Berkeley was ranked number one among public universities in the country Friday and number 21 overall, while Stanford came in fourth in the somewhat controversial "America's Best Colleges" list released by U.S. News & World Report.
Stanford trailed behind number one Princeton University, number two Harvard University and number three Yale University.
Fifth was California Institute of Technology.
UCLA was at the number 25 spot, just ahead of USC at number 27.
Other California schools in the top 50 were number 38 UC-San Diego, number 42 UC-Davis, and UC-Santa Barbara and UC-Irvine tied at number 44.
East Bay Business Times
The Sacramento region's jobless rate inched higher to 5.4 percent in July,
Construction, school layoffs hurt jobless rate
Sacramento Business Journal - 1:35 PM PDT Friday, August 17, 2007
The Sacramento region's jobless rate inched higher in July, with cuts in construction and public education-related positions, according to a report released Friday.
The four-county area's jobless rate increased to 5.4 percent in July, compared to 5.2 percent in June and 4.9 percent a year ago, according to the state Employment Development Department.
The total number of jobs declined by 5,200, the first monthly drop since January, but 18,900 jobs have been added since July 2006.
Much of the job-loss is attributed to summer vacation. About 6,400 school-related jobs were eliminated last month, with many likely returning to local payrolls in the next few weeks as school resumes.
Construction -- once the fastest-growing industry during the housing boom -- dropped by 400 positions in July, unusual for the often-busy summer building activity. Many homebuilders, feeling the effect of the housing slowdown, have laid off construction workers in recent months.
The dismal housing market has pounded the construction and the financial services industry during the past year. The region has about 3,100 fewer construction employees -- a 4.3 percent drop -- and 700 fewer mortgage and real estate professionals than a year ago, according to the monthly report.
California's jobless rate increased to 5.3 percent in July, from 5.2 percent in June and 4.8 percent a year ago.
In a separate survey of households, the state had 960,000 people out of work in July, an increase of 18,000 from June and 98,000 more than July 2006. Construction payroll dropped 7,800 jobs from last month -- and was off 18,000 positions from a year ago, easily the largest decline by industry.
Sacramento Business Journal - 1:35 PM PDT Friday, August 17, 2007
The Sacramento region's jobless rate inched higher in July, with cuts in construction and public education-related positions, according to a report released Friday.
The four-county area's jobless rate increased to 5.4 percent in July, compared to 5.2 percent in June and 4.9 percent a year ago, according to the state Employment Development Department.
The total number of jobs declined by 5,200, the first monthly drop since January, but 18,900 jobs have been added since July 2006.
Much of the job-loss is attributed to summer vacation. About 6,400 school-related jobs were eliminated last month, with many likely returning to local payrolls in the next few weeks as school resumes.
Construction -- once the fastest-growing industry during the housing boom -- dropped by 400 positions in July, unusual for the often-busy summer building activity. Many homebuilders, feeling the effect of the housing slowdown, have laid off construction workers in recent months.
The dismal housing market has pounded the construction and the financial services industry during the past year. The region has about 3,100 fewer construction employees -- a 4.3 percent drop -- and 700 fewer mortgage and real estate professionals than a year ago, according to the monthly report.
California's jobless rate increased to 5.3 percent in July, from 5.2 percent in June and 4.8 percent a year ago.
In a separate survey of households, the state had 960,000 people out of work in July, an increase of 18,000 from June and 98,000 more than July 2006. Construction payroll dropped 7,800 jobs from last month -- and was off 18,000 positions from a year ago, easily the largest decline by industry.
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