Planners OK Center For Dixon
By Melissa Murphy/Staff Writer
After a rather lengthy discussion, the Dixon Planning Commission gave a unanimous thumbs up Tuesday evening for the construction of a new retail and restaurant center in the northeast corner of the city.
The planning commissioners voted 6-0, Commissioner Doug Uhlik being absent, to allow the construction of a 152,000-square-foot commercial center at the corner of North First Street and Vaughn Road.
"It will be a nice gateway to the north side of Dixon," said Gregg Steele on behalf of 20th Street Dixon LLC. "It will be something Dixon is proud of. It's an ideal location. Its proximity to the freeway and an adequate access is why we chose this location. It's a major thoroughfare and overall it's a better location."
The project, which will include a plaza area and shopping center, will be completed in two phases.
Phase I will include a 15,580-square-foot pharmacy with drive-thru and three restaurants totaling 8,700 square feet, and 18,600 square feet of inline retail space.
Phase II includes an additional 109,000 square feet of "future" retail.
Steele explained that the project will be built in phases to allow tenants to reserve the sites ahead of time.
"When we start building Phase I, the interest in Phase II will pick up immediately," he added.
The commission was not able to discuss before press time a possible zoning ordinance amendment related to the process of referring retail buildings of more than 75,000 square feet to the city council for design review.
Additionally, the commission had not yet discussed a modification to approved exterior changes to the old fire station.
Melissa Murphy can be reached at dixon@thereporter.com.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Funds Hike Could Help Truck Scales
Funds Hike Could Help Truck Scales
By Erik N. Nelson/MediaNews Group
The Bay Area's efforts to clear up its clogged freight corridors received a big boost Tuesday with a proposal to expand the state's trade routes program by as much as $1 billion for a total of $3 billion.
"That would be an amazing outcome for us," said Jim Wunderman, executive director of the Bay Area Council of major business leaders. "It's certainly more than we would have expected."
Such a funding boost, which is expected to be proposed Tuesday to the California Transportation Commission by its staff, apparently would ensure money to relocate the truck scales on Interstate 80 in Fairfield.
The Bay Area Council helped organize shippers, manufacturers, the Port of Oakland and neighboring regional governing bodies to coordinate Northern California's trade corridor funding push.
Last November voters approved $2 billion for projects to improve the movement of cargo by truck, rail and ship as part of an overall $20 billion transportation bond measure, Proposition 1B.
But Tuesday, delegations of transportation and port officials from up and down the state arrived in Sacramento with demands that well exceeded that amount, pitting Northern California's $860 million wish list against $1.7 billion in projects sought for corridors leading to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
If the California Transportation Commission approves the extra $1 billion in funding, it will mean $38 million to collaborate with Union Pacific Railroad on a $75 million project to open up tunnels through Donner Pass. Higher tunnels will allow double-stacked container cars to pass through, greatly increasing the amount of cargo that can go from Northern California directly to the rest of the nation, Wunderman said.
"You cut a full day off the time it takes to move goods out of the Port of Oakland and out of the state," Wunderman said. "It also reduces pollution, because you're taking an awful lot of trucks off the road."
Other projects, such as a $325 million truck-train terminal at the Port of Oakland and $315 million worth of improvements to Union Pacific tracks between Richmond and Martinez, each to be half privately funded, combine to make up that $860 million wish list compiled by the Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
The state commission is expected to approve individual projects in April.
Daryl Halls, executive director of the Solano Transportation Authority, said Tuesday that there is a plan for $50 million in Proposition 1B funds that would be used to move the eastbound side of the truck scales a half-mile farther east, away from the frequent traffic snarl involving Interstates 80, 680, and Highway 12.
Next Tuesday, the staff will propose to the commission that it approve an additional $500 million from gasoline tax receipts - otherwise earmarked for the State Highway Operation and Protection Program, explained John Barna, the commission's executive director.
"The idea is to over-program another $500 million," approving projects up to a total of $3 billion, in anticipation of new fees on shipping containers likely to be levied by the legislature or local port authorities and the promise of a new federal initiative to improve trade corridors nationwide.
"California is far better positioned to tap into it quickly if we had a set of projects ready to go," said Therese McMillan, MTC deputy executive director for policy.
By Erik N. Nelson/MediaNews Group
The Bay Area's efforts to clear up its clogged freight corridors received a big boost Tuesday with a proposal to expand the state's trade routes program by as much as $1 billion for a total of $3 billion.
"That would be an amazing outcome for us," said Jim Wunderman, executive director of the Bay Area Council of major business leaders. "It's certainly more than we would have expected."
Such a funding boost, which is expected to be proposed Tuesday to the California Transportation Commission by its staff, apparently would ensure money to relocate the truck scales on Interstate 80 in Fairfield.
The Bay Area Council helped organize shippers, manufacturers, the Port of Oakland and neighboring regional governing bodies to coordinate Northern California's trade corridor funding push.
Last November voters approved $2 billion for projects to improve the movement of cargo by truck, rail and ship as part of an overall $20 billion transportation bond measure, Proposition 1B.
But Tuesday, delegations of transportation and port officials from up and down the state arrived in Sacramento with demands that well exceeded that amount, pitting Northern California's $860 million wish list against $1.7 billion in projects sought for corridors leading to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
If the California Transportation Commission approves the extra $1 billion in funding, it will mean $38 million to collaborate with Union Pacific Railroad on a $75 million project to open up tunnels through Donner Pass. Higher tunnels will allow double-stacked container cars to pass through, greatly increasing the amount of cargo that can go from Northern California directly to the rest of the nation, Wunderman said.
"You cut a full day off the time it takes to move goods out of the Port of Oakland and out of the state," Wunderman said. "It also reduces pollution, because you're taking an awful lot of trucks off the road."
Other projects, such as a $325 million truck-train terminal at the Port of Oakland and $315 million worth of improvements to Union Pacific tracks between Richmond and Martinez, each to be half privately funded, combine to make up that $860 million wish list compiled by the Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
The state commission is expected to approve individual projects in April.
Daryl Halls, executive director of the Solano Transportation Authority, said Tuesday that there is a plan for $50 million in Proposition 1B funds that would be used to move the eastbound side of the truck scales a half-mile farther east, away from the frequent traffic snarl involving Interstates 80, 680, and Highway 12.
Next Tuesday, the staff will propose to the commission that it approve an additional $500 million from gasoline tax receipts - otherwise earmarked for the State Highway Operation and Protection Program, explained John Barna, the commission's executive director.
"The idea is to over-program another $500 million," approving projects up to a total of $3 billion, in anticipation of new fees on shipping containers likely to be levied by the legislature or local port authorities and the promise of a new federal initiative to improve trade corridors nationwide.
"California is far better positioned to tap into it quickly if we had a set of projects ready to go," said Therese McMillan, MTC deputy executive director for policy.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
With Pest Gone, Grape Growers Rejoice
With Pest Gone, Grape Growers Rejoice
County Eradicates Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter | By Barry Eberling
DAILY REPUBLIC
FAIRFIELD - Solano County is now officially free of an invasive insect that had the potential to devastate the region's wine industry.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter hasn't been trapped in the county since May 2005, the tail end of an infestation in a Vacaville neighborhood. On Monday, county Agriculture Commissioner Jerry Howard announced the pest is considered eradicated. No insect has been found for the required time period.
'Our efforts protected the county's burgeoning wine grape industry and kept the insect from entering the grape-growing valleys in Napa and Sonoma,' Howard said in a press release.
Roger King of the Suisun Valley Grape Growers Association welcomed the eradication news Monday. Suisun Valley has some 2,000 acres of grapes and several wineries. Efforts are underway to promote the valley as a tourist destination, with wine a key attraction.
'People were very concerned in this valley because Vacaville is very close,' King said Monday.
Glassy-winged sharpshooters are 1/2-inch-long, leaf-hopping insects that suck fluids out of certain plants. They can spread a bacterium called Pierce's disease that kills grape vines. They also can spread diseases that hurt almonds, alfalfa and various ornamental plants.
The insects are native to northeastern Mexico. They somehow reached Temecula in Riverside County in 1999, rocking the wine industry there by destroying about 300 acres of grapes.
Sharpshooters can move to other parts of the state through nursery shipments of infected plants.
On June 7, 2004, Solano County workers found the sharpshooter near Nut Tree Parkway in Vacaville during routine trapping. In subsequent weeks, the state and county sprayed pesticides on trees and shrubs in infested commercial and residential areas. They released hundreds of stingerless, parasitic wasps to destroy sharpshooter eggs.
Although King is happy that the sharpshooter is considered eradicated, he's not ready to forget about the insect. All it takes is one nursery shipment that hasn't been totally inspected to bring the sharpshooter back, he said.
'Vigilance is big,' King said. 'It's gone from Vacaville, but it can pop back way too soon.'
County officials said they will continue their inspection and trapping programs.
'We inspect all incoming plant shipments from glassy-winged sharpshooter-infested areas,' Howard said. 'We'll continue to do that.'
Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646, Ext. 232, or at beberling@dailyrepublic.net.
County Eradicates Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter | By Barry Eberling
DAILY REPUBLIC
FAIRFIELD - Solano County is now officially free of an invasive insect that had the potential to devastate the region's wine industry.
The glassy-winged sharpshooter hasn't been trapped in the county since May 2005, the tail end of an infestation in a Vacaville neighborhood. On Monday, county Agriculture Commissioner Jerry Howard announced the pest is considered eradicated. No insect has been found for the required time period.
'Our efforts protected the county's burgeoning wine grape industry and kept the insect from entering the grape-growing valleys in Napa and Sonoma,' Howard said in a press release.
Roger King of the Suisun Valley Grape Growers Association welcomed the eradication news Monday. Suisun Valley has some 2,000 acres of grapes and several wineries. Efforts are underway to promote the valley as a tourist destination, with wine a key attraction.
'People were very concerned in this valley because Vacaville is very close,' King said Monday.
Glassy-winged sharpshooters are 1/2-inch-long, leaf-hopping insects that suck fluids out of certain plants. They can spread a bacterium called Pierce's disease that kills grape vines. They also can spread diseases that hurt almonds, alfalfa and various ornamental plants.
The insects are native to northeastern Mexico. They somehow reached Temecula in Riverside County in 1999, rocking the wine industry there by destroying about 300 acres of grapes.
Sharpshooters can move to other parts of the state through nursery shipments of infected plants.
On June 7, 2004, Solano County workers found the sharpshooter near Nut Tree Parkway in Vacaville during routine trapping. In subsequent weeks, the state and county sprayed pesticides on trees and shrubs in infested commercial and residential areas. They released hundreds of stingerless, parasitic wasps to destroy sharpshooter eggs.
Although King is happy that the sharpshooter is considered eradicated, he's not ready to forget about the insect. All it takes is one nursery shipment that hasn't been totally inspected to bring the sharpshooter back, he said.
'Vigilance is big,' King said. 'It's gone from Vacaville, but it can pop back way too soon.'
County officials said they will continue their inspection and trapping programs.
'We inspect all incoming plant shipments from glassy-winged sharpshooter-infested areas,' Howard said. 'We'll continue to do that.'
Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646, Ext. 232, or at beberling@dailyrepublic.net.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Broadband To Bring More Jobs To Solano
Broadband To Bring More Jobs To Solano
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen/Times-Herald, Vallejo
Solano County stands to gain nearly 15,000 jobs and millions in payroll in the next decade as a result of Internet technology, a new study reveals.
The Sacramento Regional Research Institute, which has investigated the relationship between broadband use, job growth and payroll statewide, found 14,853 new jobs and more than $1 million in payroll expected in the Solano County area in the next 10 years directly associated with increased broadband use.
"That works out to about 100 jobs per month, which is a steady increase," said Rick Wells, Vallejo Chamber of Commerce president. "It makes sense. It's probably a trend we're seeing more of with more of our jobs being related to online software and high-tech."
For study purposes, the state was broken down into 24 regions and 39 counties including the Vallejo-Fairfield Area according to an institute statement. Broadband is defined as cable or digital subscriber line, or DSL, the statement said.
The AT&T-commissioned study shows that with a nearly 4 percent annual percentage point increase in adults using broadband, the state could see a net cumulative gain of 1.8 million jobs and $132 billion in payroll over the next decade.
Using statistical models and economic and broadband usage data from 2001 through 2005, the study's authors analyzed 24 major California regions and projected future growth, the statement said. In so doing, the study found that the percentage of Californians using a broadband connection has tripled since 2001, and that between 2002 and 2005, broadband use generated nearly 200,000 jobs and about $12 billion in payroll statewide.
The technology allows people working from home to have access to the same technology as they would at an office, which is especially important in regions where commute times tend to be lengthy, the institute statement notes.
"The Internet can allow any size business anywhere to become global instantly," said Solano Economic Development Corp. president Mike Ammann. He noted the example of the recent expansion of Gymboree's Internet sales warehouse into Dixon.
"It about doubled the size of the warehouse," Ammann said. "This is the kind of thing driving this kind of job."
The study shows the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale area gaining the most in jobs (455,753) and payroll ($33.079 million) in the next decade, and the Clearlake area benefiting the least, with a projected 1,705 jobs and $96 million in payroll.
The Napa area is expected to gain more than 7,000 jobs and more than $506 million in payroll.
American Canyon city manager Richard Ramirez said the findings don't surprise him.
"Obviously, that's an area that's exploding from the economic development and technology standpoint," Ramirez said. "We hope American Canyon will benefit from that growth."
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen/Times-Herald, Vallejo
Solano County stands to gain nearly 15,000 jobs and millions in payroll in the next decade as a result of Internet technology, a new study reveals.
The Sacramento Regional Research Institute, which has investigated the relationship between broadband use, job growth and payroll statewide, found 14,853 new jobs and more than $1 million in payroll expected in the Solano County area in the next 10 years directly associated with increased broadband use.
"That works out to about 100 jobs per month, which is a steady increase," said Rick Wells, Vallejo Chamber of Commerce president. "It makes sense. It's probably a trend we're seeing more of with more of our jobs being related to online software and high-tech."
For study purposes, the state was broken down into 24 regions and 39 counties including the Vallejo-Fairfield Area according to an institute statement. Broadband is defined as cable or digital subscriber line, or DSL, the statement said.
The AT&T-commissioned study shows that with a nearly 4 percent annual percentage point increase in adults using broadband, the state could see a net cumulative gain of 1.8 million jobs and $132 billion in payroll over the next decade.
Using statistical models and economic and broadband usage data from 2001 through 2005, the study's authors analyzed 24 major California regions and projected future growth, the statement said. In so doing, the study found that the percentage of Californians using a broadband connection has tripled since 2001, and that between 2002 and 2005, broadband use generated nearly 200,000 jobs and about $12 billion in payroll statewide.
The technology allows people working from home to have access to the same technology as they would at an office, which is especially important in regions where commute times tend to be lengthy, the institute statement notes.
"The Internet can allow any size business anywhere to become global instantly," said Solano Economic Development Corp. president Mike Ammann. He noted the example of the recent expansion of Gymboree's Internet sales warehouse into Dixon.
"It about doubled the size of the warehouse," Ammann said. "This is the kind of thing driving this kind of job."
The study shows the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale area gaining the most in jobs (455,753) and payroll ($33.079 million) in the next decade, and the Clearlake area benefiting the least, with a projected 1,705 jobs and $96 million in payroll.
The Napa area is expected to gain more than 7,000 jobs and more than $506 million in payroll.
American Canyon city manager Richard Ramirez said the findings don't surprise him.
"Obviously, that's an area that's exploding from the economic development and technology standpoint," Ramirez said. "We hope American Canyon will benefit from that growth."
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Fairfield balances on the edge as housing prices plunge
Article:Fairfield balances on the edge as housing prices
San Francisco Chronicle
Fairfield balances on the edge as housing prices plunge
Sam Zuckerman, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Kevin Cerkoney, president of Compu-Tech Lumber in Fairfie... Stu Reid, owner of a home-remodeling business, is encoura... Fairfield. Chronicle Graphic
If you want to see how the housing bust is affecting business in the Bay Area, there's no better place to look than Fairfield.
Housing in this bustling Solano County city is in an outright depression. Home prices are plummeting, buyers are running for cover and, in September and October, not a single home building permit was issued, the first time that's happened in the memory of city officials.
Yet, despite the wrenching collapse of its housing sector, Fairfield is holding up pretty well - at least so far.
"People still seem to be employed. There's still a lot going on," said Stu Reid, owner of the home remodeling business Kitchen Tune-Up. "While people may be talking more cautiously, they're still going out to dinner, still playing golf. You still see long lines at Starbucks."
That's right now. The question on everybody's mind is how long can the city's economy stay healthy with housing in tatters. Fairfield, it seems, is a city on the knife's edge.
Until recently, the spillover from housing was confined mainly to businesses directly linked to the residential market - real estate firms, construction companies, building materials suppliers and the like. But now there are ominous signs that the pain is spreading to businesses further afield, such as furniture and home-improvement retailers, and even restaurants and car dealers.
"Those businesses one step removed from housing are starting to slow down, in some cases dramatically," said Sean Quinn, director of Fairfield's community development department.
New-car sales at Thomason Autogroup, which owns nine franchises in Fairfield, have edged down about 5 percent in the past year, due in part to homeowners who can no longer easily get home-equity loans.
"Our customers appear to have less disposable cash," said Thomason president Pancho Redfern.
The issue is the same one confronting the nation as a whole: Can Fairfield's economy remain on its feet in the face of what amounts to a housing depression? Will the downward suction of housing overwhelm strength in other areas, destroying jobs, demoralizing consumers, and pushing the economy into recession? Or can the housing crunch be contained while business hums in other sectors?
Set in the coastal hills midway between San Francisco and Sacramento, Fairfield is an excellent laboratory to look at the effects of housing on the economy. It's representative of many cities and towns along the Bay Area's eastern fringe that experienced home construction booms during the go-go years earlier this decade.
Fairfield and its surrounding area was one of the region's home-building hot spots, luring buyers with picturesque landscapes, suburban amenities and relatively affordable house prices.
to read the rest of the article check out the San Francisco Chronicle
E-mail Sam Zuckerman at szuckerman@sfchronicle.com.
San Francisco Chronicle
Fairfield balances on the edge as housing prices plunge
Sam Zuckerman, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Kevin Cerkoney, president of Compu-Tech Lumber in Fairfie... Stu Reid, owner of a home-remodeling business, is encoura... Fairfield. Chronicle Graphic
If you want to see how the housing bust is affecting business in the Bay Area, there's no better place to look than Fairfield.
Housing in this bustling Solano County city is in an outright depression. Home prices are plummeting, buyers are running for cover and, in September and October, not a single home building permit was issued, the first time that's happened in the memory of city officials.
Yet, despite the wrenching collapse of its housing sector, Fairfield is holding up pretty well - at least so far.
"People still seem to be employed. There's still a lot going on," said Stu Reid, owner of the home remodeling business Kitchen Tune-Up. "While people may be talking more cautiously, they're still going out to dinner, still playing golf. You still see long lines at Starbucks."
That's right now. The question on everybody's mind is how long can the city's economy stay healthy with housing in tatters. Fairfield, it seems, is a city on the knife's edge.
Until recently, the spillover from housing was confined mainly to businesses directly linked to the residential market - real estate firms, construction companies, building materials suppliers and the like. But now there are ominous signs that the pain is spreading to businesses further afield, such as furniture and home-improvement retailers, and even restaurants and car dealers.
"Those businesses one step removed from housing are starting to slow down, in some cases dramatically," said Sean Quinn, director of Fairfield's community development department.
New-car sales at Thomason Autogroup, which owns nine franchises in Fairfield, have edged down about 5 percent in the past year, due in part to homeowners who can no longer easily get home-equity loans.
"Our customers appear to have less disposable cash," said Thomason president Pancho Redfern.
The issue is the same one confronting the nation as a whole: Can Fairfield's economy remain on its feet in the face of what amounts to a housing depression? Will the downward suction of housing overwhelm strength in other areas, destroying jobs, demoralizing consumers, and pushing the economy into recession? Or can the housing crunch be contained while business hums in other sectors?
Set in the coastal hills midway between San Francisco and Sacramento, Fairfield is an excellent laboratory to look at the effects of housing on the economy. It's representative of many cities and towns along the Bay Area's eastern fringe that experienced home construction booms during the go-go years earlier this decade.
Fairfield and its surrounding area was one of the region's home-building hot spots, luring buyers with picturesque landscapes, suburban amenities and relatively affordable house prices.
to read the rest of the article check out the San Francisco Chronicle
E-mail Sam Zuckerman at szuckerman@sfchronicle.com.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Benicians Meet To Find Slogan For City
Benicians Meet To Find Slogan For City
By SARA STROUD/Times-Herald staff writer
BENICIA - Charm, community, water, historic brothels: These are all things Benicia has to offer tourists, according to residents who gathered Wednesday night to kick off a new branding and tourism campaign.
About 50 people came to the Benicia Historical Museum Camel Barns to meet representatives of the Placemaking Group, a marketing firm hired by the city to sell Benicia as a destination.
For several weeks, the group has been exploring Benicia, but this was the first opportunity residents had to offer their thoughts, city Economic Development Manager Amalia Lorentz said.
"We want to get input from people who know Benicia best," Placemaking Group senior vice president Irv Hamilton said.
In posing questions to the crowd, Hamilton and company President Dennis Erokan wanted to know what makes Benicia unique, what tourism could do for the city and what the possible downsides are to a potential influx of visitors.
People cited the city's rich history and thriving art community as big possible draws, but noted that there is currently a disconnect between downtown and the historic arsenal area.
Along with increased crime and overcrowded parking, some residents voiced concerns that excessive tourism could cause Benicia to lose its authenticity, and said they didn't want to become another Sausalito.
Last month, the City Council approved a $40,000 contract with the Oakland-based company, which has also created branding campaigns for Fairfield and downtown Napa.
Between now and February, Hamilton said they will analyze Benicia's assets and create a "branding blueprint," including a logo, before determining groups and areas to target.
By SARA STROUD/Times-Herald staff writer
BENICIA - Charm, community, water, historic brothels: These are all things Benicia has to offer tourists, according to residents who gathered Wednesday night to kick off a new branding and tourism campaign.
About 50 people came to the Benicia Historical Museum Camel Barns to meet representatives of the Placemaking Group, a marketing firm hired by the city to sell Benicia as a destination.
For several weeks, the group has been exploring Benicia, but this was the first opportunity residents had to offer their thoughts, city Economic Development Manager Amalia Lorentz said.
"We want to get input from people who know Benicia best," Placemaking Group senior vice president Irv Hamilton said.
In posing questions to the crowd, Hamilton and company President Dennis Erokan wanted to know what makes Benicia unique, what tourism could do for the city and what the possible downsides are to a potential influx of visitors.
People cited the city's rich history and thriving art community as big possible draws, but noted that there is currently a disconnect between downtown and the historic arsenal area.
Along with increased crime and overcrowded parking, some residents voiced concerns that excessive tourism could cause Benicia to lose its authenticity, and said they didn't want to become another Sausalito.
Last month, the City Council approved a $40,000 contract with the Oakland-based company, which has also created branding campaigns for Fairfield and downtown Napa.
Between now and February, Hamilton said they will analyze Benicia's assets and create a "branding blueprint," including a logo, before determining groups and areas to target.
An Efficient Solano
An Efficient Solano
The Solano Economic Development Corporation will host its next member-investor breakfast, entitled "Energy Efficient Solano," on Nov. 29 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Fairfield.
Registration begins that day at 7:30 a.m. and the program will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Cost is $25 for members, $35 for non-members, and $35 at the door.
For more information, call 864-1855.
The Solano Economic Development Corporation will host its next member-investor breakfast, entitled "Energy Efficient Solano," on Nov. 29 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Fairfield.
Registration begins that day at 7:30 a.m. and the program will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Cost is $25 for members, $35 for non-members, and $35 at the door.
For more information, call 864-1855.
Iowa A Step Closer To Vallejo Berth
Iowa A Step Closer To Vallejo Berth
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen/Times-Herald, Vallejo
A verbal salvo from the U.S. Navy has brought a USS Iowa memorial and museum at Mare Island in Vallejo a giant step closer.
Mare Island is the only practical option for the mothballed battleship of World War II fame, according to the Navy, it was learned Thursday.
"The Navy has deemed our organization the only viable candidate, so the other parties are out of the running," said Merylin Wong of the Vallejo-based, nonprofit Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square. "We're very excited. We've survived the competitive bidding process."
San Francisco and Stockton also were competing to become the Iowa's permanent home, though only Stockton seemed to be seriously pursuing it. The bidding process, which included presenting the Navy details about logistics, funding, dredging, pier improvements and ship restoration, took about a year, though Wong's organization has been working toward bringing the Iowa to Vallejo for a decade, she said.
In a letter dated Oct. 31, Vice Admiral David Architzel wrote Wong that once evidence of firm financing has been received, the Navy will "further consider HSMPS' application for donation of ex-Iowa."
The letter was also sent to Rep. George Miller, D-Solano, who represents Vallejo, said spokesman Justin Hamilton.
"The Navy said it has made the determination that Vallejo is the best option," Hamilton said. "Congressman Miller would be very happy to have the Iowa in Vallejo. It's an important historic ship that played a major role in defending our country and it deserves a place of honor."
Miller lobbied hard to make Vallejo the top candidate, Hamilton said,
"A big, initial hurdle has been cleared," he said.
Nothing now stands in the way of bringing the Iowa to Vallejo except money, Wong said, adding that $15 million to $20 million must now be raised to realize the dream. Wong said some $3.5 million already has been spent trying to bring the historic ship to Mare Island. It has been in the Suisun Bay's mothball fleet for the past several years.
"We have national support for this, and now it depends on the will of the people, the public and the community to contribute," she said. "We now have this enormous opportunity to bring one of the Navy's greatest ships to berth at Mare Island as a visitors' attraction."
The Iowa was designated an FDR-commemorative site by the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, she added.
"It's tied to his legacy, which makes it an even more compelling attraction," Wong said.
Mare Island's main landlord, Lennar Mare Island, backs bringing the Iowa to Vallejo, said spokesman Jason Keadjian.
"We have supported the efforts to locate the USS Iowa to Mare Island and continue to be supportive," he said. "We feel the ship has the potential to be a positive amenity and contribution to Mare Island's re-use."
Keadjian noted the obstacles still to overcome, like financing, but calls the latest development "a step in the right direction."
Now the focus turns to fundraising, Wong said.
"We're looking for contributions, donations, guarantees, loans or pledges," she said.
Contributions can be sent to Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square, P.O. Box 361, Vallejo, 94590.
By Rachel Raskin-Zrihen/Times-Herald, Vallejo
A verbal salvo from the U.S. Navy has brought a USS Iowa memorial and museum at Mare Island in Vallejo a giant step closer.
Mare Island is the only practical option for the mothballed battleship of World War II fame, according to the Navy, it was learned Thursday.
"The Navy has deemed our organization the only viable candidate, so the other parties are out of the running," said Merylin Wong of the Vallejo-based, nonprofit Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square. "We're very excited. We've survived the competitive bidding process."
San Francisco and Stockton also were competing to become the Iowa's permanent home, though only Stockton seemed to be seriously pursuing it. The bidding process, which included presenting the Navy details about logistics, funding, dredging, pier improvements and ship restoration, took about a year, though Wong's organization has been working toward bringing the Iowa to Vallejo for a decade, she said.
In a letter dated Oct. 31, Vice Admiral David Architzel wrote Wong that once evidence of firm financing has been received, the Navy will "further consider HSMPS' application for donation of ex-Iowa."
The letter was also sent to Rep. George Miller, D-Solano, who represents Vallejo, said spokesman Justin Hamilton.
"The Navy said it has made the determination that Vallejo is the best option," Hamilton said. "Congressman Miller would be very happy to have the Iowa in Vallejo. It's an important historic ship that played a major role in defending our country and it deserves a place of honor."
Miller lobbied hard to make Vallejo the top candidate, Hamilton said,
"A big, initial hurdle has been cleared," he said.
Nothing now stands in the way of bringing the Iowa to Vallejo except money, Wong said, adding that $15 million to $20 million must now be raised to realize the dream. Wong said some $3.5 million already has been spent trying to bring the historic ship to Mare Island. It has been in the Suisun Bay's mothball fleet for the past several years.
"We have national support for this, and now it depends on the will of the people, the public and the community to contribute," she said. "We now have this enormous opportunity to bring one of the Navy's greatest ships to berth at Mare Island as a visitors' attraction."
The Iowa was designated an FDR-commemorative site by the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, she added.
"It's tied to his legacy, which makes it an even more compelling attraction," Wong said.
Mare Island's main landlord, Lennar Mare Island, backs bringing the Iowa to Vallejo, said spokesman Jason Keadjian.
"We have supported the efforts to locate the USS Iowa to Mare Island and continue to be supportive," he said. "We feel the ship has the potential to be a positive amenity and contribution to Mare Island's re-use."
Keadjian noted the obstacles still to overcome, like financing, but calls the latest development "a step in the right direction."
Now the focus turns to fundraising, Wong said.
"We're looking for contributions, donations, guarantees, loans or pledges," she said.
Contributions can be sent to Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square, P.O. Box 361, Vallejo, 94590.
City Staff Steers To County's Annual Transportation Awards
City Staff Steers To County's Annual Transportation Awards
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
City of Vacaville staff walked away with some hardware Wednesday night after being honored several times during the 10th annual Solano Transportation Awards.
The event took place at the historic Empress Theater in Vallejo and was put on by the Solano Transportation Authority.
The city of Vacaville earned honors as agency of the year, its Public Works Department won project delivery of the year and the newly-constructed Downtown Transit Plaza was named project of the year.
Genentech - the Vacaville campus - was named business of the year.
The awards reflect the work done by the city council, staff and management, said Mark Mazzaferro, public information officer for Vacaville.
"It was nice to do so well, that's for sure," Mazzaferro said. "In terms of being honored like we were last night, it's clearly a reflection on the city's commitment to a regional transportation solution as well as our own city."
Jayne Bauer, marketing and legislative program manager with the STA, said attendance was about 175 people, the largest she's seen in three years of organizing the event, which was a chance to focus on the positives.
"It was kind of special, it was the decade milestone," Bauer said. "Sometimes you only hear about the negative things in transportation, this is a chance to recognize those people behind the scenes who usually don't get recognized."
She said although it isn't a very competitive night, those who win do cherish the awards.
"It's quite an honor, but it's not a vicious competition," Bauer said. "It's a prestigious thing because people gather from all over the county. They have a nice-looking award they can display."
Other awards included:
• City of Benicia - Safety project of the year for its safe-routes-to-school program.
• Crystal Odum Ford - Transit employee of the year with the city of Vallejo/Vallejo Transit.
Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
City of Vacaville staff walked away with some hardware Wednesday night after being honored several times during the 10th annual Solano Transportation Awards.
The event took place at the historic Empress Theater in Vallejo and was put on by the Solano Transportation Authority.
The city of Vacaville earned honors as agency of the year, its Public Works Department won project delivery of the year and the newly-constructed Downtown Transit Plaza was named project of the year.
Genentech - the Vacaville campus - was named business of the year.
The awards reflect the work done by the city council, staff and management, said Mark Mazzaferro, public information officer for Vacaville.
"It was nice to do so well, that's for sure," Mazzaferro said. "In terms of being honored like we were last night, it's clearly a reflection on the city's commitment to a regional transportation solution as well as our own city."
Jayne Bauer, marketing and legislative program manager with the STA, said attendance was about 175 people, the largest she's seen in three years of organizing the event, which was a chance to focus on the positives.
"It was kind of special, it was the decade milestone," Bauer said. "Sometimes you only hear about the negative things in transportation, this is a chance to recognize those people behind the scenes who usually don't get recognized."
She said although it isn't a very competitive night, those who win do cherish the awards.
"It's quite an honor, but it's not a vicious competition," Bauer said. "It's a prestigious thing because people gather from all over the county. They have a nice-looking award they can display."
Other awards included:
• City of Benicia - Safety project of the year for its safe-routes-to-school program.
• Crystal Odum Ford - Transit employee of the year with the city of Vallejo/Vallejo Transit.
Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.
Farm Innovation: Walnut Waste Into Energy
Farm Innovation: Walnut Waste Into Energy
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
Russ Lester, owner of Dixon Ridge Farms in Winters, recently installed a system that converts walnut hulls into power and heat. (Rick Roach/The Reporter)
Standing where a gigantic mound of walnut hulls and shells sat just a month ago, a Winters farmer showed off his new toy this week - a machine that turns those walnut remains into energy for his farm.
Russ Lester, owner of Dixon Ridge Farms, was all smiles earlier this week as he unveiled the latest gadget on his farm. The BioMax 50, produced by the Community Power Corporation of Colorado, converts a range of biomass residues into energy, heat and eventually synthetic diesel fuel.
With the BioMax machine, GPS-guided tractors and 3,500 square feet of solar panels on the roofs of his farm, Lester said he has fully embraced a new ideology of farming. Although he admits the goal is lofty, his mission is to make his farm completely sustainable
"That's just the way we operate," Lester said while giving a tour of the machine. "We really embrace sustainable energy."
The BioMax machine is one of four in the world and one of only two being used on farms. Lester was able to obtain the $300,000 to $400,000 machine with grants, but did put about $30,000 into pouring concrete and other infrastructure.
Also on hand Tuesday were Community Power Corporation executives. Owner and President Robb Walt said he hopes to see more farms follow Lester's lead.
"The goal is to make farms completely energy sufficient," Walt said. "We like to say 'off the grid, off the pipeline.' This is an exciting solution to on-farm energy."
Some of the merits of the machine were on display as well. Heat being produced by the BioMax was being funneled into several walnut dryers, substituting for the propane Lester usually has to pay for. A canopy over the dryers then re-circulated the air back into the walnuts, re-using 40 percent of the heat.
He said during a typical four- or five-week drying season, his farm uses about 9,000 gallons of propane a week. That won't be necessary any longer.
"He re-uses the (discarded) shells, to dry the fresh shells," Walt said.
Getting the BioMax was more luck than anything else, Lester said. Through talking with an associate about sustainable energy, Community Power Corporation's name came up and the idea of burning the walnut hulls and shells was mentioned.
Lester said he made the call in the spring and talked with the company about the possibility of acquiring such a machine, but no deal was made.
"Then, about a month later, he called and asked me if I was still interested," Lester said. "It was one of those lucky things."
Lester's gain in acquiring the machine was a lumber mill's loss.
Walt said after six years of negotiating with a Northern California mill for wood, the deal finally fell through.
A few months later, Lester had his farm ready for installation of the BioMax 50.
"It's all about controlling the energy destination of our farms," Walt said. "It used to be all about making a profit. Once it's paid for, it's all free energy."
The BioMax 50, one of two operating in the world, converts walnut hulls into power and heat at Dixon Ridge Farms in Winters. It's one of many tools that owner Russ Lester is using to save energy and money at his farm. (Rick Roach/The Reporter) by 2012.
Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
Russ Lester, owner of Dixon Ridge Farms in Winters, recently installed a system that converts walnut hulls into power and heat. (Rick Roach/The Reporter)
Standing where a gigantic mound of walnut hulls and shells sat just a month ago, a Winters farmer showed off his new toy this week - a machine that turns those walnut remains into energy for his farm.
Russ Lester, owner of Dixon Ridge Farms, was all smiles earlier this week as he unveiled the latest gadget on his farm. The BioMax 50, produced by the Community Power Corporation of Colorado, converts a range of biomass residues into energy, heat and eventually synthetic diesel fuel.
With the BioMax machine, GPS-guided tractors and 3,500 square feet of solar panels on the roofs of his farm, Lester said he has fully embraced a new ideology of farming. Although he admits the goal is lofty, his mission is to make his farm completely sustainable
"That's just the way we operate," Lester said while giving a tour of the machine. "We really embrace sustainable energy."
The BioMax machine is one of four in the world and one of only two being used on farms. Lester was able to obtain the $300,000 to $400,000 machine with grants, but did put about $30,000 into pouring concrete and other infrastructure.
Also on hand Tuesday were Community Power Corporation executives. Owner and President Robb Walt said he hopes to see more farms follow Lester's lead.
"The goal is to make farms completely energy sufficient," Walt said. "We like to say 'off the grid, off the pipeline.' This is an exciting solution to on-farm energy."
Some of the merits of the machine were on display as well. Heat being produced by the BioMax was being funneled into several walnut dryers, substituting for the propane Lester usually has to pay for. A canopy over the dryers then re-circulated the air back into the walnuts, re-using 40 percent of the heat.
He said during a typical four- or five-week drying season, his farm uses about 9,000 gallons of propane a week. That won't be necessary any longer.
"He re-uses the (discarded) shells, to dry the fresh shells," Walt said.
Getting the BioMax was more luck than anything else, Lester said. Through talking with an associate about sustainable energy, Community Power Corporation's name came up and the idea of burning the walnut hulls and shells was mentioned.
Lester said he made the call in the spring and talked with the company about the possibility of acquiring such a machine, but no deal was made.
"Then, about a month later, he called and asked me if I was still interested," Lester said. "It was one of those lucky things."
Lester's gain in acquiring the machine was a lumber mill's loss.
Walt said after six years of negotiating with a Northern California mill for wood, the deal finally fell through.
A few months later, Lester had his farm ready for installation of the BioMax 50.
"It's all about controlling the energy destination of our farms," Walt said. "It used to be all about making a profit. Once it's paid for, it's all free energy."
The BioMax 50, one of two operating in the world, converts walnut hulls into power and heat at Dixon Ridge Farms in Winters. It's one of many tools that owner Russ Lester is using to save energy and money at his farm. (Rick Roach/The Reporter) by 2012.
Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.
Travis AFB plans major housing redevelopment
northbaybusinessjournal.com
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RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE: Travis AFB plans major housing redevelopment
Private developers hasten upgrade process; could mean work for local subs
BY WILLIAM JASON
STAFF REPORTER
FAIRFIELD – The Department of the Air Force is negotiating with an East Coast real estate company over a $500 million development project involving thousands of rental homes for service members at Fairfield’s Travis Air Force Base and two other bases.
Pennsylvania-based GMH Communities Trust (NYSE: GCT) has been selected to demolish 1,022 aging homes, build 358 new ones and renovate 106 units at Travis as well as carry out smaller projects at two other bases.
“It’s a total transformation of the communities here on Travis,” said Mark DuPree, housing manager for the base.
GMH will own and manage the 1,134 homes that will remain at Travis after the redevelopment as part of a 50-year contract, which also includes Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington and Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. GMH will lease the land from Travis for $1 per year and will be required to rent the homes to service members at special rates pegged to tenants’ military housing allowances.
The redevelopment at Travis is part of a nationwide initiative launched in 1996 by the Department of Defense to improve the quality of military housing by contracting with private developers. The companies acquire control of land for virtually no cost and pay for the construction costs with rental income, which is their sole revenue source.
“It’s been successful throughout the Department of Defense,” Mr. DuPree said. “[Private developers] can craft very large construction loans and use the basic housing allowance to pay the debt service.”
GMH declined to provide details on its plans for the project because the deal will not become official until the spring of 2008.
The general contractor for the Travis project will be Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc., an Atlanta-based subsidiary of a British construction firm, according to Mr. DuPree. The companies that redevelop base housing typically hire local construction companies to do much of the work, Mr. DuPree said.
“They sub out a lot of their work on the construction and renovation side,” he said.
Travis started upgrading its on-base housing through government-sponsored projects in 1999 and has built 541 new homes since then, according to Mr. DuPree. There is always a high demand for the new homes because many of the older ones are small and lack air conditioning, grounded electricity and other features, he said. The privatization program has allowed military bases to accelerate improvements.
“We are now getting military members coming from other bases that have privatized, and they come in with very high praise for the process,” Mr. DuPree said.
Travis is Solano County’s largest employer, with more than 14,000 military and civilian employees at its 6,383-acre facility.
This is a printer friendly version of an article from www.northbaybusinessjournal.com
To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.
Back Article published - Nov 12, 2007
RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE: Travis AFB plans major housing redevelopment
Private developers hasten upgrade process; could mean work for local subs
BY WILLIAM JASON
STAFF REPORTER
FAIRFIELD – The Department of the Air Force is negotiating with an East Coast real estate company over a $500 million development project involving thousands of rental homes for service members at Fairfield’s Travis Air Force Base and two other bases.
Pennsylvania-based GMH Communities Trust (NYSE: GCT) has been selected to demolish 1,022 aging homes, build 358 new ones and renovate 106 units at Travis as well as carry out smaller projects at two other bases.
“It’s a total transformation of the communities here on Travis,” said Mark DuPree, housing manager for the base.
GMH will own and manage the 1,134 homes that will remain at Travis after the redevelopment as part of a 50-year contract, which also includes Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington and Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. GMH will lease the land from Travis for $1 per year and will be required to rent the homes to service members at special rates pegged to tenants’ military housing allowances.
The redevelopment at Travis is part of a nationwide initiative launched in 1996 by the Department of Defense to improve the quality of military housing by contracting with private developers. The companies acquire control of land for virtually no cost and pay for the construction costs with rental income, which is their sole revenue source.
“It’s been successful throughout the Department of Defense,” Mr. DuPree said. “[Private developers] can craft very large construction loans and use the basic housing allowance to pay the debt service.”
GMH declined to provide details on its plans for the project because the deal will not become official until the spring of 2008.
The general contractor for the Travis project will be Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc., an Atlanta-based subsidiary of a British construction firm, according to Mr. DuPree. The companies that redevelop base housing typically hire local construction companies to do much of the work, Mr. DuPree said.
“They sub out a lot of their work on the construction and renovation side,” he said.
Travis started upgrading its on-base housing through government-sponsored projects in 1999 and has built 541 new homes since then, according to Mr. DuPree. There is always a high demand for the new homes because many of the older ones are small and lack air conditioning, grounded electricity and other features, he said. The privatization program has allowed military bases to accelerate improvements.
“We are now getting military members coming from other bases that have privatized, and they come in with very high praise for the process,” Mr. DuPree said.
Travis is Solano County’s largest employer, with more than 14,000 military and civilian employees at its 6,383-acre facility.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
UC Berkeley, BP Finally Sign Contract For Research Project
UC Berkeley, BP Finally Sign Contract For Research Project
Charles Burress, Chronicle Staff Writer
(11-14) 13:12 PST BERKELEY -- The long-delayed contract for the nation's biggest university-industry energy research project - a $500 million pact between oil giant BP and an academic partnership headed by UC Berkeley - has finally been signed, with at least one significant change.
The 10-year contract, unveiled by UC Berkeley officials Wednesday, establishes an Energy Biosciences Institute to discover better biofuels and other alternative energy breakthroughs. But it configures a different governing board than was presented after the plan was first announced in February.
The main oversight body, the governance board, will be have eight voting members with half coming from BP. The plan proposed by UC and presented to the public in the past called for five board members, with two from BP and three from the three academic partners: UC Berkeley, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Illinois. The new configuration gives the academic partners the same number of seats as BP.
The deal divides the research into two categories: an open component by the academic scientists that can be published in academic journals and a confidential, proprietary component by BP researchers stationed at the Berkeley and Illinois campuses. The contract specifies that at least $35 million of the annual $50 million funding be devoted to the open research.
to read the rest of the article check out the San Francisco Chronicle
Online Resources
The BP-UC contract:
www.energybiosciencesinstitute.org/images/stories/pressroom/FINAL_Execution_11-9.pdf
A UC Berkeley FAQ on the Energy Biosciences Institute:
www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2007/11/14_ebi-faq.shtml
The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights news release:
www.consumerwatchdog.org/energy/pr/?postId=8809
E-mail Charles Burress at cburress@sfchronicle.com
Charles Burress, Chronicle Staff Writer
(11-14) 13:12 PST BERKELEY -- The long-delayed contract for the nation's biggest university-industry energy research project - a $500 million pact between oil giant BP and an academic partnership headed by UC Berkeley - has finally been signed, with at least one significant change.
The 10-year contract, unveiled by UC Berkeley officials Wednesday, establishes an Energy Biosciences Institute to discover better biofuels and other alternative energy breakthroughs. But it configures a different governing board than was presented after the plan was first announced in February.
The main oversight body, the governance board, will be have eight voting members with half coming from BP. The plan proposed by UC and presented to the public in the past called for five board members, with two from BP and three from the three academic partners: UC Berkeley, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Illinois. The new configuration gives the academic partners the same number of seats as BP.
The deal divides the research into two categories: an open component by the academic scientists that can be published in academic journals and a confidential, proprietary component by BP researchers stationed at the Berkeley and Illinois campuses. The contract specifies that at least $35 million of the annual $50 million funding be devoted to the open research.
to read the rest of the article check out the San Francisco Chronicle
Online Resources
The BP-UC contract:
www.energybiosciencesinstitute.org/images/stories/pressroom/FINAL_Execution_11-9.pdf
A UC Berkeley FAQ on the Energy Biosciences Institute:
www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2007/11/14_ebi-faq.shtml
The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights news release:
www.consumerwatchdog.org/energy/pr/?postId=8809
E-mail Charles Burress at cburress@sfchronicle.com
Sutter Surgical Center Gets High Marks
Sutter Surgical Center Gets High Marks
Times-Herald staff report
FAIRFIELD - A new patient satisfaction survey ranks Sutter Fairfield Surgical Center in the top 1 percent of all ambulatory surgery centers in the Mountain and Western states.
The survey, conducted by Press Ganey Associates Inc., compared the Sutter Regional Medical Foundation-affiliated center to more than 7,000 health care facilities nationwide. It surveyed nearly 360 center patients between May 1 and July 31.
The facility was rated on staff friendliness, concern for patients' comfort, confidence in physicians' skills and keeping patients informed.
Nearly 80 percent of patient responses ranked the center as "very good." the scale's highest rating.
Opened in October 2004, the center is on the Sutter Fairfield Medical Campus, which includes the Sutter Fairfield Diagnostic Imaging Center and other Sutter Regional Medical Foundation services and medical offices.
Sutter Regional Medical Foundation is a locally governed and managed affiliate of Sutter Health, a nonprofit network of physicians and hospitals in Northern California.
Sutter Health is a nonprofit network of community-based health care providers, serving more than 100 Northern California communities with clinics in 11 Northern California counties, the press release notes.
Times-Herald staff report
FAIRFIELD - A new patient satisfaction survey ranks Sutter Fairfield Surgical Center in the top 1 percent of all ambulatory surgery centers in the Mountain and Western states.
The survey, conducted by Press Ganey Associates Inc., compared the Sutter Regional Medical Foundation-affiliated center to more than 7,000 health care facilities nationwide. It surveyed nearly 360 center patients between May 1 and July 31.
The facility was rated on staff friendliness, concern for patients' comfort, confidence in physicians' skills and keeping patients informed.
Nearly 80 percent of patient responses ranked the center as "very good." the scale's highest rating.
Opened in October 2004, the center is on the Sutter Fairfield Medical Campus, which includes the Sutter Fairfield Diagnostic Imaging Center and other Sutter Regional Medical Foundation services and medical offices.
Sutter Regional Medical Foundation is a locally governed and managed affiliate of Sutter Health, a nonprofit network of physicians and hospitals in Northern California.
Sutter Health is a nonprofit network of community-based health care providers, serving more than 100 Northern California communities with clinics in 11 Northern California counties, the press release notes.
Free Meals For A Year Mark Opening Of Mexican Restaurant
Free Meals For A Year Mark Opening Of Mexican Restaurant
By Ines Bebea | Daily Republic | November 14, 2007 15:29
VACAVILLE - Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill is opening at the Nut Tree Village on Friday with a splash. But for eager customers who are expected to camp outside the restaurant tonight, the grand opening can't happen soon enough.
For its opening in Vacaville, the Carlsbad-based company will give away free meals for a year to the first 100 guests who walk through the door. The guests will receive a gift card that entitles them to a free meal each week for a year. The total value of each card is $364, or $7 per meal for 52 weeks.
'Rubio's is world famous for their fish tacos, and we are counting on people to have a great time in a very festive atmosphere to prepare for the opening,' said Linda Duke, a spokeswoman for Rubio's. 'We expect to have at least 80 people by 7 a.m. even though the restaurant won't open for another three hours.
'This is going to be a great event for a community that is rapidly expanding their retail market and needs restaurants.'
The new 2,400-square-foot restaurant with seating for 70 will carry all the traditional recipes created by its founder, Ralph Rubio, almost 25 years ago. Since opening the first restaurant in San Diego's Mission Bay community, the restaurant chain has grown to 170 locations throughout California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado.
This will be the second restaurant in Solano County. The first opened in Vallejo almost five years ago.
'When Ralph Rubio opened his first restaurant in the Mission Bay, people traveled from miles away to savor one of our world famous fish tacos,' said Larry Rusinko, vice president of marketing for Rubio's, in a statement. 'Rubio's quickly became known for flavors and products that couldn't be found anywhere else. We are excited about our new Rubio's in Vacaville and bringing Rubio's unsurpassed quality and flavor to legions of new and existing fans.'
Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.
Who: Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill
Where: Nut Tree Village, 1651 E. Monte Vista Avenue, Suite 101, Vacaville
What: Grand opening
When: 10:30 a.m. Friday
By Ines Bebea | Daily Republic | November 14, 2007 15:29
VACAVILLE - Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill is opening at the Nut Tree Village on Friday with a splash. But for eager customers who are expected to camp outside the restaurant tonight, the grand opening can't happen soon enough.
For its opening in Vacaville, the Carlsbad-based company will give away free meals for a year to the first 100 guests who walk through the door. The guests will receive a gift card that entitles them to a free meal each week for a year. The total value of each card is $364, or $7 per meal for 52 weeks.
'Rubio's is world famous for their fish tacos, and we are counting on people to have a great time in a very festive atmosphere to prepare for the opening,' said Linda Duke, a spokeswoman for Rubio's. 'We expect to have at least 80 people by 7 a.m. even though the restaurant won't open for another three hours.
'This is going to be a great event for a community that is rapidly expanding their retail market and needs restaurants.'
The new 2,400-square-foot restaurant with seating for 70 will carry all the traditional recipes created by its founder, Ralph Rubio, almost 25 years ago. Since opening the first restaurant in San Diego's Mission Bay community, the restaurant chain has grown to 170 locations throughout California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado.
This will be the second restaurant in Solano County. The first opened in Vallejo almost five years ago.
'When Ralph Rubio opened his first restaurant in the Mission Bay, people traveled from miles away to savor one of our world famous fish tacos,' said Larry Rusinko, vice president of marketing for Rubio's, in a statement. 'Rubio's quickly became known for flavors and products that couldn't be found anywhere else. We are excited about our new Rubio's in Vacaville and bringing Rubio's unsurpassed quality and flavor to legions of new and existing fans.'
Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.
Who: Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill
Where: Nut Tree Village, 1651 E. Monte Vista Avenue, Suite 101, Vacaville
What: Grand opening
When: 10:30 a.m. Friday
Others Interested In Building Vacaville Hotel
Others Interested In Building Vacaville Hotel
By Ian Thompson | DAILY REPUBLIC | November 14, 2007 12:12
VACAVILLE - City leaders are already negotiating with an unnamed developer on getting a hotel and conference center the city wants built behind the new Nut Tree.
'We are in discussions now with a developer we had been in discussions with a year ago,' Assistant City Manager Laura Kuhn said.
If the city is unable to reach a deal with this developer, whom Kuhn declined to name, Vacaville will then go into the market to find another interested party, she said.
The city wants to build a four-story hotel with about 200 rooms and a 15,000-square-foot conference center on an 8-acre parcel near the Nut Tree Family Park.
'I am glad to see the conference hotel back on track,' Councilman Chuck Dimmick said. 'It will be a wonderful facility.'
Kuhn talked about the city's continuing efforts to get a hotel/conference center built Tuesday night after the City Council revised an agreement with Nut Tree developer Roger Snell to give him more time to expand the Nut Tree.
Vacaville had been in talks with the San Francisco-based Snell for some time about building a four-story hotel and conference center, which the city hopes will attract business people to the city.
In September, Snell stated he could no longer build the hotel the city wanted because of skyrocketing construction costs.
Councilmembers on Tuesday unanimously approved the change in the agreement and lauded Snell for what he has accomplished thus far in resurrecting the landmark.
'Roger Snell has done a wonderful job,' Councilman Steve Wilkins said. 'It has not been the easiest road for him.'
The revised agreement cuts Snell loose from the requirement to build the hotel and gives him two more years to build the second and third phases of the Nut Tree project.
These phases call for building several retail, restaurant and office buildings as well as apartments.
Reach Ian Thompson at 427-6976 or at ithompson@dailyrepublic.net.
By Ian Thompson | DAILY REPUBLIC | November 14, 2007 12:12
VACAVILLE - City leaders are already negotiating with an unnamed developer on getting a hotel and conference center the city wants built behind the new Nut Tree.
'We are in discussions now with a developer we had been in discussions with a year ago,' Assistant City Manager Laura Kuhn said.
If the city is unable to reach a deal with this developer, whom Kuhn declined to name, Vacaville will then go into the market to find another interested party, she said.
The city wants to build a four-story hotel with about 200 rooms and a 15,000-square-foot conference center on an 8-acre parcel near the Nut Tree Family Park.
'I am glad to see the conference hotel back on track,' Councilman Chuck Dimmick said. 'It will be a wonderful facility.'
Kuhn talked about the city's continuing efforts to get a hotel/conference center built Tuesday night after the City Council revised an agreement with Nut Tree developer Roger Snell to give him more time to expand the Nut Tree.
Vacaville had been in talks with the San Francisco-based Snell for some time about building a four-story hotel and conference center, which the city hopes will attract business people to the city.
In September, Snell stated he could no longer build the hotel the city wanted because of skyrocketing construction costs.
Councilmembers on Tuesday unanimously approved the change in the agreement and lauded Snell for what he has accomplished thus far in resurrecting the landmark.
'Roger Snell has done a wonderful job,' Councilman Steve Wilkins said. 'It has not been the easiest road for him.'
The revised agreement cuts Snell loose from the requirement to build the hotel and gives him two more years to build the second and third phases of the Nut Tree project.
These phases call for building several retail, restaurant and office buildings as well as apartments.
Reach Ian Thompson at 427-6976 or at ithompson@dailyrepublic.net.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
AMPORTS signs agreement with Toyota Logistics Services Inc. to process imported vehicles from Japan at AMPORTS' Benicia, California facility.
September 2005
AMPORTS signs agreement with Toyota Logistics Services Inc. to process imported vehicles from Japan at AMPORTS' Benicia, California facility.
The initial contract is for five years, with two five-year options for renewal. Toyota estimates that approximately 65,000 vehicles will be shipped through Benicia during the first year of the service, with the figure rising to 100,000 or more units in the following years. Work is underway on preparing the facilities to accommodate the increased volumes and variety of models of Toyotas that will start to arrive in mid January 2006.
AMPORTS Benicia and Baltimore have a long-standing relationship with Toyota, Baltimore currently handles Toyota exports to the Middle East and Germany, and Benicia handles exports to Hawaii.
Chief Executive Officer James Davis explained, “As one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers, Toyota is renowned for its precision and stringent quality standards. Appointing AMPORTS to undertake its vehicle processing is a great testament to the skill and experience of the workforce. It is a great badge of honour for the company, and says a lot about our reputation in the port processing market place.”
"We look forward to working with the Port of Benicia," said Alan DeCarr, Group Vice President for TLS and international operations. "The new arrangement enables us to continue to efficiently support our vehicle distribution demands."
Notes for Editors:
AMPORTS Benicia is located 16 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge at the headwaters of the San Francisco Bay with easy access to I-80 for inland transportation. The port is comprised of 675 privately owned acres, of the 4,000-acre Benicia Industrial Park with 140,000 sq. ft. of vehicle processing buildings. The Benicia deep-water pier, measuring 2,395 feet in length, is capable of berthing three vessels simultaneously. On terminal rail is serviced by Union Pacific.
AMPORTS is one of the largest portside vehicle processing business in the United States, with over 40 years of experience, innovation and quality performance in the industry.
AMPORTS has six port facilities located in Jacksonville, Florida; Brunswick, Georgia; Benicia, California; and three facilities in Baltimore, Maryland. Our Corporate Headquarters office is located in our Jacksonville, Florida facility and a Corporate Branch Office at our Atlantic facility in Baltimore, Maryland.
AMPORTS signs agreement with Toyota Logistics Services Inc. to process imported vehicles from Japan at AMPORTS' Benicia, California facility.
The initial contract is for five years, with two five-year options for renewal. Toyota estimates that approximately 65,000 vehicles will be shipped through Benicia during the first year of the service, with the figure rising to 100,000 or more units in the following years. Work is underway on preparing the facilities to accommodate the increased volumes and variety of models of Toyotas that will start to arrive in mid January 2006.
AMPORTS Benicia and Baltimore have a long-standing relationship with Toyota, Baltimore currently handles Toyota exports to the Middle East and Germany, and Benicia handles exports to Hawaii.
Chief Executive Officer James Davis explained, “As one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers, Toyota is renowned for its precision and stringent quality standards. Appointing AMPORTS to undertake its vehicle processing is a great testament to the skill and experience of the workforce. It is a great badge of honour for the company, and says a lot about our reputation in the port processing market place.”
"We look forward to working with the Port of Benicia," said Alan DeCarr, Group Vice President for TLS and international operations. "The new arrangement enables us to continue to efficiently support our vehicle distribution demands."
Notes for Editors:
AMPORTS Benicia is located 16 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge at the headwaters of the San Francisco Bay with easy access to I-80 for inland transportation. The port is comprised of 675 privately owned acres, of the 4,000-acre Benicia Industrial Park with 140,000 sq. ft. of vehicle processing buildings. The Benicia deep-water pier, measuring 2,395 feet in length, is capable of berthing three vessels simultaneously. On terminal rail is serviced by Union Pacific.
AMPORTS is one of the largest portside vehicle processing business in the United States, with over 40 years of experience, innovation and quality performance in the industry.
AMPORTS has six port facilities located in Jacksonville, Florida; Brunswick, Georgia; Benicia, California; and three facilities in Baltimore, Maryland. Our Corporate Headquarters office is located in our Jacksonville, Florida facility and a Corporate Branch Office at our Atlantic facility in Baltimore, Maryland.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Mare Island Developer Marketing Town Center
Mare Island Developer Marketing Town Center
East Bay Business Times
by Jessica Saunders
Shown here, a portion of the 83-acre Mare Island Town Center area recently approved for development by the city of Vallejo.Photo courtesy of Lennar Mare Island LLC
View Larger The master developer of Mare Island is marketing 23 parcels of commercial property envisioned as the business district of the former naval shipyard, but the land can't be sold to third parties until environmental cleanup is completed.
Signoff by environmental regulatory agencies on the 83-acre Town Center site is expected by the middle of next year, Lennar Mare Island LLC spokesman Jason Keadjian said. The developer is "dual-tracking" the development and environmental remediation processes.
The city of Vallejo OK'd a tentative vesting map for the district bounded by Railroad Avenue, Azuar Drive, Connolly Street and G Street at the Aug. 20 Planning Commission meeting. The area is entitled for 1,110,00 square feet of office, research and development and light industrial use and 130,000 square feet of civic and education uses.
Several retail developers are interested in developing one or more parcels for banks, dry cleaners or small grocery stores, Keadjian said.
Currently, there are more than 90 businesses on Mare Island, providing 1,544 full-time jobs and 280 part-time jobs. The largest employer is the Western regional headquarters of the U.S. Forest Service, with 350 employees, followed by Jeffco Painting & Coating Inc./Abrasive Blasting & Coating/FBC Systems Inc. (all related companies), XKT Engineering Inc., Touro University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The commercial district development comes as Touro University is working on an agreement with the city to build the nation's first heavy-ion, particle-therapy cancer treatment center on the northern end of the island. The college envisions a research and education campus on 191 acres on the north island, an expansion of the current campus on 44 acres to the south. It's negotiating with Lennar Mare Island to purchase the south campus which it currently leases.
Mare Island history
Mare Island, a 5,200-acre stretch of land across the Mare Island Strait from Vallejo, became the first naval shipyard on the West Coast in 1854. It was once a natural island in San Pablo Bay just west of Vallejo, but infill from waterway dredging over time made it a peninsula with the Bay on the western side and the Mare Island Strait/Napa River on its eastern side. Of the 5,200 acres, about 1,400 can be developed.
The Mare Island shipyard grew into the largest industrial plant in the state and Solano County's largest employer, but the federal government closed it in 1995. Lennar Mare Island LLC, a joint venture of home builder Lennar Inc. of Miami and real estate investment, finance and management company LNR Property Corp. of Miami Beach, Fla., was named master developer for 653 acres. In 2002, the Navy transferred the land to the city, which immediately transferred it to Lennar Mare Island. It was the largest early transfer of former military land in California.
jsaunders@bizjournals.com | 925-598-1427
East Bay Business Times
by Jessica Saunders
Shown here, a portion of the 83-acre Mare Island Town Center area recently approved for development by the city of Vallejo.Photo courtesy of Lennar Mare Island LLC
View Larger The master developer of Mare Island is marketing 23 parcels of commercial property envisioned as the business district of the former naval shipyard, but the land can't be sold to third parties until environmental cleanup is completed.
Signoff by environmental regulatory agencies on the 83-acre Town Center site is expected by the middle of next year, Lennar Mare Island LLC spokesman Jason Keadjian said. The developer is "dual-tracking" the development and environmental remediation processes.
The city of Vallejo OK'd a tentative vesting map for the district bounded by Railroad Avenue, Azuar Drive, Connolly Street and G Street at the Aug. 20 Planning Commission meeting. The area is entitled for 1,110,00 square feet of office, research and development and light industrial use and 130,000 square feet of civic and education uses.
Several retail developers are interested in developing one or more parcels for banks, dry cleaners or small grocery stores, Keadjian said.
Currently, there are more than 90 businesses on Mare Island, providing 1,544 full-time jobs and 280 part-time jobs. The largest employer is the Western regional headquarters of the U.S. Forest Service, with 350 employees, followed by Jeffco Painting & Coating Inc./Abrasive Blasting & Coating/FBC Systems Inc. (all related companies), XKT Engineering Inc., Touro University and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The commercial district development comes as Touro University is working on an agreement with the city to build the nation's first heavy-ion, particle-therapy cancer treatment center on the northern end of the island. The college envisions a research and education campus on 191 acres on the north island, an expansion of the current campus on 44 acres to the south. It's negotiating with Lennar Mare Island to purchase the south campus which it currently leases.
Mare Island history
Mare Island, a 5,200-acre stretch of land across the Mare Island Strait from Vallejo, became the first naval shipyard on the West Coast in 1854. It was once a natural island in San Pablo Bay just west of Vallejo, but infill from waterway dredging over time made it a peninsula with the Bay on the western side and the Mare Island Strait/Napa River on its eastern side. Of the 5,200 acres, about 1,400 can be developed.
The Mare Island shipyard grew into the largest industrial plant in the state and Solano County's largest employer, but the federal government closed it in 1995. Lennar Mare Island LLC, a joint venture of home builder Lennar Inc. of Miami and real estate investment, finance and management company LNR Property Corp. of Miami Beach, Fla., was named master developer for 653 acres. In 2002, the Navy transferred the land to the city, which immediately transferred it to Lennar Mare Island. It was the largest early transfer of former military land in California.
jsaunders@bizjournals.com | 925-598-1427
Sutter To Offer Advanced Cancer Treatment
Sutter To Offer Advanced Cancer Treatment
New Form Of Radiation Therapy Provides Quicker, More Accurate Treatment For Several Cancers
By RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN
The Linear Accelerator rotates around the patient and stops at the prescribed angle determined during the treatment planning stage. (Photo courtesy of Varian Medical Systems) Times-Herald staff writer
As the Sutter Solano Cancer Center nears its second anniversary, its staff is gearing up to offer more advanced treatments for a wider range of cancers than before, hospital officials said Monday.
Center patients who might previously have had more traditional treatments, like chemotherapy or surgery, now have access to Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), said Janice Hoss, the center's cancer services director. IMRT offers a quicker, more accurate treatment for several cancer types, Hoss said. Breast, prostate, head, neck and lung cancers are among those that can now be treated with the new technology, she added.
"We've gotten more sophisticated with the use of this equipment, and with who we can offer treatment to," Hoss said. "We started out doing the standard treatments, as we got more familiar with the technology, and we're ready to take the next step."
Besides being able to treat a wider range of cancers, the IMRT is more accurate than traditional treatments, better targeting the tumors while sparing healthy tissue from damage, said center radiology oncologists Terry Pierce and Patricia Seid.
"We feel we're maximizing what we have," Seid said.
And as the center begins to see more patients, it continues adding more features, Hoss said.
"More and more people are discovering us and appreciating the (intentionally serene, and less clinical-looking) atmosphere here, when they're really sick," Hoss said.
The center also soon begins national clinical colo-rectal cancer trials and expects to begin using respiratory gating, which tracks a tumor's movement as the patient breathes, helping doctors better direct the radiation beam, Hoss said. The center also recently added genetic counseling to its medical offerings, she said.
Genetic counseling helps identify a family history of cancer and provides genetic testing where appropriate, she added. In five to 10 percent of those diagnosed with cancer, a hereditary component exists, meaning the person has inherited an increased risk for developing the disease, Hoss said. Genetic counseling can help catch problems early.
For information on genetic testing at Sutter Solano Cancer Center, call 551-3400.
• E-mail Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at RachelZ@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6824.
New Form Of Radiation Therapy Provides Quicker, More Accurate Treatment For Several Cancers
By RACHEL RASKIN-ZRIHEN
The Linear Accelerator rotates around the patient and stops at the prescribed angle determined during the treatment planning stage. (Photo courtesy of Varian Medical Systems) Times-Herald staff writer
As the Sutter Solano Cancer Center nears its second anniversary, its staff is gearing up to offer more advanced treatments for a wider range of cancers than before, hospital officials said Monday.
Center patients who might previously have had more traditional treatments, like chemotherapy or surgery, now have access to Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), said Janice Hoss, the center's cancer services director. IMRT offers a quicker, more accurate treatment for several cancer types, Hoss said. Breast, prostate, head, neck and lung cancers are among those that can now be treated with the new technology, she added.
"We've gotten more sophisticated with the use of this equipment, and with who we can offer treatment to," Hoss said. "We started out doing the standard treatments, as we got more familiar with the technology, and we're ready to take the next step."
Besides being able to treat a wider range of cancers, the IMRT is more accurate than traditional treatments, better targeting the tumors while sparing healthy tissue from damage, said center radiology oncologists Terry Pierce and Patricia Seid.
"We feel we're maximizing what we have," Seid said.
And as the center begins to see more patients, it continues adding more features, Hoss said.
"More and more people are discovering us and appreciating the (intentionally serene, and less clinical-looking) atmosphere here, when they're really sick," Hoss said.
The center also soon begins national clinical colo-rectal cancer trials and expects to begin using respiratory gating, which tracks a tumor's movement as the patient breathes, helping doctors better direct the radiation beam, Hoss said. The center also recently added genetic counseling to its medical offerings, she said.
Genetic counseling helps identify a family history of cancer and provides genetic testing where appropriate, she added. In five to 10 percent of those diagnosed with cancer, a hereditary component exists, meaning the person has inherited an increased risk for developing the disease, Hoss said. Genetic counseling can help catch problems early.
For information on genetic testing at Sutter Solano Cancer Center, call 551-3400.
• E-mail Rachel Raskin-Zrihen at RachelZ@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6824.
Brewery Honored
Brewery Honored
11/13/2007
Out of a pool of 2,500 firms, local beer manufacturer Anheuser-Busch ranked 35th in the nation for providing a military-friendly environment, based on an analysis by G.I. Jobs.
The criteria for rankings included assets dedicated to military hiring, percent of new hires in the past two years who are veterans Reserve/Guard policies and veteran recruitment/training/promotional programs. More info at www.gijobs.net.
11/13/2007
Out of a pool of 2,500 firms, local beer manufacturer Anheuser-Busch ranked 35th in the nation for providing a military-friendly environment, based on an analysis by G.I. Jobs.
The criteria for rankings included assets dedicated to military hiring, percent of new hires in the past two years who are veterans Reserve/Guard policies and veteran recruitment/training/promotional programs. More info at www.gijobs.net.
As Businesses Grow, So Does Revenue
As Businesses Grow, So Does Revenue -- Vacaville Reaps Benefits From Uptick In Property Taxes
By Ines Bebea | Daily Republic | November 12, 2007
VACAVILLE - With some of Vacaville's top employers in the process of expansion projects, the city is in line to collect more taxes from an old revenue source, commercial and industrial properties.
In a 2007-08 Property Tax Review report, prepared by The HdL Companies, the city experienced a net taxable value increase of 14.1 percent. The growth, which was higher than the 9.3 percent experienced countrywide, increased by a total of $1.4 billion, according to the report.
'What this means for the city is that the we will have more funds for our redevelopment agencies and that we will be able to offer incentives to companies that want to remain in Vacaville or to companies thinking about being in business here,' Vacaville City Councilwoman Pauline Clancy said. 'Our commercial properties are doing quite well.'
The HdL Companies is a Diamond Bar-based firm that assists cities, counties and redevelopment agencies in maximizing revenues through allocation audits, financial and economic analysis.
'Because commercial property taxes are not added to the general fund and instead are used by the redevelopment agencies, we will be able to have more resources for certain areas,' Clancy said. 'It will give the redevelopment agencies of downtown Vacaville and Interstate 80 and Interstate 505 retail areas funds to attract and keep businesses.'
According to the report, the largest assessed increase came from the industrial parcel owned by Genentech. The property was reassessed last year and it added $458 million. Other developments contributing to the increase are Nut Tree Inc. with $76 million and CPG Finance II LP with $32 million.
Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.
By Ines Bebea | Daily Republic | November 12, 2007
VACAVILLE - With some of Vacaville's top employers in the process of expansion projects, the city is in line to collect more taxes from an old revenue source, commercial and industrial properties.
In a 2007-08 Property Tax Review report, prepared by The HdL Companies, the city experienced a net taxable value increase of 14.1 percent. The growth, which was higher than the 9.3 percent experienced countrywide, increased by a total of $1.4 billion, according to the report.
'What this means for the city is that the we will have more funds for our redevelopment agencies and that we will be able to offer incentives to companies that want to remain in Vacaville or to companies thinking about being in business here,' Vacaville City Councilwoman Pauline Clancy said. 'Our commercial properties are doing quite well.'
The HdL Companies is a Diamond Bar-based firm that assists cities, counties and redevelopment agencies in maximizing revenues through allocation audits, financial and economic analysis.
'Because commercial property taxes are not added to the general fund and instead are used by the redevelopment agencies, we will be able to have more resources for certain areas,' Clancy said. 'It will give the redevelopment agencies of downtown Vacaville and Interstate 80 and Interstate 505 retail areas funds to attract and keep businesses.'
According to the report, the largest assessed increase came from the industrial parcel owned by Genentech. The property was reassessed last year and it added $458 million. Other developments contributing to the increase are Nut Tree Inc. with $76 million and CPG Finance II LP with $32 million.
Reach Ines Bebea at 427-6934 or ibebea@dailyrepublic.net.
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