This special series of reports highlights the progress, future development, business leadership and revitalization efforts taking place in South County.
With the city of Imperial Beach wanting to revitalize its oceanfront and Pacifica Cos. needing to remodel one of their hotels, the construction of the new Seacoast Inn has just received its final approval and is anticipated to be completed in fall 2009.
With increasing amounts of National City land being allocated for industrial use, much of the city's bay front is being converted into land for commercial and tourism purposes.
What's the secret to long life? Among other things, friends. According to a 10-year longevity study of people aged 70 and older, researchers at the Centre for Ageing Studies at Flinders University in Australia found that a solid network of good friends is likely to increase longevity in older people -- even more than family ties. And what better way to maintain a network of friendships than living in a close-knit community?
One of Coronado's great lasting traditions is Lee Mather Company Realtors, located at 944 Orange Ave., just off the beach and along Coronado's main street. Lee Mather Co. has served the people of Coronado and the greater San Diego area for more than 50 years. Founded in 1953 by Lee Mather, a World War II veteran, it has remained a family business and mainstay in the Coronado community.
The city of Tijuana -- or TVjuana, as referred to in previous years for being the world's leading manufacturer of televisions sets -- has shown its ability to adapt to changing world trends. Although still an important manufacturer of TVs, Tijuana has expanded significantly into other manufacturing sectors such as medical devices, aerospace and automotive.
Brown Field Airport, situated in Otay Mesa, operates as a general aviation field and is a designated port of entry for private aircraft. It is also utilized by military and government agencies. Since the city of San Diego acquired the airport in 1962, development has been limited and the airport is underutilized as a result. Several development plans and proposals have been submitted over the years, without success, but that may be about to change.
Pardee Homes has started construction on a new, state-of-the-art condominium community in master-planned Ocean View Hills. RiverEdge Terrace will offer modern condominium living at a great value in the burgeoning South County. This new collection of homes is expected to meet the needs of first-time buyers and provide a host of on-site amenities with pricing anticipated to start in the mid-$200,000s.
National City is a thriving binational region of 5 million consumers. The city's competitive edge is its central location, transportation network and business industry. Positioned for prosperity, National City is within proximity to the San Diego Bay, U.S.-Mexico border, downtown San Diego, the international airport, rail service, San Diego State University and other colleges and universities.
Located off Interstate 805 and Sweetwater Road, the Westfield Plaza Bonita expansion is set to be complete this month. The extensive expansion includes the addition of a 14-screen AMC theater; three family restaurants including Sharky's, Johnny Rockets and El Torito; and several new retailers including G by Guess, Zumiez, Wet Seal and Borders, among others.
The first unified voice of commerce, spanning the entire California/ Baja California binational region, has been established -- named the Binational Chamber of Border Commerce (BCoBC). The BCoBC is a conglomeration of the Mexican chambers of commerce of all five Baja California municipalities and the United States' chambers of commerce from San Ysidro to Calexico, including the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corp. (IVEDC) and the South County Economic Development Council (SCEDC).
For the seventh year in a row, the city of Chula Vista has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The honor comes from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada, and was awarded to the city for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year 2006-2007.
Since 1937, the Coronado Chamber of Commerce has served the business community to create a strong local economy, promote local businesses, provide networking opportunities and represent the interests of business with government.
The city of Chula Vista is at the forefront of environmental policy. This spring, the City Council adopted seven precedent-setting measures that, when fully implemented, are expected to bring residents cleaner air, less congested streets and lower energy bills.
Otay Ranch Town Center is the premier shopping destination for the South Bay. Opened in 2006, this 850,000-square-foot, open-air center was the first of its kind in the region. Boasting many outdoor water features, such as the popular children's popper fountain, this lifestyle center is not only a great place to shop; it's a special place for gathering and a venue for special events.
It seems like an idea any environmentalist would embrace: Build one of the world's largest solar power operations in the Southern California desert and surround it with plants that run on wind and underground heat.
A new counterterrorism training facility operated by military security contractor Blackwater Worldwide echoed June 5 with the grunts of Navy sailors, just hours after a federal judge ordered city officials to let classes begin.
Otay-Tijuana Venture LLC, a private partnership, is developing plans for a pedestrian cross-border facility in San Diego on the Otay Mesa border. The facility would provide convenient, fast, safe, secure and direct access to and from Tijuana Airport for ticketed passengers only.
San Diego and Tijuana thrive largely due to a highly developed transportation network. In addition to the current infrastructure that includes rail, trolley, ports, border crossings and expressways, numerous projects are underway to further support the anticipated growth in this area.
While South Bay and the entire San Diego region boast a superb quality of life and a strong, diversified economy, the region must continue to look for ways to remain competitive in the economic development arena. Providing business incentives and assistance programs is a key economic development strategy of the city of San Diego and other local cities. These efforts help retain existing businesses, promote business growth, create jobs and increase investment in the San Diego region.
With the comment period for the California Energy Commission's Preliminary Staff Assessment nearing a close on the 100-megawatt Chula Vista Energy Upgrade Project, there continues to be controversy and opposition surrounding the development.
The highly anticipated revised draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan was released for public comment on Friday, and those interested have until July 8 to wade through more than 10,000 pages of information.
Chula Vista’s program to avoid scraggly lawns and broken windows at foreclosed properties is catching the country's attention.
The city of Chula Vista is seeking applicants to serve a four-year term on the Civil Service Commission.
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce released its economic impact study Monday for the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry that shows billions of dollars of revenue potential for San Diego County.
The SR 905 freeway job is getting started, but it will take years and hundreds of millions of dollars to complete the border infrastructure plan.
With the recent trend of redevelopment going on and the lack of new elderly housing in National City, Generations LLC and Adventist Health Systems-West is bringing a $130 million project that will suffice both areas.
With the growing trend of being more environmentally friendly and finding methods to accomplish this, Chula Vista has taken a giant step forward in making the city greener.
Ron Morrison's office is covered in stuffed animals, but not of the cuddly, cotton variety.
Dairy farms and lemon groves filled the Chula Vista landscape when David Camarata grew up there. Now, this rapidly growing city is home to one of the top 10 fastest growing companies in San Diego: MTCSC.
It seems like an idea any environmentalist would embrace: Build one of the world's largest solar power operations in the Southern California desert and surround it with plants that run on wind and underground heat.
A new counterterrorism training facility operated by military security contractor Blackwater Worldwide echoed June 5 with the grunts of Navy sailors, just hours after a federal judge ordered city officials to let classes begin.
This special section examines civic and business leadership, development opportunities and revitalization efforts in the South County region of San Diego.
In this special report we discuss the forces that are driving growth and development in South County, with a focus on progress, future development and revitalization efforts.
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