Allegis Residential Services

An artist’s conception of an expanded San Ysidro Land Port of Entry. (Submitted by Miller Hull Partnership, 2010)

Of San Ysidro Port of Entry Expansion

The $1.1 trillion spending bill signed by President Barack Obama this week completes the funding of an expansion project at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, a top priority for the region’s business community.

The bill provides $216 million for a new pedestrian crossing and administrative building. The border crossing is a major driver of the local economy.

“The full funding of the expansion project allows the city of San Diego and our partners throughout the region to focus on making our border more efficient and effective, ” said Mayor Kevin Faulconer. “The shorter wait times will promote job growth and increase opportunities for bi-national trade.”

Area business leaders have complained that long wait times to cross into the United States from Mexico have cost the regional economy billions of dollars over the years, especially in the era of heightened security following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

San Ysidro is the busiest land border crossing in the western hemisphere and processes an average of 50, 000 northbound vehicles and 25, 000 northbound pedestrians daily. The San Diego Association of Governments projects an 87 percent increase in vehicle traffic in San Ysidro by 2030, making its reconfiguration and expansion a priority for the region.

The completion of the expansion project “will result in more jobs, greater border safety and efficiency, and increased economic growth, ” said Rep. Juan Vargas (D-San Diego), who represents the border area.

According to the mayor’s office, once the 5 million project is completed, the port will have 62 northbound vehicle inspection booths, a dedicated bus lane, an inspection booth spread over 34 lanes and improved processing facilities for buses and members of a rapid inspection program. Also, the crossing into Mexico will be expanded from five to 10 lanes.

– City News Service

Hines Purchases Carlsbad Building for $23.4 Million

Hines Interests Limited Partnership has purchased a Carlsbad building leased to Acushnet Company for $23.4 million. The 161, 310-square-foot manufacturing and R&D building is located at 2819 Loker Ave. East. The seller was JP Morgan Chase.

Acushnet is the sole tenant of the building. The golf-related company, which carries Titleist, FootJoy, Pinnacle and Scotty Cameron brands, has occupied the building for more than 15 years. It recently extended its lease through July 2019.

Cassidy Turley represented the seller in the transaction.

At San Diego International Airport

Travelers arriving at San Diego International Airport may soon be hailing newer, cleaner taxicabs. County Supervisor Greg Cox and the county’s Air Pollution Control District are proposing a pilot program that would help owners of airport-based cabs to trade in their older, polluting cars for new, fuel-efficient vehicles.

“We want to get these older taxis that pollute and guzzle more gas off the roads and replace them with cleaner, greener cabs, ” said Cox.

Cox, who is also an Airport Authority board member, will propose to the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 7 a taxicab trade in grant program. The board also sits as the Air Pollution Control District governing authority.

The pilot program would enable taxicab owners who have permits to operate at the airport to upgrade their older, gasoline-powered vehicles to hybrid, CNG or alternative fuel taxis. Owners would receive a rebate between $3, 500 and $4, 000 after the purchase of a hybrid, CNG or alternative fuel vehicle. The owners would also pay reduced airport fees for converting to alternative fuel vehicles.

“Taxis are a vital link in the region’s transportation network, especially for the many tourists and visitors who come through our airport, ” said Cox. “This program can save energy and improve air quality.”

More than 350 cabs operate at the airport today. If the pilot program is successful, it could be expanded throughout the region.

Allegis Residential Services Inc.

Family-owned community management company S.H.E. Manages Properties Inc. has acquired Allegis Residential Services Inc. The combined companies now do business as ASPM-San Diego and have doubled in size.

“The ASPM name reflects a unified, shared vision among the principals, and we agree that greater efficiency and offering a wide range of affordable solutions are key factors in our company’s success, ” said Karen Martinez, chief executive officer of ASPM. “We were one of the first community management companies in San Diego to employ licensed general contractors, offer in-house maintenance and janitorial services, and online bill-paying, and we have always been a leader in our local industry in that respect.”