EMBASSY SUITES SOLD

San Diego U-T reported that the Embassy Suites San Diego Bay hotel has been sold to Pebblebrook Hotel Trust for $112.5 million.  The Maryland-based real estate investment trust also owns the 450 room Westin Gaslamp Quarter property. CFO Raymond Martz told the U-T that Pebblebrook appreciates San Diego “because of its appeal as a strong leisure and convention destination.” According to the story, Pebblebrook plans to invest approximately $7 million in the hotel over the next two years. The hotel is located at the corner of Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway near Seaport Village, Downtown. Formerly managed by Hilton, it will now be operated by HEI Hotels and Resorts.

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WEST BROADWAY

The portion of West Broadway between Pacific Highway and North Harbor Drive is closed to vehicular traffic until summer of 2013 while the Port of San Diego continues the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase 1. The project will allow contractors to relocate and install new utilities, adjust grades and install paving for new roadway and walkway surfaces. The closure will be in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase 1 project is a joint project with the City of San Diego, Civic San Diego and the Port of San Diego. The $28 million project will create a new public open space for residents and visitors including a 105-foot-wide esplanade with formal gardens, plazas, shade pavilions and a waterfront promenade. The completion of the entire project is expected to be April 2014.

HORTON PLAZA PARK A ‘GO’

One of many projects stuck in limbo after the state of California’s liquidation of redevelopment funding in 2011, the Horton Plaza Park Project got authorization to move forward from the State of California Department of Finance this week, as announced by Council President Todd Gloria in a press release. The park had been one of many projects the City of San Diego had resubmitted for consideration.

“This reversal of a prior decision is very good news. Horton Plaza Park will be a great benefit to our Downtown neighborhood and an asset in which all San Diegans can take pride,” said Council President Todd Gloria, who now represents the area.  “This project is the hallmark of what good redevelopment and a unique public-private partnership can accomplish, and my hope is strengthened that other impactful projects will gain similarly positive reviews from the State.”

The project, scheduled to encompass the existing park and fountain area of Horton Plaza along Broadway and Fourth Avenue, as well as a building that at one time housed a department store, was already well into its demolition stages. Once completed, the park will be comprised of 1.3 acres and offer residents and visitors an urban park setting. It is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS SOMMELIER WINS TOP HONOR

Joshua Orr, house sommelier and bar manager of Marina Kitchen located at the Marriott Marquis Downtown, recently advanced to the second round of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs 2013 Young Sommelier Competition, which kicked off in December. The distinction identifies him as one of the 25 top young sommeliers in the nation. “It’s such an honor to be recognized as one of the country’s top 25 young sommeliers,” said Orr in a press release.  “It is with great esteem that I move onto the second round and I hope to advance to the finals as the West’s regional winner.” Founded in Paris in 1248, the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is the world’s oldest international gastronomic society and is devoted to preserving and promoting excellence in all areas of the hospitality arts.The next stage of the competition will take place at six different locations between January and March. Prior to joining Marina Kitchen, Orr, who holds an Advanced Sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, worked in Las Vegas. He is currently on track to pass his certification for Master Sommelier this spring.

CITY EMERGENCY SERVICES RFP DELAYED, SERVICES SET TO EXPIRE

The city’s contract for emergency medical services (EMS) is scheduled to expire in June, and the City has yet to publish the new Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking bidders for a new contract. The RFP received final approval from the State and County in October. The City Attorney’s office reported in a press release that the city is seeking to modify the RFP to take advantage of recent changes to state law in order to take advantage or federal funds. In the same release, the City Attorney’s office urged the City to publish the RFP and not cause further delays, which could cause a lapse in services.

DAVIS RE-INTRODUCES BILL TO END ABSENTEE BALLOT RESTRICTIONS

District 53rd District Rep. Susan Davis, representing much of Uptown, reintroduced a federal bill that would end restrictions many states impose on absentee ballot voters. Called the Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act, the bill would prohibit states from limiting absentee voting to only certain voters. California is one of a handful of states that offer “no-excuse absentee voting,” which does not include such restrictions. “There’s really no excuse for the government to demand the private details of a person’s life just so they can vote,” Davis said in a released statement. “Voters should not have to put their life on display or jump through hoops just to participate in one of the most hallowed acts of a democracy – voting. And no one should be denied the chance to vote because they don’t have the proper excuse.” Davis called the bill a matter of “privacy” and “fairness,” calling on Congress to level the voting rights across each state. Previously, the bill has twice passed the House Administration Committee and Davis said she would continue to move it through Congress.