36 The ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTOR Local Roundup Owen Cassarelli and Chuck Comacho of Otis San Diego Nathan Wayman, John Puncer, Chase Thomas and Jason Jervis of Schindler San Diego LOCAL 18 • Los Angeles, California Downtown San Diego is one of the most beautiful urban waterfront communities in the world. As this new year gets rolling along, the San Diego skyline has never looked more impressive. What’s catching the eye of the members of Local 18 is more than 30 cranes scattering the city. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and to a construction worker there’s nothing more beautiful than a chain link fence around an entire city block. New development in downtown San Diego has reached new heights and future projects are scheduled through 2028. IQHQ’s Research and Development District (RaDD) is currently under development in downtown San Diego’s waterfront. This eight-acre (five city blocks) waterfront site will host five buildings (labs, office, retail) for a total of 1,700,000 sq ft. A $330 million high-tech office campus and lifestyle center transforms the space in Horton Plaza’s old footprint. UC San Diego’s new construction projects are revolutionizing the physical, cultural, intellectual, healthcare, patient care, research, residential and diversity of UC San Diego. The Chula Vista Bayfront is a model of excellent planning that balances economic development with public benefits including new parks and access to the coast, along with thousands of jobs. The 1,600-room hotel and convention center will create plenty of pension hours. These are just a few of the projects in or around San Diego. Along with plenty of residential buildings, hospitals, and smaller size office buildings, the work picture looks strong in the 619. Another project going on in Mission Valley is renovations to an improved space for the local area union hall and NEIEP classrooms. That’s correct; after over 25 years in the same location, IUEC Local 18, San Diego is moving, but not very far. The opportunity to consolidate the NEIEP classrooms and union office into two suites adjacent to each other was too good of a deal to pass up. The space is located at 4659 Mission Gorge Place, Suites A and B, right across the street from its current location. State-of-the-art classrooms, a new HVAC system, and a space large enough to hold the area’s informational meetings are some of the advantages of making this move. When completed, the brothers and sisters in San Diego will have a home that they can be proud of. Outside of SeaWorld, maybe the biggest splash around San Diego is the one Area Business Agent Kevin Branson is making. Since coming on the scene Kevin has been making the rounds, getting to construction projects, fixing paychecks, and going to safety meetings, along with the many things that come up during a business agents’ day. Kevin is a family-first kind of guy. His beautiful wife and children are the most important part of his life. Kevin’s compassion for his brothers and sisters is evident and he fits in with this role very well. While Kevin is spending his time in the field, his administrative assistant Kimmi Acosta is holding down the fort. Kimmi is also new to the scene and brings some great skills and an even better attitude. The two are making a great team putting the members’ needs first. Local 18’s best is ahead of us, and San Diego is alive and booming. Respectfully submitted, Ken Michalik David Spencer and Will Breisacher of KONE San Diego Kevin Branson and Kimmi Acosta of IUEC 18 San Diego
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