By Faughn Health/Medical • New Developments 0 Comments

UC Merced Medical Education Building Gains Final Approval from UC Regents

At their Nov. 15 meeting, the Regents of the University of California gave final approval for the construction of a new medical education building at UC Merced. The vote approved the final design, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) findings and the full budget and financing.

The four-story building, designed by the firm ZGF, will feature 203,500 square feet of instructional, academic office, research and community-facing space and common areas. The project has a price tag of $300 million, funded by a combination of state General Fund appropriations, the campus budget and donor gifts.

“We are very pleased by the Regents’ show of support for medical education at UC Merced,” said UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz. “The lack of quality healthcare options in the region is well-documented, and this new building will enable UC Merced to train physicians uniquely qualified to address the Valley’s health needs.”

The new facility will be home to UC Merced’s medical education pathway, which was developed in partnership with UCSF and UCSF Fresno. The first cohort of students began classes this fall. It will also house:

● The departments of Psychological Sciences and Public Health

● The Health Sciences Research Institute

● Allied healthcare-related programs (developed in partnership with community colleges)

● A range of medical education and general assignment learning environments

● Specialty learning spaces for medical education, general assignment classrooms, and class laboratories to support several new and existing academic programs

This project will comply with the University of California Sustainable Practices Policy, which establishes goals for green building, clean energy, transportation, climate protection, facilities operations, zero waste, procurement, food service and water systems. Supporting UC Merced’s carbon neutrality status, the building will be run entirely on clean electricity, without the use of natural gas.

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2024 with completion slated for fall 2026. Current growth projections show the facility serving approximately 2,220 undergraduates by 2030.

https://news.ucmerced.edu/news/2023/uc-merced-medical-education-building-gains-final-approval-uc-regents

By Faughn Distribution • Manufacturing 0 Comments

Another Industrial Tenant Signs at Tejon Ranch in Southern California

Another industrial tenant is moving its operations to part of the Tejon Ranch Commerce Center (TRCC) on the biggest piece of private land in California. The joint venture of Tejon Ranch Company and Majestic Realty Company announced Tuesday that CSW Industrials’ RectorSeal, which manufactures heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and plumbing products, is moving from Los Angeles into half of a 480,000-square-foot facility at the expansive master-planned development in southwestern Kern County. The asking rent and lease rate were not disclosed.

The developer said it has secured more than 2.5 million square feet of industrial leases at TRCC over the past 24 months. The 1,450-acre development is at the junction of Interstate 5 and Highway 99, about an hour north of the L.A. basin. It’s also home to distribution centers for tenants that include Ikea, Camping World, Caterpillar, Dollar General, Famous Footwear and L’Oréal.

Last month, Tejon Ranch Company announced it closed a $160 million unsecured revolving credit facility with AgWest Farm Credit to fund construction projects, farming and ranching operations, and pay for general corporate expenses.

JLL (JLL)’s Mike McCrary, Mac Hewett, Brent Weirick and Peter McWilliams manage the TRCC listing and represented the landlords on the RectorSeal transaction. Walt Chenoweth and Sean Sullivan with Voit Real Estate Services represented RectorSeal.

https://commercialobserver.com/2023/12/industrial-tejon-ranch-southern-california/

By Faughn New Developments • New Location 0 Comments

MEGA ASHLEY FURNITURE CENTER WILL BE NEXT TO LATHROP HIGH

When Ashley Furniture moved into a 525,000 square foot facility on South Harlan Road in 2018, it’s doubtful that they had planned on outgrowing the facility in just five years.

But that’s exactly what has happened.

Last month, the Lathrop City Council approved a conditional use permit for the company’s proposed expansion – which was temporarily shelved after community concern during a public hearing prompted further review – that will allow for the construction of a nearly 1.5 million square foot concrete tilt-up building on Dos Reis Road. The company’s existing 525,000 square foot building – 50,000 square feet of which is utilized as a furniture showroom and retail store – on South Harlan Road will eventually be vacated and put up for either lease or sale.

There will be 110,000 square feet of showroom space in the new 1.5 million square-foot building. It will include the largest Ashley Homestore in the region coming in at 110,000 square feet — just 6,641 square feet less than the Living Spaces showroom in Manteca at Union Road and the 120 Bypass. It will also be the largest distribution center ever built in Lathrop. By comparison, the Wayfair distribution center in Lathrop has 1.1 million square feet.

Because Dos Reis Road runs along the back side of Lathrop High School, and because the land in the area was designated for a new use in the general plan update adopted by the council earlier this year, members of the community raised concerns about the impact of truck traffic in the area and the proximity to students attending school at Lathrop High.

According to the staff report and presentation prepared for the council, the property will be roughly 1,500 feet from the property of the high school – with a green belt of undeveloped land between the two – at its closest point, and an extensive landscape buffer that will ultimately provide more than 388,000 square feet of landscaped to create a cushion between the two competing uses.

All truck traffic, according to the Central Lathrop Specific Plan and outlined in the documents prepared for the Ashley project, must access the site from north of Dos Reis Road – including Manthey Road, Roth Road, and I-5. As a condition of approval, the applicant must install signage on Lathrop Road, Spartan Way, Golden Valley Parkway, Dos Reis Road, and Manthey Road to the south of the north driveway to the property that clearly prohibits trucks from using that route.

Onsite signage must also be posted on the site that prohibits trucks from turning right on Manthey Road when leaving the site – sending all trucks north to Roth Road where they can access I-5. One of the additional conditions of approval will be the applicant constructing a roundabout at the intersection of Dos Reis Road and Golden Valley Parkway – serving as an “enhanced gateway” to the area and featuring monumentation, enhanced landscaping, lighting, and other associated elements.

Pedestrian actuated flashing warning lights are also stipulated as a condition.

https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/city-offices-back-downtown/

By Faughn New Developments 0 Comments

Costco is opening a new store in Stanislaus County. Here’s where and when it will open

After years of shoppers wishing and hoping for one, a new Costco store is coming to Riverbank’s planned Crossroads West shopping center. Work has begun on the site of the new retail complex, on the corner of Claribel and Oakdale roads, across from the existing Crossroads Regional Shopping Center. The retailer will serve as the anchor for the new development, which will include other businesses and restaurants on the 555,000-square-foot property.

The wholesale shopping juggernaut already has two locations in Stanislaus County, one in Modesto on Pelandale Avenue and one in Turlock on Tegner Road. But rumors and wishful thinking about another Costco coming to the region have been circulating for years, particularly since 2019, when plans for the Crossroads West companion development were approved. Walnut Creek-based Browman Development Co., the same firm behind the popular existing Crossroads shopping center, is overseeing the commercial development of Crossroads West. The site takes up the northwest corner of the busy intersection that was home to Dutch Hollow Farms before the project began moving forward. The farm attraction since has moved to a new site off Milnes Road.

“It’s huge, I mean, obviously from a sales tax perspective, it’s huge for any town to have a Costco,” said Browman leasing agent Will Bettencourt. “It really solidified this area, this intersection, as the regional shopping destination for those nearby towns. It’s big.”

Crews are doing initial work on the property, including grading and leveling. Bettencourt said to expect the groundwork to go on for a few months, followed by a few months of site and utility work. Then later in the year, he said, Costco is expected to begin work on the building, with an anticipated opening mid-2024. The Riverbank location is expected to be around the same size as the area’s other facilities, about 150,000 square feet. The store also is expected to be the first tenant to open in the shopping complex. Now that Costco has signed on, Bettencourt said he expects other retailers to follow shortly.

Browman is targeting other shops, sit-down and drive-thru restaurants, clothing sellers, banks and fitness centers for the soon-to-be-built spaces. Initial plans for the multi-use development also include an apartment complex of more than 200 units. But Bettencourt said final plans for any residential component are still in the works, and initial construction would be a good year and a half to two years away. That housing would be separate from the nearly 2,000-home subdivision planned on the 380-acre plot just north of the Costco site. The new housing development, which is part of the larger Crossroads West Specific Plan, broke ground in early 2021. Since then, about 75 homes have been completed or started out of planned 114 single-family homes that will be part of the subdivision’s first phase, said FCB Homes President Tom Doucette.

The Stockton-based developer said the next phase, which should start sometime next year, would build an additional 114 single-family units to the south of Westgate Drive (formerly Crawford Road). Currently, all of the existing homes are to the north of the street. The second phase will also include a 40,000-square-foot park. Riverbank City Councilman Luis Uribe said the Costco news was welcome. The city, he said, should get ready for changes with the arrival of the major retailer, which reported $222.7 billion in net sales for the 2022 fiscal year.

“My goal is to ensure a balanced and thriving community in Riverbank. Having a mix of residential and commercial areas is important for the overall development and sustainability of the city,” he said in a written comment on Costco news. “By supporting new businesses and downtown establishments, you are contributing to the local economy and creating opportunities for growth.”

The new Crossroads West commercial expansion will be 5,000 square feet larger than its across-the-street companion retail center. The original Crossroads opened in 2005, and last year completed work on the final undeveloped pad in the complex. A new El Pollo Loco opened across from Red Robin in that space early last year. Expect a similarly long build-out for the new Crossroads West commercial development, Bettencourt said. Initial plans for the companion development had a 20-year time frame to finish the entire project. Work on the retail complex, which initially hoped to have a 2020 opening, was delayed by several years because of the pandemic and other factors.

City officials and Browman representatives will have a groundbreaking ceremony July 11 at the site, in preparation for the new Costco.

https://amp.modbee.com/news/business/article276840371.html

 

By Faughn Health/Medical • New Location 0 Comments

New behavioral health and human services building opens

A new Kings County Behavioral Health and Human Services building that will house over 100 county employees in 45,000 square feet was unveiled Wednesday morning.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday was emceed by Kings County Supervisor Joe Neves and featured speeches from representatives from Kings County administration, Kings County Behavioral Health and Kings County Human Services.

“On behalf of my colleagues on the board of supervisors, both past and present, we are so proud to stand here today and officially open the Kings County Behavioral Health and Human Services Building,” Neves said. “We are grateful to our community for their patience and support as we have navigated the long process to get here today.”

The Old Hospital was constructed in 1911 but eventually closed until 1973. Rather than demolishing the building in 2014, Kings County decided to repurpose the building through a remodel sales lease agreement.

The new building will house the Behavioral Department’s Administrative Offices, Children’s Psychiatric Services, the KIND Center children’s outpatient clinic and Human Services adult programs like their Adult Protective Services and In Home Supportive Services.

https://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/new-behavioral-health-and-human-services-building-opens/article_a377d57e-a67e-53ac-9505-b6ab89f351be.html

By Faughn Health/Medical • New Developments 0 Comments

UC Merced Medical Education Building Gains Final Approval from UC Regents

At their Nov. 15 meeting, the Regents of the University of California gave final approval for the construction of a new medical education building at UC Merced. The vote approved the final design, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) findings and the full budget and financing.

The four-story building, designed by the firm ZGF, will feature 203,500 square feet of instructional, academic office, research and community-facing space and common areas. The project has a price tag of $300 million, funded by a combination of state General Fund appropriations, the campus budget and donor gifts.

“We are very pleased by the Regents’ show of support for medical education at UC Merced,” said UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz. “The lack of quality healthcare options in the region is well-documented, and this new building will enable UC Merced to train physicians uniquely qualified to address the Valley’s health needs.”

The new facility will be home to UC Merced’s medical education pathway, which was developed in partnership with UCSF and UCSF Fresno. The first cohort of students began classes this fall. It will also house:

● The departments of Psychological Sciences and Public Health

● The Health Sciences Research Institute

● Allied healthcare-related programs (developed in partnership with community colleges)

● A range of medical education and general assignment learning environments

● Specialty learning spaces for medical education, general assignment classrooms, and class laboratories to support several new and existing academic programs

This project will comply with the University of California Sustainable Practices Policy, which establishes goals for green building, clean energy, transportation, climate protection, facilities operations, zero waste, procurement, food service and water systems. Supporting UC Merced’s carbon neutrality status, the building will be run entirely on clean electricity, without the use of natural gas.

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2024 with completion slated for fall 2026. Current growth projections show the facility serving approximately 2,220 undergraduates by 2030.

https://news.ucmerced.edu/news/2023/uc-merced-medical-education-building-gains-final-approval-uc-regents

By Faughn Renewable Energy 0 Comments

H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies Unveils SoHyCal, the First Operational Green Hydrogen Plant in North America

Fresno, Calif. (November 1) – H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies, Inc. (H2B2), a global vertically integrated provider of green hydrogen energy solutions across the hydrogen value chain, today unveils SoHyCal – the largest operational green hydrogen production plant powered entirely by renewable energy in North America to date.

This pioneering project, from both a technical and commercial point of view, consists of the construction, financing, and operation of a 100% renewable hydrogen production plant with PEM technology, with a nameplate capacity of up to three tons per day, using renewable energy from a photovoltaic plant.

“In the quest for a greener energy transition, SoHyCal represents a cornerstone in California’s commitment to developing and promoting clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel technologies. The project is poised to significantly contribute to the surging demand for hydrogen, particularly for transportation applications, the reduction of emissions, and the decarbonization in mobility,” said Pedro Pajares, CEO of H2B2 USA.

SoHyCal Production and Scale

SoHyCal is fully operational in its first phase, harnessing the power of renewable energy and cutting-edge electrolysis technology, producing up to one ton per day of green hydrogen powered by biogas It will transition into solar energy in phase two, expected to produce a total of three tons per day of green hydrogen powered by PV by Q2 of 2025. This amount of hydrogen will fuel up to 210,000 cars per year or 30,000 city buses.

SoHyCal Background

H2B2 secured a $3.96M grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) Clean Transportation Program for the SoHyCal project. This grant has been instrumental in supporting the production of up to one ton (1t) per day of 100% emission-free hydrogen to serve Hydrogen Refueling Stations in the San Joaquin Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Fresno County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has also been a key partner in making the SoHyCal project a reality, playing a pivotal role in facilitating H2B2’s journey toward building the largest green hydrogen production facility in the United States. H2B2 is a proud member and supporter of The Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), with SoHyCal an example of the type of projects the hub can promote.

H2B2’s SoHyCal Project was recognized by the Hydrogen Valley Platform (H2V), the global collaboration platform for all information on large-scale hydrogen flagship projects, as a project that aims to facilitate a clean energy transition by promoting the emergence of integrated hydrogen projects along the value chain as well as by raising awareness among policymakers.

H2B2 Powering the Hydrogen Economy

The green hydrogen market is viewed as having significant potential, with forecasts indicating it could reach a value of $10T by 2030. This growth is expected to be driven by various sectors, including industrial use, mobility, power generation, and more. H2B2 is accepting government grants and public funding as a unique offering of project guarantees (PG) setting H2B2 apart, and instilling confidence in their investors and customers alike.

H2B2 operates within a regulatory framework aligned with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and complies with various federal, state, and local regulations and requirements. This regulatory framework plays a crucial role in shaping their operations and growth.

To learn more about H2B2, the SoHyCal facility, or get an up-close look at the advances in technology and processes behind renewable hydrogen production, visit their website or follow them on LinkedIn. H2B2 will consider scheduling facility tours of the SoHyCal plant to select organizations with industry interest; contact them at: [email protected]

About H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies

H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies is a global green hydrogen platform that provides bespoke integrated solutions to its customers across the whole hydrogen value chain and covering all business scales. H2B2’s customer-centric, one-stop-shop offering enables seamless and effective support through the entire lifecycle of a hydrogen production facility (including the identification of the opportunity, R&D, design, permitting, construction, and operation services for the exploitation of the hydrogen facility), and complete solutions for transportation, storage, and sale of green hydrogen.

https://www.h2b2.es/h2b2-electrolysis-technologies-unveils-sohycal-the-first-operational-green-hydrogen-plant-in-north-america/

By Faughn Economy 0 Comments

5,981% GROWTH IN THREE YEARS? CENTRAL VALLEY COMPANIES MAKE EXCLUSIVE LIST

Nine Central Valley companies scratched out a spot on the 2023 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the U.S.

National business magazine Inc. ranked participating private companies on three-year revenue growth — from 2019 to 2022 — for this year’s list. The minimum revenue required for 2019 is $100,000; the minimum for 2022 is $2 million.

To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2019. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit and independent — not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies — as of Dec. 31, 2022.

The annual list of 5,000 U.S. firms reflects companies with the greatest impact on the U.S. economy, according to Inc. They reported a combined $358 billion in 2022 revenue and created more than 1.1 million jobs.

“Overall, median revenue growth for the top 500 com­panies in 2022 ticked up to 2,238 percent from 2,144 percent the previous year,” according to Inc. “Those metrics add up to a lot of very determined entrepreneurs looking for solutions to the biggest problems facing us today.”

Fresno’s Empower Solar logged in at No. 78 on the list with three-year revenue growth of 5,981%. Under the leadership of Landon Wimmer, the company founded in 2019 is a residential and small business solar installation company.

The following local companies also made the Inc. 5000 list for 2023.

No. 535
Balanced Comfort
Fresno
1,094% growth
Construction/plumbing/HVAC

No. 1,571
EZ ELD Solutions
Fresno
363% growth
Logistics & transportation

No. 1,843
Sierra Pacific Group
Madera
304% growth
Business products and services

No. 3,072
Wellpointe
Fresno
169% growth
Health services

No. 3,078
EKC Enterprises
Fresno
168% growth
Business products and services

No. 3,434
Clark Bros.
Fresno
145% growth
Construction

No. 4,054
Anderson Real Estate Group
Visalia
113% growth
Real estate

No. 4,509
Lee’s Air, Plumbing, & Heating
Fresno
93% growth
Energy

https://thebusinessjournal.com/5981-growth-in-three-years-central-valley-companies-make-exclusive-list/?mc_cid=fe6be63b0d&mc_eid=a3349d7e4d