Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - Evening Edition

>> >>DWANE: I'M DWANE BROWN TONIGHT ON KPBS EVENING EDITION, SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL APPROVED
A PLAN TO MAKE OVER BALBOA PARK. >> >>PEGGY: WE'LL HAVE DETAILS ABOUT THE BALBOA
PARK RENOVATION WITH COUNCILMAN TODD GLORIA. WHO BENEFITS MOST WITH AN UNUSUAL BUSINESS
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE CONVENTION CENTER.
>> >>DWANE: A CHIROPRACTOR CLAIMED HE COULD CURE A CHILD'S FOOD ALLERGY WITH LASER TREATMENT.
IT DIDN'T WORK. KPBS EVENING EDITION STARTS NOW.
>> >>DWANE: GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US, I'M DWANE BROWN.
A PRESERVATIONIST GROUP SAYS IT WILL SUE TO STOP THE PLAZA DE PANAMA PROJECT.
SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE PLAN TO PUT A BYPASS BRIDGE OFF THE CABRILLO BRIDGE.
IT WOULD INCLUDE A PAID UNDER GROUND PARKING GARAGE, INTENDED TO GET CARS OUT OF THE HEART
OF THE PARK. IT SUPPORTS MOVING CARS BUT SAYS THE PROJECT
WOULD DAMAGE THE PARK. THE GROUP ALSO CLAIMS PAID PARKING WOULD VIOLATE A STATE LAW ESTABLISHING
BALBOA PARK AS A FREE PARK. MAYOR JERRY SANDERS HAS BEEN A BIG SUPPORTER
OF THE PROJECT. HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE VOTE AND THE LAW
SUIT AT THE PARK TODAY. KPBS METRO REPORTER KATIE ORR HAS BEEN FOLLOWING
THIS STORY. SHE JOINS US FROM THE NEWS CENTER.
WHAT WAS THE MAYOR'S RESPONSE TO THIS LAWSUIT, KATIE?
>> >>KATIE: HE'S REALLY NOT CONCERNED. HE SAYS THE CITY HAS A GOOD LEGAL TEAM IN
PLACE. THIS IS SOMETHING SAN DIEGO WAS ANTICIPATING
MIGHT HAPPEN. HE SAYS THE ARGUMENT THAT A PAID GARAGE WOULD
VIOLATE THE FREE AND PUBLIC STATUTE IS NOT A STRONG ONE.
>> >>: IT THE PARK IS FREE AND PUBLIC. NOBODY'S PAYING TO BE IN THE PARK TODAY, NOBODY
WILL PAY IN THE FUTURE. DOLLAR WILL BE OPTIONS JUST LIKE THERE ARE
TO GO INTO THE MUSEUMS F PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO GO IN AND PAY TO DO THAT.
IT WOULD BE THE SAME WITH PARKING. >> >>DWANE: DOES THE MAYOR THINK THIS WILL
IMPACT THE TIMELINE OF THE PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED BY 2015?
>> >>KATIE: THEY'RE AIMING TO HAVE IF COMPLETED ON NEW YEAR'S 2015.
HE SAYS HE DOESN'T THINK THIS WILL IMPACT THE TIMELINE.
THEY SEEM CONFIDENT THEY'RE GOING TO BREAK GROUND THIS COMING OCTOBER AND AND AGAIN HAVE
IT DONE IN ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS. >> >>DWANE: KPBS METRO REPORTER KATIE ORR.
WE WILL HAVE MORE ON LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL VOTE AND THE DEBATE OVER THE PROJECT WITH
COUNCILMAN TODD GLORIA IN JUST A FEW MINUTES A.SAN DIEGO JUDGE IS CONSIDERING A REQUEST
TO PUT PENSION REFORM ON HOLD IN SAN DIEGO. UNION LAWYERS AND A STATE PANEL ARE ASKING
FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER. THE UNION SAYS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSULTED
BEFORE PROPOSITION B WENT ON THE BALLOT. THE JUDGE WILL RULE ON THE REQUEST SOON.
THE STATE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RELATIONS BOARD WILL HOLD ITS OWN HEARING ON THE PENSION REFORM
LATER THIS MONTH. SAN DIEGO SCHOOL BOARD HAS HALTED THE PROCESS
OF CONSOLIDATING EIGHT CAMPUSES TO SAVE MONEY. THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL UPSET PARENTS SO THE
BOARD WANTS THE DISTRICT STAFF TO LOOK AT EACH SCHOOL ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS RATHER
THAN CHOOSING SCHOOLS TO SHUT DOWN A.FATAL ACCIDENT HAS MARRED THE ANTICIPATION FOR COMIC
CON. A WOMAN WAS HIT BY A CAR ON HARBOR DRIVE THIS
MORNING WHILE RUNNING TO KEEP HER SPOT IN LINE.
SHE HAD BEEN CAMPED OUT OUTSIDE THE CONVENTION CENTER SINCE SUNDAY NIGHT TO GET A SEAT FOR
PANEL ON THE TWILIGHT SERIES. SHE DIED AT THE HOSPITAL.
>> >>: WE LIVE IN THE SOUTH BAY HAVE A NEW PLACEÊ
>> >>DWANE: HAVE A NEW PLAY TO TURN IN OVERCOMING DRUG AND ADDICTION PROBLEMS.
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA HAVE BEEN ON A SIX YEAR SEARCH TO FIND THE PERFECT LOCATION IN NATIONAL
CITY. BUILT IN THE 1970S IS A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY,
THIS NEWLY REFURBISHED BUILDING IS HOME TO VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA REHABILITATION CENTER.
>> >>: THE PEOPLE THAT WALK THROUGH OUR DOORS ARE SOMEONE'S SONS, SOMEONE'S DAUGHTER, SOMEONE'S
HUSBAND, SOMEONE'S WIFE. WE APPROACH EVERY PERSON THAT WALKS THROUGH
OUR DOORS AS IF IT IS A FAMILY MEMBER OF SOMEONE WE KNOW.
>> >>DWANE: THE TREATMENT CENTER IS STRATEGICALLY LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM PARADISE HOSPITAL.
>> >>: WE CAN BUILD A PARTNERSHIP TO ALLOW US TO BE A RESOURCE TO EACH OTHER.
>> >>DWANE: VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA IS A NON PROFIT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ORGANIZATION
OPEN TO MEN AND WOMEN WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE. IT BLENDS, MEDICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PEER
COUNSELING TO HELP PEOPLE OVERCOME DRUG ADDICTION. THIS IS WHERE THE INITIAL DETOX HAPPENS FOR
THE CLIENTS. IT HAS 120 BEDS FOR SHORT AND LONG TERM STAYS.
THAT INCLUDE AS COMMERCIAL KITCHEN FACILITY TO EVENTUALLY TRAIN CLIENTS IN THE FOOD SERVICES
INDUSTRY. THE CENTER WAS FORMALLY LOCATED DOWNTOWN,
BUT BECAUSE OF ALL THE REDEVELOPMENT ISSUES IT WAS TIME TO FIND A NEW HOME.
>> >>: WE THINK IT'S A GREAT FIT FOR THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY.
IT'S A GREAT FIT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SUFFERING WITH ADDICTION, AND WE THINK IT'S A GREAT
FIT FOR NATIONAL CITY AND THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO.
>> >>DWANE: THE RECOVERY AND TREATMENT CENTER OPENS TO CLIENTS ON THURSDAY.
UNITED HEALTH CARE INVESTED MORE THAN $5ÊMILLION TO HELP WITH COSMETIC AND SAFETY UP GRADES.
WE TOLD YOU ABOUT THE CITY COUNCIL VOTE TO APPROVE THE PLAZA DE PANAMA PROJECT AND ABOUT
A PLAN LEGAL CHALLENGE. PEGGY PICO HAS MORE AT THE ROUND TABLE.
>> >>PEGGY: JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT THE VOTE AND WHAT COMES NECKS ST CITY COUNCILMAN TODD
GLORIA. HIS DISTRICT INCLUDES BALBOA PARK.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING LASTED SEVEN HOURS
ABOUT 140 PUBLIC COMMENTS, PEOPLE GOT UP TO TALK.
A LONG, LONG TIME. COUNCIL WOMAN SHERRI LIGHTNER WAS THE ONLY
ONE THAT VOTED AGAINST IT. ORIGINALLY YOU WERE AGAINST IT AND NOW YOU'RE
FOR IT. TELL US WHY.
>> >>: OVER THE TWO YEARS WE'VE STUDIED THIS PROPOSAL LOOKING AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS,
TO PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES AND WALKING THE SITE MANY TIMES IT BECAME CLEAR TO ME THERE WAS
NO OTHER VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO REMOVE CARS FROM THE HEART OF THE PARK.
WHEN YOU LOOK THAT BENEFITS VERSUS THE COST OF THE PROJECT, I BELIEVE THE BENEFITS FAR
OUT WEIGH THE COSTS. >> >>PEGGY: SO FINANCIALLY WE'LL TALK ABOUT
THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER. BUT LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE PARKÊ THIS
IS GOING TO BE AN ARTIST RENDITION WE WANT TO SHOW THE VIEWERS HERE.
TELL US WHAT BASICALLYÊ EXPLAIN THE PLAN AND HOW IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE LOOK OF THE
PARK AND WHY YOU THINK IT'S NEEDED. >> >>TODD GLORIA: WHAT WE'LL DO IS FROM THE
MUSEUM OF MAN ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE PLAZA DE PANAMA WILL WE BE PEDESTRIANS LIKE MUCH
OF THE FLEET OF THE RUBEN H.CENTER. IT'S DEDICATED TO PEOPLE NOT CARS.
IT IS TRUE OF THE FULL PLAZA AREA, AND THE ESPLANAD, WHICH RUNS AROUND THE ORGAN PAVILION.
THERE WILL BE A NEW TWO ACRE PARK BEHIND THE PAVILION.
WE'RE TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE PEDESTRIAN VEHICLE CONFLICTS IN THE HEART OF THE PARK AND INCREASE
PARKING SO PEOPLE CAN ACCESS THE PARK. THE PLAN INCLUDE AS TRAM SYSTEM WHICH WILL
HOPEFULLY IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY AS WELL. >> >>PEGGY: LET'S GO BACK TO FINANCIAL, BECAUSE
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THAT. IRWIN JACOBS WHO IS ALSO A MAJOR SUPPORTER
OF KPBS SUPPORTS THIS PLAN FINANCIALLY. TELL US WHAT HIS PART IS IN THIS, AND HOW
THE CITY IS GOING TO PAY FOR THE REST OF THE. >> >>TODD GLORIA: THE ENTIRE PROJECT BEGINNING
TO END IS PROJECTED TO COST ABOUT $45ÊMILLION. ABOUT 14ÊMILLION OF THAT WILL COME FROM A
BOND OFFERED BY THE CITY THAT WILL BE REPAID BY FEES PAYED TO PARK IN THE STRUCTURE THAT'S
GOING TO BE CONSTRUCTED. THE BALANCE OF IT OVER 30ÊMILLION WILL COME
FROM PHILANTHROPY. >> >>PEGGY: AND TODAY JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO,
WE LEARNED THAT SO HO TO SAVE OUR HERITAGE GROUP, THEY PLAN ON FILING A LAWSUIT TO PREVENT
THIS FROM GOING FORWARD. HOW WILL THE CITY FIGHT THAT?
>> >>TODD GLORIA: WE WILL FIGHT IT. THIS IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CITY TO
RECLAIM THESE PLACES, TAKE THEM AWAY FROM THE CARS, GIVE THEM BACK TO THE PEOPLE.
WE UNDERSTAND SO HO WAS GOING TO DO THAT. WE WILL FIGHT IT BECAUSE BAL BY PARK IS WORTH
FIGHTING FOR. WHEN WE REMOVE CARS FROM THE EASTERN PRADO
IN FRONT OF THE FLEET AND THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, THAT WAS CONTROVERSIAL THEN.
THE OUTCOME SHOULDN'T BE CONTROVERSIAL. I THINK EVERY SAN DIEGAN CAN EMBRACE THE IDEA
OF TAKING AWAY THOSE CARS, GIVING IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND IN TIME FOR 2015.
>> >>PEGGY: THAT'S THE CENTENNIAL. LET'S TALK BEFORE WE DO ABOUT THAT, ON THE
MONEY ISSUE. SOME PEOPLE WERE UPSET ABOUT THIS BECAUSE
YOU'RE TAKING AWAY ONE FREE PARKING LOT AND REPLACING IT WITH PAID PARKING, 5
A POP. THERE'S CONCERN YOU'RE RELYING ON THAT TO
PAY FOR THIS PROJECT. IS THAT TRUE?
>> >>TODD GLORIA: THE FEES GENERATED BY THE PARK OR THE PEOPLE WHO UTILIZE THE GARAGE
WILL PAY FOR THE DEBT SERVICE. THERE HAS BEEN SOME QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER
OR NOT IT WILL GENERATE ENOUGH FEES TO COVER THE DEBT SERVICE.
WE BELIEVE WE'RE USING CONSERVATIVE FIGURES. THE FIGURES PRESUME EVERY FREED SPACE IS PARKED
IN. SO WE THINK THAT'S AN EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE WAY TO GO ABOUT DOING IT.
THESE THINGS ARE DIFFICULT TO PROJECT. I HAP TOON THINK BALBOA PARK IS A MAGNIFICENT
ATTRACTION THAT 20ÊMILLION PLUS PEOPLE VISIT EVERY YEAR.
WHEN CHOOSING BETWEEN CIRCLING FOR FREE PARKING OR PAYING $5 TO PARK, I THINK MANY WILL CHOOSE
TO PAY TO PARK. THIS IS NOT JUST TO PAY TO PARK.
THIS IS GOING TO MAINTAIN THE ASSET, TO OPERATE IT, AND TO RUN THE TRAM SYSTEM.
WE ASK PEOPLE DO YOU LOVE THE PARK? THEY SAY YES, I DO.
I ASK ARE YOU WILLING TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE PARK? EVERY ONE OF THEM SAYS YES.
THIS IS ONE WAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PARK TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE IT.
>> >>PEGGY: WE HAVE VERY LITTLE TIME, IN A NUT SHELL TELL US THERE IS SOME CONCERN THE
HISTORIC STATUS F THE PARK BECAUSE OF THE BRIDGE ALTERATIONS MAINLY I UNDERSTAND WILL
INTERFERE WITH THAT. IS THAT AT RISK? AND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
>> >>TODD GLORIA: THAT WAS RAISED AS A CONCERN. OUR HISTORIC RESOURCES PLANNER DISAGREE, AS
DO MANY OTHERS WHO ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
WE'RE MOVING 70ÊFEET SHOULD MEAN THE ENTIRE PARK IS GOING RESTORED.
WE DON'T THINK THAT'S TRUE. >> >>PEGGY: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COUNCILMAN GLORIA, THANKS FOR BEING HERE. >> >>TODD GLORIA: THANK YOU.
>> >>DWANE: AN ESTIMATED 6ÊMILLION AMERICAN CHILDREN HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES.
THOSE WHO ARE HIGHLY ALLERGIC CAN BE KM SERIOUSLY ILL.
SOME CHIROPRACTORS CLAIM THEY CAN CURE ALLERGIES THROUGH THE USE OF A LASER.
KPBS HEALTH REPORTER KENNY GOLDBERG TELLS US ABOUT A KID WHO GOT THE TREATMENT.
>> >>: I'M ALLERGIC TO MILK, ALL DAIRY PRODUCTS, & EGGS, STUFF LIKE THAT, AND THEN TREE NUTS,
PEANUTS, AND PROBABLY OTHER NUTS LIKE WALNUTS AND ALMONDS.
>> >>: JONESÊ >> >>: I WILL START GETTING ITCHY AND HAVE
RED HIVES AND MY SKIN WILL GET RED AND THEN I'LL HAVE TO TAKE SOME BENADRYL OR GET A WIPE
AND WIPE IT OFF. >> >>: JONES LITTLE BROTHER COLE HAS SOME
ALLERGIES TOO. A CHIROPRACTOR TOLD ABOUT AN ALLERGY TREATMENT
CALLED BIOALLERGENIX. >> >>: I IS ASKED HIM WHAT THAT WAS, HE TOLD
ME IT WAS A LASER TREATMENT THAT ELIMINATED ALLERGIES.
I HAD NEVER HEARD ABOUT THIS BEFORE AND I WAS CURIOUS.
HE TOLD ME HE HAD A HUNDRED PERCENT SUCCESS RATE.
>> >>: JONES BROAT ZACH IN. >> >>: HE PERFORMED LASER TREATMENT ON MY
SON, IT WAS JUST A LITTLE PEN WITH A BLUE LIGHT AND HE WENT OVER THE TOP OF HIS SKULL,
YOU KNOW, HIS DIFFERENT POINTS THAT THEY HAVE. >> >>: AFTER THE THERAPY, THE CHIROPRACTOR
TOLD JONES THAT IN TWO DAYS ZACH COULD EAT EGGS.
JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE, JONES BROUGHT ZACH IN TO SEE HIS ALLERGIST.
DR.ÊMICHAEL WELCH CHECKED ZACH'S SENSITIVITY TO EGGS AND IT WAS OFF THE CHARTS.
SYLVIA JONES WAS FURIOUS. >> >>: YOU'RE LISTENING TO A PROFESSIONAL
AND THEY'RE TELLING YOU THIS, AND YOU GET YOUR HOPES UP.
AND THEN WHEN IT DOESN'T HAPPEN, WHEN IT DIDN'T WORK, I MEAN, I WAS LITERALLY SITTING IN THE
OFFICE YOU KNOW ON FACEBOOK MAKING A COMMENT BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO CRY IN FRONT OF MY
SON ALTHOUGH I HAD A IMAWLTD KNOT IN MY THROAT. PARENTS ARE DESPERATE.
>> >>: JONES FILE AD FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE CALIFORNIA BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS.
DR.ÊWELCH HAS BEEN TREATING PATIENTS WITH ALLERGIES FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
EVEN WITH ALL OF HIS EXPERIENCE, WELCH SAYS HE WOULD NEVER SAY HE COULD CURE SOMEONE.
>> >>: THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS CURE AT THIS POINT.
A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS IN THE PIPE LINE, BUT NOTHING THAT WE CAN CALL A CURE.
IT'S SIMPLE AVOIDANCE AND TREATMENT OF A REACTION IF IT ACCIDENTLY HAPPENS.
>> >>: WELCH SAYS IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE AND DANGEROUS FOR CHIROPRACTORS TO CLAIM THEY CAN TREAT
OR CURE FOOD ALLERGIES. >> >>: IF YOU CAME WITH TOO ME WITH BACK PAIN
AND WANTED ME TO WORK ON YOUR BACK FOR AN ORTHOPEDIC PROBLEM, I'M NOT GOING TO DEAL
WITH THAT. I'M GOING TO SEND YOU TO SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS
HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT. THE TRAINING OF CHIROPRACTORS AND OTHERS OF
THAT ILK HAVE REALLY ARE NOT TRAINED IN THE AREA OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY, CLINICAL ALLERGY,
CLINICAL PATHO PHYSIOLOGY OF TRUE FOOD ALLERGIES. THEY SHOULDN'T BE TREATING THAT KIND OF STUFF.
>> >>: THE CHIROPRACTOR BHOO PERFORMED THE LASER PROCEDURE ON ZACH JONES WOULDN'T AGREED
TO BE INTERVIEWED. WE TURNED THE TOO THIS CHIROPRACTOR IN PACIFIC
BEACH DR.ÊBRIN STENS WHRR OPERATES DREAM WELLNESS WITH A CLINIC IN PACIFIC BEACH AND
ONE IN DEL MAR. STENSLER CONCEDES THE STORY OF THE CHIROPRACTOR
DID TO ZACH JONES IS DISTURBING. >> >>: I'M NOT SIGH SAYING THIS CHIROPRACTOR
MAL PRACTICED, WHAT I'M SAYING IS IT WOULD NOT MAKE ME VERY HAPPY IF THIS SITUATION WERE
REVERSED. IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN IN MY OFFICE.
THAT I CAN ASSURE YOU. ANY TIME A CHIROPRACTOR PUTS SOMEBODY'S HEALTH
IN DANGER, IT MAKES THE REST OF THE PROFESSION LOOK BAD.
>> >>: CONTROVERSIAL USE OF LASERS HAS PROMPTED THE BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS TO TAKE
ACTION, WITH A NEW REGULATION AIMED AT IMPROVING CONSUMER SAFETY.
IT PROHIBITS THE USE OF LASERS OUTSIDE THE CHIROPRACTIC SCOPE OF PRACTICE N CLUING THE
LASER TREATMENT OF ALLERGIES. >> >>: IT'S HARD FOR ME TO COMMENT ON A LASER
THAT'S NOT PART OF OUR STANDARD OF CARE. AS A CHIROPRACTOR I FOCUS ON THE FUNCTION
OF THE NERVE SYSTEM. >> >>: ZACH JONES IS STILL UPSET ABOUT HIS
LASER TREATMENT. HE'D LIKE TO GIVE THE CHIROPRACTOR HE SAW
A PIECE OF HIS MIND. >> >>: I WOULD SAY TO HIM IT DIDN'T WORK,
AND YOU LIED TO MY FAMILY, AND IT'S REAL DISAPPOINTING, YOU SHOOD SHOULDN'T DO THAT AGAIN.
>> >>: ZACH'S MOM SYLVIA WOULDN'T PULL ANY PUNCHES EITHER.
>> >>: HE CAN'T DO THIS, IT'S DANGEROUS. IT'S JUST DANGEROUS TO DO THIS.
YOU PUTTING KIDS LIVES AT RISK. >> >>DWANE: KPBS HEALTH REPORTER KENNY GOLDBERG.
THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL SAYS FOOD ALLERGIES AMONG CHILDREN ARE ON THE RISE.
JUST AS SAN DIEGO'S LARGEST CONVENTION COMIC CON GETS UNDERWAY. AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN A
PRIVATE BOOKING ORGANIZATION, THE CITY HAS FINALIZE SAID TODAY.
BEFORE THE VOTE, PEGGY FOUND OUT WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO BENEFIT FROM THE DEAL.
>> >>PEGGY: IN A SURPRISE DECISION EARLIER THIS YEAR, SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL GAVE SALES
AND MARKETING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER BACK TO THE SAN DIEGO
CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU, OR CON VIZ. LATER, LOCAL HOTELIERS VOTED TO COLLECT THE
TAX TO HELP FUND THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION WHICH WOULD ADD MORE THAN 4,400,000 SQUARE
FEET TO THE FACILITY. >> >>: JOINING ME IS JOE TERZI, PRESIDENT
AND CEO OF CON VIZ. MY FIRST WOULD BE TO HAVE YOU DESCRIBE SORT
OF THE MAJOR POINTS OF THIS AGREEMENT, THIS MARKETING AGREEMENT THAT'S GOING TO BE TALKED
ABOUT BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL. >> >>JOE TERZI: IT'S VERY EXCITING FOR US.
WE ARE THE MARKETING FOR THE SEAL CENTER HAS ACTUALLY GOING BACK TO THE BUREAU.
AND THE MAJOR POINTS ARE WE'RE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING AND MARKETING THE
BUILDING FOR 18 MONTHS AND OUT. SO LONGER TERM EVENTS, LARGE CITY WIDE EVENTS
THAT HAPPEN THREE, 4, 5, 1015 YEARS OUT. THAT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY, THE SELLING AND
MARKING OF A LARGE EVENT COMES BACK TO CON VIZ.
THERE IS A SHORT TERM ROLE THE CENTER STILL HAS FOR BOOKING LOCAL EVENTS AND EVENTS THAT
HAPPEN WITHIN 12 TO 18 MONTHS. IT'S SEGREGATING THAT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
MAJOR EVENTS. >> >>PEGGY: A REPORT IN THE ATLANTIC LAST
MONTH SAYS ATTENDANCE AT LARGE CONVENTIONS HAS BEEN FALLING SINCE THE NINETEEN 1990S.
MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO KEEP THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER IN THE
CONVENTION ARENA? >> >>JOE TERZI: SURE, YEAH, I THINK ONE OF
THE LONG TERM PLANS IS THE EXPANSION. YOU KNOW, ANYONE THAT REALLY LOOKS AT THE
CONVENTION CENTER BUSINESS UNDERSTANDS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE THE RIGHT FACILITY,
THE RIGHT SIZE MEETING SPACE, THE RIGHT SIZE EXHIBIT HALL.
AND THAT'S WHAT WORKING ON THIS EXPANSION. THAT EXPANSION WILL PUT SAN DIEGO BACK INTO
THE UPPER TIER CONVENTION CENTERS AND IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT WHERE YOU FIT INTO THAT TIER.
SAN DIEGO HAS FALLEN OUT OF THAT TIER, WE ARE MID TO UPPER SIZE, WE'RE NOT IN THE PRIMARY
TIER. >> >>PEGGY: IN THE PRIMARY TIER.
SO IF WE GO IF THE EXPANSION PUSHES INTO THE PRIMARY TIER, WHAT SORT OF CONVENTIONS WILL
WE BE ABLE TO ATTRACT? >> >>JOE TERZI: WE'LL BE ABLE TO KEEP THE
LARGE ONES WE HAVE. COMIC CON HAS BEEN THE POSTER CHILD, THEY'RE
ONLY SIGNED UP THROUGH 2015 AND WE'RE WORKING ON 2016 NOW.
THERE'S HIMS AND SOME LARGE MEDICAL CONVENTIONS THAT EITHER ARE IN THE BUILDING OR CAN'T COME
BACK TO THE BUILDING BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FIT THEIR NEEDS ON A GO FORWARD BASIS.
IT'S RETAINING THE LARGE, MORE LUCRATIVE WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE MEDICAL CONVENTIONS AND
ATTRACTING MORE THAT CAN'T FIT THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW.
>> >>PEGGY: ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE, CRITICS ARE CONCERNED THAT HOTELIERS MIGHT BE GETTING
SOME BENEFITS FROM YOU RATHER THAN YOU LOOKING OUT FOR THE CITY AS FAR AS CON VIZ IS GOING.
HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO CRITICS? >> >>JOE TERZI: I THINK THOSE CRITICS DON'T
UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WHAT THE ROLE OF SELLING THE BUILDING
IS. WE'RE OUT THERE EVERY DAY SELLING SAN DIEGO.
WE WAKE UP AS AN ORGANIZATION WITH NOTHING MORE THAN HOW DO WE ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE TO
SAN DIEGO WHETHER IF BE A LEISURE VISITOR, MEETING, LARGE CONVENTION, THAT'S OUR ROLE,
THAT'S WHAT WE DO. THAT'S WHAT WE SPEND OUR TIME DOING.
SO THIS UNIFIES THAT SELLING EFFORT, PUTS IT BACK UNDER THE BUREAU, ALLOWS US TO LEVERAGE
A LOT OF THE CAPACITIES WE HAVE NOW, AND ALLOWS US TO GET DEEPER INTO THE MARKET WITH ONE
MESSAGE ABOUT SAN DIEGO. THAT TO ME IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THAT.
WHEN WE ATTRACT PEOPLE TO SAN DIEGO, THEY STAY IN THE HOTEL SAID, BECAUSE OF THE CONVENTION
CENTER. THERE'S NO ONE THAT DOESN'T WIN IN THIS DEAL
WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT THAT WAY BECAUSE REALLY THE EXPANSION WILL DRIVE ALMOST 300,000 MORE
ROOM NIGHTS INTO THE MARKET ANNUALLY, WHICH IS A HUGE NUMBER.
THE HOTELS WILL BE BUSIER, BUT REALLY THE CITY IS ONE OF THE MAJOR BEN U FACTORS BECAUSE
IT GETS 10.5% OF EVERY DOLLAR SPENT IN SAN DIEGO HOTELS AND THEY KEEP ALL OF THE TOT
TAX REVENUE, OVER 150ÊMILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR.
>> >>PEGGY: YOU'RE ARGUING THAT BOTH WILL BENEFIT.
>> >>JOE TERZI: ABSOLUTELY, NO QUESTION. >> >>PEGGY: IF THE HOTEL TAX ENDS UP NOT BEING
LEGAL, HOW WILL THAT IMPACT THE CONVENTION CENTER.
>> >>JOE TERZI: THIS DEALÊ THE AGREEMENT IS IN PLACE, ASSUMING THAT IT GETS APPROVED
BY THE CITY COUNCIL, WILL MOVE FORWARD. IT'S NOT CONTINGENT ON THE CENTER EXPANSION.
IT'S AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL BE PUT IN PLACE EFFECTIVE HOPEFULLY THIS WEEK.
AND IT RUNS FOR FOUR YEARS. AND THEN THERE'S A RENEWAL AGREEMENT THAT
EVERY YEAR AFTER THAT IT WOULD BE RENEWED ON A TWO YEAR RO ROTATING BASIS.
SO AT A MINIMUM IT'S FOUR YEARS AND THEN HOPEFULLY AFTER THAT RENEW EVERY SECOND YEAR.
>> >>PEGGY: IT'S NOT NECESSARILY CONTINGENT. SO ONE BRIEF THING I HAVE TO COVER IS LAST
WEEK THE LABOR UNION PES HELD THIS PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT THE LIVING WAGE SAYING YOU WANTED THAT
STRUCK FROM THE AGREEMENT. A, IS THAT TRUE, AND B, WHERE DOES IT STAND
NOW? >> >>JOE TERZI: YEAH, UM, THERE'S A MISPERCEPTION
THERE. WE ASKED THE QUESTION OF THE CITY HOW DOES
THIS AFFECT OUR ASSOCIATES? WE HAVE ABOUT 80 ASSOCIATES THAT VOLUNTEER WITH US, THAT
ACTUALLY WORK AT ALL THE VISITOR CENTERS WE HAVE, THAT INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC, AND THEY
WORK ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS. WE WERE CONCERNED IF WE DID HAVE A LIVING
WAGE AGREEMENT WE HAD TO LIVE UNDER, WE COULDN'T KEEP THOSE ASSOCIATES INVOLVED.
IT WAS REALLY MORE ABOUT DOES THIS APPLY TO OUR VOLUNTEER GROUP.
WE COULDN'T GET A RULING. WE JUST GOT A RULING ON FRIDAY THAT SAID NO
IT DOESN'T APPLY TO VOLUNTEERS, THE PEOPLE THAT VOLUNTEER TO HELP OUT.
IT DOES APPLY TO FULL AND PART TIME ASSOCIATES. WE HAVE NO ONE WORKING AT THE BUREAU THAT
DOESN'T MAKE AN EXCESSIVE ALMOST 20 DOLLARS AN HOUR.
IT'S IN THE CON CONTRACT, IT WAS A MISPERCEPTION ABOUT WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO.
>> >>PEGGY: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, JOE.
>> >>DWANE: ANOTHER CHANGE MAY BE COMING TO THE CONVENTION CENTER SOON.
IT'S EXTERIOR SALES NEED REPLACING. THEY'RE TWO YEARS PAST THEIR USEFUL LIFE.
THE CONVENTION CENTER SAYS IT COULD BE A PROBLEM IN A BIG WIND STORM.
PUTTING NEW SALESIS EXPECTED TO COST MORE THAN 11ÊMILLION DOLLARS.
>> >>PEGGY: TONIGHT IN OUR PUBLIC SQUARE, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TOLD THE CITY COUNCIL LAST
NIGHT THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE BALBOA PARK PLAZA DE PANAMA PLAN AND YOU HAD SOME THOUGHTS TO
SHARE WITH US AS WELL. ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE:
AND JOHN KEYSLER SAID: >> >>PEGGY: YOU CAN WEIGH IN ON THIS CONVERSATION
BY FOLLOWING US ON TWITTER, LIKING US ON FACEBOOK OR YOU CAN JUST E MAIL US AT PUBLICSQUARE
@ KPBS.ORG. >> >>DWANE: RECAPPING TONIGHT'S TOP STORIES
A PRESERVATIONIST GROUP SAYS IT WILL SUE TO STOP THE PLAZA DE PANAMA PROJECT.
SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE PLAN TO PUT A BYPASS BRIDGE AWFORT CABRILLO BRIDGE
AND WOULD INCLUDE A PAID UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE. THE PROPOSAL IS INTENDED TO GET CARS
OUT OF THE PARK. THE SAVE OUR HERITAGE ORGANIZATION SAYS IT WOULD DAMAGE THE PARK, AND CLAIMS
PAID PARKING WOULD VIOLATE A STATUTE, STATE LAW ESTABLISHING BALBOA PARK AS A FREE ZONE.
MAYOR JERRY SANDERS SAYS THE CITY ANTICIPATE AD POSSIBLE SUIT BUT SAYS THE OPPONENTS DON'T
HAVE A STRONG ARGUMENT. HE SAYS PARK VISITORS WILL STILL HAVE FREE
OPTIONS. SAN DIEGO'S SCHOOL BOARD HAS HALTED PLANS
TO CLOSE OR CONSOLIDATE UP TO EIGHT CAMPUSES TO SAVE MONEY.
THE BOARD WANTS THE DISTRICT STAFF TO LOOK AT EACH SCHOOL ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS RATHER
THAN SIMPLY CHOOSING SCHOOLS TO SHUT DOWN. YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE,
KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION. THANKS FOR JOINING US, YOU HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.
EBBING CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY ECAPTIONS.