Latest news with #Sawaya
Los Angeles Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Virginia Way underground utility district formed in South Laguna
The Laguna Beach City Council this month gave the go ahead for the formation of a new utility undergrounding project, this time upon a key stretch of roadway in South Laguna. The project will remove six utility poles and associated overhead wires along Virginia Way between 3rd Avenue and 5th Avenue, which city officials identified as a key evacuation route. Just over an hour after it was presented with a comprehensive update on the current and future plans for wildfire mitigation and fire safety on May 6, the City Council adopted a resolution to establish the district. The project will qualify for credits under the California Public Utilities Commission Rule 20A program, according to a city staff report. The CPUC states such work must be in the public interest and may eliminate a heavy concentration of overhead lines, involve a street with a high volume of traffic, or benefit a civic or public recreation area or area of unusual scenic interest. Pierre Sawaya, the city's capital program manager, said the Rule 20A program has been proposed to sunset, although the city had a balance of $857,979 in program credits from San Diego Gas & Electric. 'While the city had previously accrued credits on an annual basis, from SDG&E in this case, there are no additional credit accruals moving forward for such projects,' Sawaya added. The program credits will fund land survey, design engineering and construction work tied to cabling and the removal of utility poles, according to a staff report. An SDG&E estimate for the work came in at $854,507. 'The impacted utilities are SDG&E, the electrical provider, Cox, Frontier, and also Crown Castle has a system running through Virginia Way in that area,' Sawaya said. 'The project would provide underground connections to private properties that are currently fed overhead from the system out there today, and that connection would be provided at no cost to the property owners, which is consistent with 20A projects.' At a glance, the city's preliminary cost for the project is approximately $1.28 million, although city staff said another estimate would be provided after construction drawings were submitted. Funding for the city's portion of the project would be set aside in the capital improvement program budget. Staff projected the date of completion for the work to be August 2027. During the 27-month period, the steps will include design process, entitlements, the bidding for and completion of construction, and the removal of overhead facilities. Resident Ann Christoph called on the council to close a two-block gap between 3rd Avenue and Eagle Rock Way along Virginia Way, noting the nearby West Street underground utility district. 'It is an evacuation route, … and it doesn't seem fruitful to leave that undone when you're going to be doing this portion,' Christoph said. Sawaya said that adding blocks to the project could be possible, but it would necessitate more funding. When asked for an estimate to add the other two blocks by Councilman Bob Whalen, Sawaya responded the city could be looking at 'possibly another $2 million.' The council unanimously approved the engineer's report and the use of the Rule 20A credits, adding direction to staff to investigate possibilities to underground utility lines for the additional two blocks along Virginia Way to the north.
Axios
21-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Audubon's $30M riverfront park and other new projects
Audubon Nature Institute is tearing down the Gov. Nicholls wharf at the edge of the French Quarter to make way for a new $30 million public space along the Mississippi River. Why it matters: The project will create the country's longest contiguous riverfront park, leaders say. The big picture: Audubon leaders hoped to have the park open for Super Bowl LIX, but the project was delayed. Now, the first phase should open by the end of the year with a band shell and public green spaces, says Michael Sawaya, the new CEO and president of Audubon Nature Institute. Once done, the project will create a 2.25-mile walkable and bike-friendly park from Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park. By the numbers: The city is footing half of the bill, with the City Council committing $15 million last year. The rest of the money is coming from Audubon, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and New Orleans & Co., Sawaya says. Catch up quick: The park started during a riverfront development push in 2017, when then-Mayor Mitch Landrieu and others outlined $500 million in projects. Those developments included the now-completed renovation of the World Trade Center into the Four Seasons and the new Canal Street ferry terminal. Audubon's early riverfront ideas included a Ferris wheel and amphitheater, which drew criticism from residents, according to The Times-Picayune. The project has almost doubled in cost since planning started, Sawaya says. Zoom in: Current plans call for it to have open-air structures, a community center, event rental options, a playground, grassy lawns and space for food trucks. The Gov. Nicholls wharf should be torn down in several weeks. The Esplanade wharf is expected to be partly demolished, but Audubon leaders tell us they are still fine-tuning the concept. See the latest proposal. Between the lines: Riverfront parks in Brooklyn, Tampa and Boston have been inspirations for the New Orleans development. More Audubon projects Audubon is also working on a few other projects. Woldenberg Park: The renovations outside the aquarium are expected to wrap up by the end of May, says Jackson Kerby, Audubon's vice president of construction. The new hardscaping, lighting and utility improvements are geared at making it more attractive for special events. Carousel: Audubon lowered the price of its animal carousel after it failed to sell at auction. The zoo is replacing it with a smaller version. Go deeper. New dinosaur exhibit: Work is starting on the Odenheimer rotunda to house a new dinosaur experience, Kerby says. It will showcase the connection with dinosaurs, reptiles and birds. It's the oldest building on the zoo property and was originally Audubon's aquarium. It's next to the reptile house. Construction is expected to begin next year, she says. Giraffe feedings: The zoo recently started allowing guests to pay $5 to hand-feed the new giraffes, Maverick and Fennessy. Go deeper
Syyaha
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Syyaha
INNOVATION TAKES CENTRE STAGE: NAIL ARENA AND NEXT IN BEAUTY RETURN TO BEAUTYWORLD SAUDI ARABIA 2025
Riyadh, KSA: The stage is set for a bolder Beautyworld Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom's leading trade show for beauty, hair, fragrance and wellness, with record numbers of exhibitors and visitors expected to attend. Taking place at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC) from 21 to 23 April, this year's event is set to be a dazzling showcase of the flourishing beauty and wellness landscape in the region. Industry professionals including manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, and salon and beauty experts will be able to peruse six product segments spread across five halls. The Nail Arena powered by Sawaya and Next in Beauty are two of the highlights of the show, attracting global speakers and experts to share their expertise. Introducing: Nail Arena powered by Sawaya Nail Arena powered by Sawaya is where passion meets artistry, and creativity and innovation take centre stage. Offering an electrifying platform for nail professionals, beauty enthusiasts, and trendsetters to immerse themselves in the latest nail artistry innovations, the Nail Arena promises live demonstrations, expert-led sessions, and hands-on experiences with cutting-edge products from leading brands such as Gelish and Morgan Taylor. Educators at this year's edition include Vu Nguyen, a renowned Global Artist who collaborates with top chemists to develop cutting-edge nail products; and Danny Phung, former Global Artist for OPI and now International Sales Manager at Nail Alliance. Highlights of the 2025 agenda for Nail Arena powered by Sawaya include: The Ultimate Performance in Mobile Curing: Gelish 18G Unplugged LED Light on Day One; The Perfect Manicure: Morgan Taylor Nail Polish & Breathable & Naturals on Day Two; and Elevate Your Nails to New Heights: Gelish Flash Glam & Cat Eye on day three. See the full agenda here. Next in Beauty This year's Next in Beauty stage will feature a dynamic blend of insightful speaker sessions and captivating live makeup and beauty demonstrations. With free-to-attend sessions across three days, the program encompasses market intelligence, emerging trends and revolutionary innovation reshaping the beauty sector on local, regional and global scales. The 2025 lineup brings fresh insight, regional expertise, and new strategies for growth across the Saudi beauty market. Key highlights This year's Next in Beauty programme is anchored around the trends transforming the global beauty landscape, and Saudi Arabia's fast-evolving role within it. Key highlights include, on Day One, Andrea Fetzer of Chalhoub Group will explore The Rise of Asian Beauty in the GCC, examining how Korean and Japanese beauty brands are reshaping consumer expectations and retail strategy across the region. During Day Two, the spotlight will turn on influence and authenticity, as entrepreneur and media personality Alice Abdel Aziz leads The Power of Personality – a discussion on how content creators are building brand empires and redefining trust with beauty buyers. Closing the programme on Day Three, a future-forward panel on AI, Personalisation and the Future of Beauty Retail will unpack the technologies revolutionising how consumers discover, try, and shop for products – from diagnostics to virtual try-ons. Other key speakers include: Charbel Watfa – Senior Spa Director MEA, Four Seasons Hotel RiyadhHayat Belhadji – Global Cosmetic & Drugs Programme Manager, IntertekHaifa Addas – Founder & CEO, INSTAGLAMLayla Alhajjaj – Serial Entrepreneur & Business MentorRalph Bou Nader – General Manager, Arabian Oud Tara Rose Kidd – Managing Director, Tara Rose Salon
