Living in Sacramento, its easy to take for granted that we actually reside in the State Capitol of California, which represents the 9th largest economy in the entire world.  At times, a healthy reminder is in order to draw attention to this remarkable privilege that we all share.  Important matters are considered and decided every day inside the venerable halls of the State Capitol.  We are certainly fortunate to now have our very own local correspondent, Christopher Arns (Sacramento Business Journal), who has already written over 40 stories covering legislative activities surrounding the State Capitol since January.  

It is incumbent upon citizens to communicate with legislators to ensure their voices are heard.  It is within this context I participated last week in the 4th Annual Legislative Summit at the State Capitol, hosted by the California Asian Chamber of Commerce.  Pat Fong Kushida (President & CEO of the CalAsian Chamber) led four teams who met with over 40 legislative offices to discuss pro-business issues including workforce development, taxation, economic development, and regulatory reform.  It was a terrific day with open dialogue and a distinct willingness to come together.

California State Senator Jim Nielsen (third from left) with CalAsian Chamber lobby team

One such meeting took place with Senator Jim Nielsen (see picture above), where team representatives connected on a personal level, sharing concerns and ideas for improvement in various areas.  This scene repeated itself many times throughout the day as we walked the halls, transitioning from one meeting to the next.  In a fitting culmination of events, the CalAsian Chamber lobby teams capped off the evening with a tasteful reception with dozens of legislators and staffers, along with community and business leaders.

Continue Reading…

McClellan Park recognizes Brian Jacks of East West Commercial Real Estate in the December 21, 2012 issue of Sacramento Business Journal for signing a 10 year lease for 72,021 sf with Jackson Sports Academy.  Click here for the press release.

 

Continue Reading…

The California Legislature recently approved Senate Bill 1186, which is designed to curb the misuse and abuse of California’s ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) laws and protect business owners. The catalyst driving the Legislature’s action was what the Bill’s authors described as a serious problem in which claimants and attorneys file “shakedown lawsuits against businesses in an effort to gain an easy payday with no intention of improving access for the disabled community.” Landlords and property owners were often faced with exploitive demand letters for money and would choose to pay the claimant simply to avoid the time and expense of dealing with litigation. 

Continue Reading…

East West Commercial Real Estate is pleased to announce its successful relocation of Jackson Sports Academy (JSA) to McClellan Park in Sacramento County.  Effective December 1, 2012, JSA is taking over 72,000 square feet of primarily warehouse space, which represents only a small portion of the 8.5 million square feet of commercial real estate that comprises McClellan Park.

The new space will provide sufficient room for 12 volleyball courts, which is currently the predominant sport for JSA.  Other sports to be offered will include basketball, soccer and tennis.  According to Dwayne Jackson, Executive Director of JSA, “we’re most excited about the massive parking lot, large upstairs offices with training room, hospitality suite and parent’s lounge, 38-foot high ceilings, plus free-span building without interference from structural support poles.”

Click here for related article by the Sacramento Business Journal or recent news story by Good Day Sacramento.

Continue Reading…

South Sacramento’s Southgate Plaza is once again the subject of serious interest in commercial real estate circles.  First, it was the unfortunate departure of Walmart in 2009, Vacant Commercial Real Estate in Sacramentowhich resulted in the closing of its 135,000 square foot retail store on the southeast corner of Florin Road and Franklin Blvd.  The approximate 300,000 square foot commercial shopping center was decimated as remaining tenants gradually moved out due to lack of foot traffic.  Following a foreclosure on the property just one year later, the new operator and Sacramento commercial real estate brokers have been desperately trying to attract new tenants (see related article for progress update). Unfortunately, Walmart still controls the lease and is now doing its best to block a subsequent retailer from taking over its space for competitive reasons.  County of Sacramento officials are furious and pressuring Walmart to reconsider its position for the good of the community.  Brian Jacks of East West Commercial Real Estate’s Sacramento office was quoted by Kelly Johnson in an article, published in the Sacramento Business Journal.  In addition, News 10 ran this story about the subject.  

Continue Reading…

Empty restaurant buildings continue to sit idle throughout much of the greater Sacramento area.  Not so for the old Jolly Burger located at 7150 Auburn Blvd (historic Route 40) in Citrus Heights.  Under a new operator, the local burger stand will re-open with the same name on Saturday, November 10, 2012.

Jack and Sue Darting were the original proprietors of Jolly Burger for many years and worked hard to create a memorable dining experience.  In addition to friendly staff, customers were always greeted by a three dimensional cheesy hamburger affixed atop the building… one of Jack’s personal creations. The Dartings offered good old fashioned quality food including burgers, sandwiches, frosties, sundaes and shakes.  Their food was always a hit with the locals and especially students from Sylvan Elementary and Middle School, right across the street.  One can still find amazing consumer reviews on various websites like Yelp, Urban Spoon and Insider Pages.

Continue Reading…

The last few years of economic distress has clearly taken its toll on the Sacramento commercial real estate market.  One prime example involves the 2009 closing of a 130,000 square foot Wal-Mart facility in Southgate Plaza, located on the southeast corner of Florin Road & Franklin Blvd in South Sacramento.

Sacramento Commercial Real Estate Digital Sign 2

As the main anchor for this 300,000 square foot community center, Wal-Mart’s departure ultimately created a mass exodus of tenants who had successfully lived off its draw of local shoppers for many years.  Holes began to appear with “FOR LEASE” signs being posted by a property manager anxious to re-lease the empty spaces.

Click here for related story by Sandy Nax of the Sacramento Business Journal.

Continue Reading…

According to industry sources, a 12-story, Class A, Gold LEED certified commercial real estate office building known as 2020 Gateway Tower (north of Downtown Sacramento) may soon receive its first tenant. 

2020 Gateway Tower - Sacramento

News 10 anchor Cornell Barnard reported the California State Department of Housing and Community Development is considering the possibility of relocating its 100,000 square feet of office space (currently located at 1800 3rd Street) into the never-been-leased 325,000 square foot, green energy-efficient building in Natomas.  News 10 caught up with Sacramento Commercial Real Estate Broker, Brian Jacks, who said “many State office buildings are in nice locations, but this could be a great lease deal for taxpayers, as the owners [of 2020 Gateway Tower] are likely eager to lease space here for the first time after building completion three years ago.”  Click here to watch

Continue Reading…

People who live and work in California’s State Capitol of Sacramento are still reeling from the de-leveraging effects of the housing collapse.  Many workers lost good paying jobs and could no longer maintain their mortgage payments, ultimately losing homes to foreclosure.  Others, who were able to keep their jobs, experienced such a dramatic reduction in home values that equity lines of credit were cut off and refinancing to take advantage of historic low rates became impossible.

Continue Reading…

East West Commercial’s Regional Vice President, Brian Jacks, is featured in the Sacramento Business Journal for the recent lease of Hacker Lab. Mark Anderson of the Sacramento Business Journal writes,” Gina Lujan took a big leap of faith Monday, agreeing to move Hacker Lab in September from its 850-square-foot office to a 10,480-square-foot building in downtown Sacramento. Hacker Lab rents desk space and office space to startups ranging from software developers to web designers. The collective shares some equipment and some of the tenants mutually support others with equipment and expertise.” Click Here to continue reading!