Ryan Carter
How to deal with skyrocketing health-care premiums was on the minds
of local business people last year, but it did not stop them from
doing business. Lots of things happened locally in 2003 that made it
a busy year for commerce in Glendale.
WORKERS' COMP/
HEALTH-CARE ISSUES
Business payments for workers' compensation and medical care came
to the forefront this year as local chambers of commerce lamented
premiums that were threatening to drive businesses out of the state.
Local business people reported high workers' compensation costs.
In one case, Marco Swan, a partner at the Glendale-based precision
metal forming firm Cygnet Stamping and Fabricating Inc., said he got
a 2003 workers' compensation premium invoice of $226,000. In 2002,
the premium was $111,000.
Legislators scurried in 2003 to pass a package of bills aimed at
trimming $4 billion in costs from the state's $29-billion workers'
compensation system. They also passed a controversial law requiring
businesses of certain sizes to pay health insurance.
But local business leaders are looking for more action on workers'
comp in 2004. Kendall said local chambers of commerce, including
Glendale and Burbank, will meet on the issue to push for reforms that
they hope will substantially lower costs.
Health insurance costs were at the heart of the supermarket
workers strike, which affected Ralphs, Albertsons and Vons employees.
CARUSO, GALLERIA AT ODDS
General Growth Properties, owners of the Glendale Galleria,
publicly challenged the $170-million Town Center project. Developer
Rick Caruso hopes to build in the 100 blocks of South Brand Boulevard
and South Central Avenue. The plan includes more than 300 residential
units with more than 430,000 square feet of residential space.
General Growth, which bought the Galleria in 2002, challenged
Caruso's design on the grounds that it closes off streets and creates
walls around the perimeter.
But Caruso said his project, which includes an estimated $60
million from the city, will only increase traffic to the Galleria and
surrounding businesses.
"We have a significant stake in Glendale," said Carol Jacobs,
group vice president for General Growth. "We want to have a Town
Center that works best for everyone."
In December, a long-awaited environmental report on Caruso's plan
included the General Growth design as an alternative to Caruso's.
Elements of the Galleria plan leave certain buildings that were to be
demolished intact and leaves open streets that were to be closed off.
