Jerde Appoints Michael Friedlander CEO

Michael Friedlander has joined Los Angeles-based The Jerde Partnership, an international architecture and urban planning firm, as chief executive officer.

Founder and chairman Jon Jerde, FAIA, will continue to be the creative force behind the firm's innovative designs.

"This is one of the most exciting times at The Jerde Partnership," Jerde said. "Our portfolio includes more than 90 built projects in 70 cities that attract nearly 1 billion visitors each year. With 56 new projects on the board in more than 30 cities, we are busier than we have ever been before.

"Mike will help put together a solid business infrastructure and growth plan for our enormously successful design practice."

As an attorney specializing in internal business, South African born Friedlander has represented clients in business transactions in Asia, Europe, Canada, South Africa, South and Central America. He has strongly advocated to clients the business and economic advantages of tailoring products and services to meet the cultural needs of foreign markets.

In 1997, he co-founded Los Angeles-based RhythmRadio Corp. with radio icon Shadoe Stevens and three-time Grammy-winning songwriter Charlie Midnight. As CEO of RhythmRadio, Friedlander built a global brand for an experiential global radio network showcasing vibrant music from around the world. Under his direction, RhythmRadio became syndicated in more than 30 countries and secured sponsorship from Nescafe.

"I am thrilled to be joining The Jerde Partnership," Friedlander said. "I have the utmost admiration for the firm's passion to innovate with experiential designs that respond to the unique culture and personality of each project.

"I am excited by the mix of veteran designers led by icon and founder, Jon Jerde, and the extraordinary talented young designers who have been groomed for many years, and are now ready to inject their own enthusiasm and excitement into the next generation of Jerde projects."

SCE Offers Long-term Contracts to Attract New Power Plants

Rosemead-based Southern California Edison has issued a competitive request for offers in an effort to attract new electricity generation to the southern part of the state. The RFO solicits bids for power contracts lasting up to 10 years for new generation facilities that could be online between June 1, 2006, and Aug. 1, 2008.

RFO documents, which reflect input SCE received during an April 20 bidder's conference, are available at www.sce.com/NewGenRFO.

The plan SCE is proposing calls for contracts that benefit all customers served from the California Independent System Operator transmission grid in the area known as "SP-15" (Southern California). SCE anticipates limiting the maximum volume contracted under this RFO to 1,500 megawatts and reserves the right to sign no contracts if bids are unsatisfactory.

"There are growing concerns that this part of the state may not have adequate generating capacity in coming years," said Alan Fohrer, SCE's chief executive officer. "We believe an RFO of this type could be an effective transitional measure to help bring new generation to Southern California while state policymakers continue work on a market structure that encourages new power plant construction."

Some recent assessments by state agencies such as the California Energy Commission and the Cal-ISO indicate that supplies could be tight this summer if extreme conditions(a) develop in the SP-15 area. These studies predict that supply-and-demand conditions will continue to tighten in the future.

In addition to measures already in place or planned -- transmission upgrades and customer conservation, energy efficiency and "demand-response" programs -- new generating resources will be needed to maintain system reliability. Because the design, siting, permitting, and construction of new power plants can take years, SCE believes it is imperative that steps be taken now to ensure adequate supplies for 2006 and beyond.

As a part of SCE's RFO plan, the utility will ask the California Public Utilities Commission to support the appropriate allocation of new generation costs among SP-15 customers who would benefit from such projects.

Kitchell Awarded Courthouse Project

Phoenix-based Kitchell has been awarded a contract by the Dept. of General Services for construction project management services to build a 61,000-sq.-ft. courthouse in Fresno for the Fifth Appellate District Courthouse in for the Judicial Council of California.

The architect on the project is Los Angeles-based A.C. Martin Partners.

The project is scheduled for completion in early 2007.

The 61,000-sq.-ft., three-story building includes offices, a law library, courtroom, security rooms, teleconference center, computer rooms and other support areas.

The project also includes site improvements, landscaping and security fencing around the adjacent parking area.