General

Manhattan Beach Goes High-Tech

Apparently the saying “nobody carries cash these days” is resonating with the Manhattan Beach City Council because it recently decided to explore the option of quarter-less parking meters. The council is currently accepting proposals from parking meter vendors who can integrate non-cash options like debit card and credit card payments into the city’s meters. 

Anyone who’s driven in Los Angeles knows how cumbersome it can be to carry large amounts of quarters, and how cash-free payment options would eliminate this inconvenient, and often bulky problem. 

The city hopes to introduce these meters over a 10-month trial period beginning this December. This type of cutting-edge device would be ideal in a city as innovative and trendy as Manhattan Beach, as it’s difficult to leave a dinner, shopping line or cocktail party to fuel a meter.

Wells Fargo Chooses Manhattan Beach as the Location of its Greenest Branch

Of its more than 6,650 bank branches nationwide, Wells Fargo chose Manhattan Beach as the location for its greenest branch. Located at 1129 N. Sepulveda, this is the first branch in the entire Wells Fargo network to achieve a gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. This program recognizes commercial projects that are built in environmentally sustainable manners.

The Manhattan Beach branch features insulation made out of recycled cotton, as well as recyclable carpet, counters and window treatments. It utilizes a light harvesting system that relies on natural lighting when it’s available, as well as a variety of water-saving plumbing fixtures. According to the Daily Breeze, the lighting system uses 20% less energy than a traditional system, while the branch’s plumbing saves 40% more water than standard fixtures.

Alternative transportation options to and from the branch are also encouraged. Bike racks have been installed, and preferred parking spaces are provided for low-emission vehicles.

Manhattan Beach-based Skechers Experiences Positive Growth

One of the many signs that the recession may be ending in the South Bay is the fact that analysts are seeing great potential for Skechers, one of Manhattan’s largest employers, in the near future. 

The Associated Press reported that analytical firms such as Sterne Agee had upgraded their ratings of the shoe giant based on its new product line. In light of the economic downturn, which as hit the retail sector relatively hard, Sterne Agee previously gave Skechers a “Neutral” rating. It recently upgraded that status to “Buy,” however, after the company had posted increasing margins in June. Researchers attributed this increase to Skechers’ new Shape-Up line, which claims to give people a workout every time they wear them. 

With this new insight and positive growth in mind, Sterne Agee also changed its revenue estimates for Skechers from $1.29 million to $1.34 million in 2009, and from $1.38 million to $1.46 million in 2010. Being a billion-dollar company, Skechers has had a great impact on the local economy, especially in Manhattan Beach.