OAKLAND, CA-The $2.4 million public works grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration is the federal share of the $3.2 million project to design the base's conversion from military use to light industrial, commercial and maritime development.

SAN FRANCISCO-Mayor Willie Brown sent the names of four would-be planning commissioners to the Board of Supervisors yesterday. Brown yanked his first list from consideration a few months back, leaving the commission without a quorum.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA-The Community School of Music and Arts over the weekend celebrated the start of a 25,000-sf, $11 million music and art campus here on Martens Avenue.

NAPA, CA-Hall Financial Group's three-story Hilton Garden Inn, an 80-room boutique hotel in Napa Valley, is complete and recently celebrated its grand opening.

SACRAMENTO-Two apartment complex owners have refinanced their properties, taking advantage of favorable refinancing conditions as mortgage rates have dropped to a 30-year low.

MARTINEZ, CA-Proponents of a newly passed "big-box" ordinance in Martinez say that the legislation is necessary to protect big businesses, but Wal-Mart sees the policy as anti-competitive.

SAN FRANCISCO-A proposed development project could bring affordable housing and employment opportunities to Tenderloin residents, while playing a major role in revitalizing the neighborhood.

SAN JOSE-The City of San Jose, Legacy Partners, Devcon Construction, Cisco Systems and the Santa Clara Unified School District fund a $4.2 million project that will include senior housing and a youth center in San Jose.