CITY ROUNDUP:

Quiksilver Chief Executive and Chairman Robert McKnight is back in direct control of the Huntington Beach-based corporation, according to company statements.

McKnight is president of the company again and plans to focus on its core apparel brands, according to a news release. That strategy includes pulling back from the Rossignol ski gear brand the company bought in 2005, according to the release.

“Our business objectives today are clear,” McKnight said in a statement. “We will focus our attention on our Quiksilver, Roxy and DC businesses, both to continue their healthy growth and to improve their operating results. At the same time, we will seek to further reduce our exposure to the winter sports equipment businesses we acquired in 2005, including pursuing a sale of the businesses and we will work to improve our balance sheet. As we move forward, our entire organization is deeply committed to executing this plan.”

McKnight replaces Bernard Mariette, who resigned this week from positions as president and as a member of the board of directors.

Adult School looks to move to Ocean View

The Huntington Beach Adult School may be headed to Ocean View High School, according to Huntington Beach Union High School District officials.

District Supt. Van Riley told school board members Tuesday that years of searching had turned up only one acceptable place for the school, which sits on leased property at 16666 Tunstall Lane. With the cost of the lease rising fast, a new facility is now a necessity, he said.

“One of my hopes in this district is to get out of the rental business,” he said. “The adult facility is the last major lease we have going right now.”

The two new buildings would be two stories on unused land on the Ocean View High School campus. The 40,000-square-foot structures would be double the present campus’ size, Riley said.

No vote was taken at the meeting.

Shaw to focus on Cook’s campaign

A widely expected candidate for City Council this year is holding off deciding on his council bid to campaign for an ally. Planning Commissioner Joe Shaw, who unsuccessfully ran in 2006, said he was now communications director for Mayor Debbie Cook’s congressional campaign, and would focus on getting her elected. In the meantime, he will also weigh whether to continue with his own City Council campaign.

Shaw had already filed papers necessary to run, according to city records.

He will keep his spot on the planning commission, appointed to him by Cook.

Owner agrees to tear down gas station

An abandoned gas station at Springdale Street and Edinger Avenue is being demolished in response to city efforts, according to city reports. The code enforcement department had problems ordering change on the property because of multiple changes in ownership, but the current owner agreed to tear down the station, according to authorities.

More condos set aside for affordable housing

Dropping mortgage interest rates have boosted the number of condos set aside for affordable housing for sale, according to city reports.

List prices range from $220,000 for a one-bedroom unit to $403,423 for a three-bedroom unit.

For contact information, go to www.surfcity-hb.org/ Residents/housing/ ownership_info.cfm.