Downtown Development / Public Improvements

Walkable Community

Funded through a generous grant from SANDAG, El Cajon CDC is reconfiguring Downtown into a pedestrian friendly village. In 2000, Main Street was reconstructed from a four-lane highway into a two-lane street. The parallel parking was changed to diagonal, adding more than 100 spaces and improving the flow of traffic. Plans are underway for lush landscaping, wayfinding and directional signage, and include the completed asphalt stamping to enhance major intersections.

Pedestrian Oriented Downtown El Cajon (PDF)
Walk About Map (PDF)
Asphalt Stamping (PDF)

Magnolia Corridor

In an effort to transform the entryway from Interstate 8 to Downtown El Cajon, a makeover plan for Magnolia Avenue - the "Gateway to Downtown El Cajon" - is in progress. Comprehensive designs include shade covered walkways, ornamental banner poles, wayfinding and directional signage, abundant landscaping along sidewalks and new street furniture.

On August 9, 2007 The Public Works Department presented a streetscape design prepared by City Works, which includes patterned sidewalks and public amenities along Main Street and Magnolia Avenue. Director of Public Works, Mr. Rob Turner, said public comments will be considered as they finalize the plans for this project.

The goal of this project is to have a unified streetscape along the central corridors in Downtown El Cajon. With a $3 million budget allocated to the Redevelopment Agency this year, the City can address the inadequacy of existing streetscape elements such as cracked and uneven sidewalks, insufficient lighting, and the need for additional wayfinding signs for visitors, upgraded electrical system for public events and an improved drainage system to offset the El Cajon flood area.

The streetscape design includes:  

• 6x6 patterned sidewalk squares along Main & Magnolia
• 6 feet expansion of the sidewalk on the north side of E. Main
• additional pedestrian crossings on the 100th block of E. Main
• smaller intersection at Sulzfeld and E. Main
• additional citrus trees and some magnolia trees
• decorative benches with trash receptacles and pots
• decorative pedestrian lighting and smaller scale street lights
• wayfinding signage to guide vehicular and pedestrian traffic
• curb ramps that comply with the 2001 California Building Code
• expanded outdoor dining areas

The new design attempts to reduce noise, traffic and accidents with an ultimate goal of creating a unique, charming and safe environment to attract visitors to Downtown El Cajon.

Parking Strategy

El Cajon CDC and Walker Parking Consultants are partnering to develop a parking strategy considering: maximization of on-street parking, parking requirements for new developments, transit routes and schedules, the elimination of auto trips, parking structures' location and development, employee designated parking, and shared parking.

For more information contact Edith Saldivar, Economic Development Coordinator, at (619) 401-8858.

New Public Safety Facility to be Built in Downtown El Cajon

A new state of the art Public Safety facility will be built at Magnolia and Park adjacent to City Hall in Downtown El Cajon. Click here to see the City’s current development plans.

Rea Avenue Arts District Development

The north side of Rea Avenue will soon be redeveloped into an entire block dedicated to the arts. Several prominent art organizations already call this street home and will soon be joined by artist studios, performance space, recording studios, galleries, and art organizations that will all be housed in this cutting edge mixed-use development.