Merchants give tour, want city action
Merchants welcomed El Centro City Council on a tour of downtown and business owners made it plain they expected concerns to be given more than just an airing on Thursday.
Several dozen gathered at Town Center, proceeded to Fourth Street and then convened in the community hall to discuss challenges and opportunities.
Mayor Alex Cardenas reminded businessmen that $12 million was invested in downtown over the last 15 years.
Abraham Campos, Public Works senior engineer, noted underground wiring for the new lighting is being placed and all alleys connecting Broadway to State Street are already in operation.
Norma Villicana, director of Community Development remarked one problem is many buildings are unreinforced masonry, a business deterrent.
“We’ve had complaints about code enforcement issues so come in to talk to us or go online: www. cityofelcentro.org,” she said.
Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Viegas-Walker and Councilman Jason Jackson are also part of the Downtown Community Enforcement Task Force, they call a partnership.
“We’re considering ordinance changes to make it easier to do business,” she said. “There are complaints about parking lots but it was businesses who asked for two-hour limits to generate turnover. But let’s keep this momentum moving forward.”
“Yet we need priorities and get a balanced budget,” said Jackson. “We know of residents desire for more police … we can’t look at numbers alone and must come up with better solutions.”
The tour was an eye-opener noted Councilman Efrain Silva because downtown is important to everybody. “Some businesses really take care of their property but right next door is a vacant building that hasn’t been swept for months,” he said. “Some tangible outcomes will result from this meeting.”
Raising a concern of many was Toni Tomayo, Serenity Salon owner, who noted some business do not have trash bins and inquired about the possibility of requiring all businesses to have them, but was informed no city ordinance mandates it.
Bringing up the transient problem, Judith Pritchard, WomanHaven director of legal services remarked it creates an atmosphere of vulnerability. “When I arrive at work at 7 a.m. I’ve encountered discarded needles and condoms. This is ridiculous,” she said.
Bryan Walker, Shaolin Kung Fu Five Animals martial arts studio is now coordinating with Central Union and Southwest high schools to recruit students needing community hours, to graduate, to help sweep downtown.
“I’m reaching out to Woman-Haven if you need help arriving we’ll escort you to your building,” he offered. “I ask business owners get brooms we’ll pick up your trash … I need your permission to do it.”
KXO Radio co-owner Gene Brister implores his neighbors to keep locks on trash bins to prevent dumpster diving and spills and hopefully the tour motivates substantial improvements.
Yet citing as a major problem to improvement, is the location of the Imperial Valley Methadone Clinic was Bill Caldwell a nearby homeowner. “I’ve already been assaulted by a drug user who was probably not in his right mind,” he recalled. “It’s not a crime to be homeless. But the homeless need to respect our rights too.”
Bujwah retail clothing owner Jacob Zavala praises the new retro lighting design but implores the city to keep its trash bins from over flowing. “Merchants need to act like merchants, this is not a hobby,” he said. “Part of being in business is consistency. Absentee management is part of the problem.”