PLAN FOR EL CAJON BLVD. FOCUSES LESS ON AUTOS
Pedestrian-friendly neighborhood hubs, preservation of diverse cultures, more housing goals of BLVD 2020
A new plan aims to slowly transform car-centric El Cajon Boulevard into a series of pedestrian-friendly neighborhood hubs with mid-rise housing, restaurants, urban plazas, parks, art displays and event spaces.
Called BLVD 2020, the plan says there is potential to create a regional destination and a thriving cultural hub on the 4-mile roadway, which passes through the San Diego neighborhoods of University Heights, North Park, Normal Heights, Kensington, Talmadge and City Heights.
More than a fifth of San Diego residents live within 5 miles of El Cajon Boulevard, including many in the city’s most ethnically distinct neighborhoods such as Little Saigon and many areas of City Heights.
Merchants and community leaders advocating for the transformation say the goal is to preserve and celebrate that diversity, not force those residents out by gentrifying the area.
Andrew Malick, a local housing developer who specializes in urban projects, said it will be crucial not to whitewash the boulevard’s history and to preserve the area’s “authentic” places.
“As this transition from suburban to urban happens, we need to make sure that all that was great about the boulevard is not lost in the change,” he said.
The plan envisions the boulevard becoming a model for transit-oriented development, because it already has a “rapid bus” lane and it’s located on the planned purple line extension of the San Diego Trolley.
The main feature of transit-oriented development is dense housing projects along
have to be a time of decline. Instead, he believes, aging is a time for opening new doors.
“Years ago we saw aging as a dreary place,” Casciani recalled. “Now, our future is a positive one. As long as we maintain a positive outlook. Seeing aging as an opportunity affords us a whole different take on getting old.”
Our mid-life years, when we are in our 40s, 50s, and 60s, may be the prime years of our lives. They are also an opportunity to prepare for the richness of our next decades.
That’s why Casciani founded the “Living to 100 Club.” The Club is an online resource for learning about successful aging. The club’s goal is to change perceptions. To help individuals, families, and caregivers foster positive approaches to growing older and living longer, healthier and happy lives.
Casciani is aware this can be easier said than done. Since he began working as a mental health professional in the county in the 1970s, Casciani has enjoyed working with aging and elderly adults.
He has seen their physical and emotional challenges. Casciani, who lives in Bay Park, also came to recognize that even if a person’s disease or chronic condition was not reversible, through psychological assessment and treatment, their outlook was.
“To me, successful aging means making it over the hurdles. We’re always going to meet hurdles and setbacks. Even if we can’t live to 100, let’s stay positive while trying.” It’s really Casciani’s motto and his professional passion.
He strives to help lift people up out of any deep, dark emotional holes because of injuries or illness. No matter someone’s age, Casciani insists staying positive is the key to a successful journey through life’s stages.
Through his blogs and podcast, all available on the “Living to 100 Club” website, Casciani curates information about aging, provides insight and advice, and offers plans for visitors and subscribers to consider for themselves. Rather than worrying about getting older, Casciani hopes people will plan to enjoy it.
To learn more about Dr. Joseph Casciani and the “Living to 100 Club,” go to www.livingto100.club.