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Meet our new District Council Chair: Sean Slater!
Starting in July, we will have a new District Council Chair, Sean Slater! Here is a message from Sean about his hopes for his term as Chair.
We are excited to announce the completion of our second Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) this year, focusing on the central portion of El Cajon Blvd in San Diego. We can’t wait to see how the area transforms. This project would not have been possible without our wonderful volunteers. Here are a few perspectives from our TAP Panelists:
Michael Tactay
Manager, Keyser Marston Associates, Inc
Being a Co-Chair for the Urban Land Institute’s Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) for El Cajon Boulevard was both an enriching and exhilarating experience. Our client for this TAP was the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association (ECBIA). It was a pleasure to work side by side with professionals in various fields, including architects, planners, designers, developers, civic organizations.
The objective of our two-day session was to provide an independent analysis and strategic recommendations regarding planning for the development of El Cajon Boulevard corridor between Interstate 805 (I-805) and I-15. Specifically, we addressed key questions related to brand identity, housing and economic development, and opportunity sites.
The first day consisted of a walking tour of the corridor. This provided us an opportunity to understand the existing conditions, including amenities, restaurants, and public uses. We were struck by the aging condition of the sidewalks, lack of public spaces/destinations, and auto-oriented nature of the corridor. However, we were able to note some positives of the area, including the ethnically diverse restaurants, ECBIA banners, historic streetlights, and art/music influence. In addition to the walking tour, we were able to conduct interviews with key stakeholders, including community members, public officials, and business owners who helped us identify specific needs and potential opportunities.
The second day consisted of internal discussion and compiling recommendations in the form of a slide deck/presentation to the ECBIA. Through the walking tour and our interviews with key stakeholders, we were able to make key recommendations for revitalization of the area. Recommendations included solidifying a brand for the corridor through banners/signage, building off the existing music/art scene, celebrating the area’s cultural diversity, implementing sidewalk enhancements, adding trees for shade, and creating a road diet.
Overall, this was a great experience and provided me and my fellow professionals the opportunity to combine all of our different skillsets to make meaningful impacts within the community. I look forward to seeing the outcome of our work and hope that it can spur continued and organic growth within the corridor.
Peter Ritchey
Engineer, Kimley-Horn
Participating in the El Cajon Boulevard T.A.P. was a fantastic opportunity. Through my professional career, I already new several of the other panelists but was also able to meet the others who are great, varied members of the real estate / development community here in San Diego. Having grown up in Central San Diego, including my entire professional career, being a part of the group helping re-envision this section of El Cajon Boulevard was exciting. As the only civil engineer in the group, I felt a lot of initial pressure to provide insight on the infrastructure opportunities for the area, but during the T.A.P. workshop, the input I provided and received from the other participants was very easy and collaborative. I’m excited to see where the process goes from here and will be following / tracking closely.
Participating in the El Cajon Boulevard T.A.P. was a fantastic opportunity. Through my professional career, I already new several of the other panelists but was also able to meet the others who are great, varied members of the real estate / development community here in San Diego. Having grown up in Central San Diego, including my entire professional career, being a part of the group helping re-envision this section of El Cajon Boulevard was exciting. As the only civil engineer in the group, I felt a lot of initial pressure to provide insight on the infrastructure opportunities for the area, but during the T.A.P. workshop, the input I provided and received from the other participants was very easy and collaborative. I’m excited to see where the process goes from here and will be following / tracking closely.
Peter Armstrong
Affordable Housing Developer, Wakeland
It was a pleasure to work on the TAP for the El Cajon Blvd BIA. It was an enriching experience to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team on development ideas for the Boulevard. It was also nice to study the strengths and opportunities of a specific location in detail, with input from stakeholders that know the area well. Through the TAP, I was able to connect with the place and the people. I look forward to seeing the vision of the TAP come to fruition over the next few years. In addition, as a developer, I came away intrigued by the possibilities of the study area.
Interested in participating in or sponsoring our next TAP? Click here.