No more public access for First Street alleyways in Calexico
CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KSWT, T3)
News changes are coming to downtown Calexico in efforts to revitalize the shopping district.
The Calexico City council has approved a city ordinance to prevent public access to alleyways along First Street.
The alleyways along First street have become an eyesore in the downtown area. The city says they have a problem with people loitering, digging through trash and even using the alleys as a public restroom.
The city council recently had gates installed at the alleyways on First street to help combat trespassing, but the city says it’s not enough.
The city will now be locking the gates permanently with combination locks.
“The combination locks will be on the gates and all the merchants, as well as the police, and the fire department will have the combinations," said Morris Reisen, Calexico city council.
The city is even taking it a step further.
“The trash bins are going to have to be covered with locks. Everybody is going to have to put locks on their trash bins," said Reisen.
Downtown store owners, we spoke said they are tired of the dirty alleyways.
“I am in agreement with this change. The alleyways are dirty and they’re dangerous we need more security, there are people just walking through them, urinating and they often break into business through the alleyways," said Sandra Nunez, store owner.
The city hopes this will be a positive step towards revamping the downtown area.
The Calexico city council also approved a plan to close Rockwood Street between First and Second Street in order to build a pedestrian-only promenade are. Taxi drivers located on Rockwood will be forced to relocate.
“It has its pros and it's cons because people already know where we are located and they come directly here. It’s a matter of informing the customers of where to find us, but really I wish the city would just make up their minds because they keep relocating us," said Alejandro Lopez, local taxi driver.
The Calexico city council also has plans to help downtown business owners improve their storefronts to attract more customers.
