El Centro aims to bring Downtown back to life

EL CENTRO, Cali. (KYMA, KECY) - The city of El Centro is taking steps to bring more business back to its downtown streets with a new program aimed at cutting startup costs for entrepreneurs.

The Downtown Development Fee Waiver Program waives select city permit fees for projects along Broadway Avenue, Main Street, and State Street between Fourth and Eighth streets. A wide range of businesses are eligible, including restaurants, cafés, retail shops, gyms, event spaces, and certain professional services.

Marlene Swanegan, owner of Aunt Molly’s BBQ and Soul Food, says she hopes the program will help bring more life to downtown.

"Main Street is special to me because I grew up in the ’60s, and my dad actually worked right across the street when he was a Chevrolet dealer," she said.

The program grew out of a city survey conducted last summer asking residents what changes could support downtown businesses. Responses were overwhelmingly positive toward fee waivers.

Swanegan hopes the program will help restore the energy she remembers from her childhood, when Main Street was bustling with shoppers and pedestrians.

"It was a great feeling that anytime you drove down Main Street, you would see dozens of people going in and out of the shops," she said.

Aunt Molly’s grand opening is scheduled for April 19, a milestone Swanegan calls the realization of a longtime dream.

"If it’s something that you dream, dream big and believe that you can do it. I’m believing that I can do it. This is a lot, but it’s wonderful," she said.

Applications for the program open today and will be accepted over the next two years.