Casa De Oro (CDO) Is Ripe For Redevelopment

RICH PAST

In 1870, regular scheduled stage service began on Campo Road. The stage, leaving “new town,” linked downtown San Diego to Yuma, Arizona. Starting from the Ferris & Ferris Drug Store at Fifth and H (now Market Street) at six in the morning, it was a two-horse two-seater holding three or four passengers besides the driver. The road was paved as far out as 16th and H. From there you picked up a cloud of dust that traveled with you all the way, getting thicker by the mile.

Horses were changed twice, and lunch was eaten at Jamul. The stage made three trips each way per week — out Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and in on the other days.

Beginning in 1908, when the Model T Ford was introduced, motor vehicles were increasingly seen along the dirt road.

In 1928, Campo Road became the first paved road in Jamacha Valley. The two major roads into the Valley were Campo Road (to San Diego) and Jamacha Road (to El Cajon) — State 94 and 54 respectively. These two roads crossed at Jamacha Junction (Just east of Casa de Oro and at the beginning of today’s Rancho San Diego). They were the main arteries for residents and area businesses. In 1933, Campo Road was added to the state highway system.

In the 1950’s efforts began to convert the western half of the route to a freeway (from today’s 94/125 intersection to Jamacha Junction). This was finished by 1962, completely bypassing Campo Road in Casa de Oro (“CDO”).

Since the late 1970’s, CDO has remained largely unchanged. Prior to the 94-eastbound extension to Avocado Boulevard in early 1969-1970, Kenwood Drive was the end of the road on the 94 and was the only shopping area for miles around until other nearby shopping centers opened during the mid 1970’s. Unfortunately, the Casa De Oro property owners could never compete with other retailers with their current mix of businesses, so this community has been in slow decline ever since.

Unfortunately, today, the buildings and other structures have aged significantly with few improvements made because zoning codes actually discourage redevelopment. This zoning was put in place at a time when it made sense, but that time is long over.

Compounded by a steady amount of drive-through traffic, unimproved County property, awkward, disconnected parking lots and a hodge-podge of unrelated, older buildings and signage, and a multitude of vacant storefronts, many residents often decide to shop elsewhere.

OPPORTUNITY TODAY

Today, this mile long Casa de Oro business district — at the foot of Mount Helix and bordered by an affluent demographic — is ripe for redevelopment into an attractive, thriving mixed-use, smart growth village. Many of the foundations of ‘Community Identity’ already exist, including elementary and middle schools, churches, banks, library, a national grocery store, and pharmacies. There are also other neighborhood businesses such as take-outs and restaurants, veterinary clinic, dentistry, cleaners, car wash, auto repair shops, coffee shops, insurance and tax preparation services, and other neighborhood support businesses.

Fortunately, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has realized the tremendous opportunity to renovate the Casa de Oro district and has committed to doing all they can to revitalize this key location and encourage private redevelopment.