Downtown (El Centro, California)

 downtown / central business district  Add category

El Centro was founded in the 1900’s and since its creation it was in competition with Imperial to be the county seat. And having achieved that goal, El Centro is the county seat of Imperial Valley. While rapidly growing its population within the first decade, El Centro’s Downtown Main Street is a well-known monument that it has to offer to Imperial Valley. Since it was first built its main purpose was to give El Centro a town vibe with providing the community a chance to sell local goods, businesses attain income and shop locally. Main Street initiated the opportunity for the community to strive and after many years it still holds its original architecture structures giving it a big value to El Centro.

Downtown Main Street is used to shop locally and to unite the community with its local businesses. Many businesses have managed to still function for many years as in others don’t have the same luck. It’s difficult because the community doesn’t visit Main Street as frequently as people did back when it was created. But to achieve the goal to revive Main Street, a local event is given around once a month to advertise local goods, promote businesses and to revive Main Street. This event is called Nights on Main Street and each time it gets more popular and with great feedback by the community. Although Main Street has that good aspect there I s a problematic aspect to it. Since Main Street isn’t frequently populated by the community, the homeless are all around it. It has caused concern with the community because there is lack of security and people just prefer to avoid going. Businesses are the most affected because clientele is low. City police have taken action by patrolling more often as well as the City is going to install more lights on Main Street to give the community a sense of security.