Downtown El Cajon is on the cusp of major changes, and the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners (DECBP) are leading the charge, having recently appointed urban regeneration specialist Marco Li Mandri of New City America as Executive Director. Known for his successful revamps of San Diego's Little Italy and Chula Vista's Third Avenue Village, Li Mandri is expected to steer downtown El Cajon toward similar prosperity.

Given Li Mandri's resume, with more than 90 revitalized business districts under his belt and the resultant climb in property values, community stakeholders have good reason to watch developments closely. The city is already embarking on efforts to enhance nightlife and diversify its entertainment offerings, setting the stage for this downtown area to possibly rebrand itself as a new hotspot for diners and revelers. According to the City of El Cajon, efforts to combat homelessness through effective outreach initiatives are also on the agenda, aimed at cleaning up the district as has been accomplished elsewhere.

Marco Li Mandri's strategy pivots on harnessing cultural and economic activities to generate traffic downtown—something he spoke about, emphasizing Downtown El Cajon's untapped potential. "Downtown El Cajon has incredible potential. By using the same revitalization strategies that made Little Italy and Third Avenue thrive, we’re creating a safer, more vibrant downtown that businesses, investors, and the community will be proud of," Li Mandri said, as per the City of El Cajon.