El Centro is a fast growing town near the Mexican border and the hub of the agriculturally rich Imperial Valley. The city has been awarded funds by the Southern California Association of Governments to assess and evaluate the present use of the downtown area and combine historic preservation with economic development. Fregonese Associates has been working with the City along with business and property owners in order to create a one-of-a-kind vision for the future of Downtown.

This plan will serve as the road map and business plan that the City may use to generate the interest of developers to invest in the El Centro downtown area. Using resources efficiently, beautifying the downtown area, and minimizing pollution by having a pedestrian-friendly and people-oriented community will help shape the downtown district into a burgeoning area that will sustain and serve future generations.