El Cajon advances plans to potentially acquire Parkway Plaza

El Cajon is advancing multiple efforts related to the potential acquisition and long-term revitalization of Parkway Plaza, including securing a land-use planning grant and hiring a financial firm to explore funding options.

Officials have lauded the purchase of the mall as one that could reimagine the space into a multi-use site with the potential to generate large amounts of revenue for the city. Early proposals for the renovation would redesign the mall into a space for shopping, housing, social gathering and transit access.

“In its heyday, when the carousel was there, it was the largest source of tax revenue for the city,” Councilmember Phil Ortiz said. “The city has decided to take a leadership role … to see what Parkway Plaza could be for the city, to revitalize it. I’m excited about it, I think it has a lot of potential.”

Parkway Plaza is the largest commercial indoor mall in San Diego County. The retail center has recently seen a shift in ownership, prompting concern for the future of the space from city officials and the public.

Acquiring the property would involve a process that is both complicated and expensive; a market market appraisal performed in 2021 estimated the shopping center’s value at $150 million. City leadership has met in closed sessions with property representatives for the mall several times as part of ong...