SAN DIEGO — People in Lincoln Park are fed up with an entire block's worth of properties that have been vacant for years.
“I wanna see businesses here," said Barry Pollard with the Urban Collaborative Project.
Pollard was born and raised in Lincoln Park. He recalls a time when the area of Imperial and Euclid was thriving, but says much of that luster went away after several of the main businesses there shut down.
"Businesses started to leave here and it never really garnered developer attention and I'm absolutely sure it's got all to do with where this is because it's been vacant for years and this whole area has been redlined for years," said Pollard.
What used to be an auto shop, market and restaurant are now dilapidated structures covered in graffiti and surrounded by trash.
Recently, CBS 8 found three separate complaints filed with the City of San Diego calling it a blight, citing unstable buildings due to fires, and homeless people living inside.
While there Friday, CBS 8 met a man named Sam who said he's been staying there every night.
Robert Ito with Ito, Gerard and Associates said he’s just as concerned as others in the neighborhood.
His company owns one of the parcels.
CBS 8 asked him what the plans are for the space.
He explained a developer entered into a purchasing agreement with them in 2020, but escrow fell through in 2023. Now, his company is working with another developer, a deal they hope will close by the end of the year.
"The developer that we're talking to is also thinking about a mixed-use housing project, both commercial and housing on that site," said Ito.
In the meantime, Ito is working to secure financing to knock the buildings down so they're not such an eyesore and to keep people from going inside.
He told CBS 8 he's repeatedly put fencing up and has filed trespassing reports to the San Diego Police Department, both of which haven't worked.
Like Pollard, Ito grew up in the area and wants to see it thrive.
Both are hopeful that will happen, it's just going to take more time.
"I went into this, knowing that there would be some ups and downs. But, I went into this with the idea of wanting to improve the Imperial Avenue corridor," said Ito.
"I just want this to thrive. I love this community. I love this area," said Pollard.
Here's the response the City of San Diego provided to CBS 8:
The Development Services Department’s Building and Land Use Enforcement (BLUE) was only this week made aware of complaints about the buildings. We will have a code enforcement investigator out to the properties next week. BLUE has no information on the existing conditions, possible violations or enforcement remedies at this time.
Abandoned property cases are a Priority 2 and are investigated within five business days. If violations are found, it will be the responsibility of the property owner to correct those violations and BLUE will enforce per standard procedures.
Watch Related: Southeast San Diego residents urge city to redo Emerald Hills Park (Mar 4, 2024)