Citrus Plant eye-sore gets new life

Finally, the resurrection of what is commonly called the Citrus Plant has begun. The burned-out building located on South Mission Road, neighbored by College Avenue and Beech Street, has had many terms used to describe it, including “eyesore,” “blighted” and “dangerous,” but will soon represent the revitalization of downtown Fallbrook.

Plans show that the building will be 69,374 square feet and will house mini storage units and office space. There will be three floors in addition to the basement level.

Cleanup has already begun on the site, headed by ICF Installers, which plans to not only complete the project in about a year but do so in an environmentally friendly way, said Bernd Haferkamp of the company.

In recent weeks the minimal demolition needed has been completed. They did most of it during the rain and controlled their water drainage so it could be pumped onto the various piles of material. Haferkamp estimated 15 tons of metal came from that, which was separated from the concrete and will be recycled. The money generated from the recycling will be donated to the Fallbrook Land Conservancy.

In addition, the estimated 1,800 tons of brick and concrete left will be crushed into small particles to be safely used as part of the grading and support for the future parking lot, said Haferkamp.

While grading the site, the ICF Installers team has dumped all dirt piles through a large “strainer” that separates the reusable dirt from the trash and burnt debris of years past. Haferkamp believes this has reduced the trash by 80 percent.

“It is a big deal,” said Vince Ross, president of the Village Association, who has been one of the driving forces behind the invigoration of the downtown district. “This will bring new life to the whole area.”

Ross believes the unsightly appearance the property has had since it burned down in the early ’90s has had a negative impact on the town’s ability to attract visitors. “It’s a downer and [tourists] think we’re a run-down town.”

Jim Russell, chairman of the Fallbrook Community Planning Group, speaks highly of the progress as well. It is a “very good project” and “a good addition to our downtown.” He expects the owners to have a smooth process after their three and a half years of planning and processing with the county. When asked if it was ready to go, Russell assertively said, “Absolutely.”

The future of the rather static state of this section of the village is about to see a lot of change, assures Ross. He believes the next two likely signs of progress will be a new library, not yet a guarantee, tied to the current one and the construction of a visitor’s center nearby. The center could be complete in less than two years, said Ross.

A key to developing the area is to not become “too greedy” with growth and money in order to keep Fallbrook’s character, said Ross. “When it works, it really becomes an enriching thing.”

What has made the plans for the plaza succeed, unlike the previous attempts by multiple development groups, is the choice to have mixed use, said Bob Leonard of the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce.

Currently there are no businesses that have entered into a lease with the plaza. “People are hesitant to commit until they actually see progress on the development,” said Larry Gabele, one of the project’s owners. “Too many

have been made in the past by others trying to develop the site.”

Gabele said he hopes the community will support them when the building is complete; based on the consensus of local leaders, it looks like a real possibility.