El Cajon City Council members directed staff this week to return with an analysis of legal, financial and policy options tied to Parkway Plaza, one of East County’s largest retail properties.

East County Magazine reported that the discussion came during the council’s July 28 meeting and focused on how the city can plan for the long-term future of the 80-acre mall site. City staff said the review is for planning purposes and does not commit the city to a specific action.

The mall has faced several challenges in recent years, including Walmart’s 2024 closure and bankruptcy proceedings involving one part-owner, according to the report. The city has also been working on a broader land-use planning effort around Parkway Plaza and the nearby Arnele Avenue Transit Station.

Council members described Parkway Plaza as a major economic asset for El Cajon and pointed to its history as a regional shopping hub. The report also notes that several national brands, including Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane’s, have signed leases connected to the property.

For Santee residents, Parkway Plaza remains one of the closest major retail centers outside city limits. Any redevelopment, public acquisition analysis or major tenant shift could affect East County shopping patterns, jobs and traffic along the Interstate 8 and State Route 67 corridor.

Source: East County Magazine.