DISCOVER THE SOUTH NORMAL HEIGHTS RENAISSANCE

We've been hearing plenty about the North Park re-development, what with DR Horton's La Boheme under construction at University and 30th Street and The Renaissance with its' construction trucks up at El Cajon and 30th Street, one can hardly get out of the way of it. But what about the quiet and hardly noticed renaissance of Normal Heights south of Adams Avenue.

This is the area bounded by I-15 on the east, Meade on south, Adams Avenue on the north and 1-805 on the west. The transformation is subtle, but dynamic. And there's still opportunity to take advantage of good prices available in the area.Let's first note the transformation by looking at the business district that supports the families in this area. The Von's at Cherokee and Adams Avenue, has just completed a total renovation and has added new services such as a Starbucks kiosk, a larger and more diverse hot and cold "meals on the go" section, produce has a new "market fresh" look and there are many more cashiers and all are ringing, all the time. Von's is hugely busy and an anchor in the neighborhood. We have a two year new "Curves for Women" across the street that was an old eyesore of a home that was totally renovated and now offers a health service business to the area. Heading west to the rehabilated Wilkinson Building, Rosie O'Grady's has a new Wine Bar and next door is the new Bamboo and Beyond. Just next to that is the La Francaise Cafe and Bakery due to open any day now. The Laundromat at 35th and Adams got a facelift this past 2 years and across the street, Craftsman Foundation renovated a small free standing building and moved in, too. Moving west, the empty boarded up two-story building at 3470 Adams Avenue, a few doors from De'Millie's, just finished a renovation and we should see new businesses soon. Back to south Adams Avenue, Salon Bordeaux, a hair and spa salon at 3393 Adams replaced that long empty storefront and The Country Kabob, a Greek restaurant at 3375Adams is still open and celebrating their 3rd year. The closed Arrardvark's book store, after a few stalled attempts is now completed, looking dignified and stands ready for a new tenant at Felton and Adams. Café Cabaret at E. Mountain View and Adams and the new Adams Café and Deli (offering oysters and cocktails??) round out the need for coffee, food and drink far east or west on Adams. Two additional newly renovated stores and building are Skin Pleasures at 3246 Adams and Gezebelle Day Spa at 3242 Adams. Studio 1904, open over a year now sits kitty corner and there's talk of a new restaurant at the former Prince and the Pauper Bookstore location at 3201 Adams Avenue. Valero, our local gas station got upgraded electronic payment system and new pumps in the past 2 years too. These new and old businesses are staying and thriving. They are supported by, and giving vital services to, the residences in the area. And they
help attract new residents to the neighborhood.

Other services that support families are parks and schools. The brand new 39th Street Park at I-15 and south Adams Avenue was officially opened in 2005 and brings moms, dads, kids, dogs, singles and couples out to enjoy the park facilities, playground and picnicing opportunities. The brand new elementary school will open south of Adams Avenue just behind this park, for the fall semester, September 2006 and promises to be a Grade A school and a big draw for families to move within this school zone south of Adams. St. Didicus parochial school, south of Adams at 4606 35th Street has been a huge educational magnet to the area for many years. The park at Mansfield and Adams Ave., in front of the John Adams school, also has new equipment and a facelift. It's the home of many area little league softball, soccer and other sports team events.

Other factors demonstrating the renaissance in south Normal Heights are the many recent condo conversions. We have Adela at 3535 Madison Avenue, the just completed Adams Avenue at the Park at 3449 Adams Avenue, the Element at 4660 Iowa Street and Monroe Villas at 39th and Monroe. These projects have come to the market place in the past 6 months and offer entry level home ownership in this area. More home ownership in an area translates to pride of ownership and increased real estate values. Home owners have a financial interest in keeping their residences looking good. There were also 2 brand new homes built in 2005 at 4639 36th St. and the renovations of bungalow courts at 4626-30 Cherokee, a 2-on-1 at 4676 E. Mountain View and rental apartment complex renovations at The Villas at Cherokee at 4629 Cherokee also depict the renewal in the area to the rental housing stock also. On every block is evidence of exterior home painting and renovations.

Every neighborhood has its' least liked neighbor and local trouble spot. It was a bar at Cherokee and Madison that has been permanently closed down. It created noise and late night trouble and has been gone now nearly a year!! So peace and quiet have been restored. The South Normal Heights area is robust and thriving, going upscale and recommended as a new home site for you.