c/c San felipe.com

WHY ??

Sure they are not Canadians?

Oh yeah!

It's pretty obvious to me Price, San Felipe must not be the REAL Baja.

Ha ha ha. another authentic Mexican village.

I wonder what is going to happen to all those jobs when the dust clears? I guess they can all go to work as slaves for the Us and Canadian retirees.

actually this is a good thing like my good Friend Martha would say. all these developments to the north and southern ends of the Baja Ca. peninsula help to slow the growth in the central part which means those of us that come here for adventure can stick around a little longer.

[Edited on 7-19-2005 by Bruce R Leech]

Hey Mulege townfolks

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce R Leech Ha ha ha. another authentic Mexican village. I wonder what is going to happen to all those jobs when the dust clears? I guess they can all go to work as slaves for the Us and Canadian retirees. actually this is a good thing like my good Friend Martha would say. all these developments to the north and southern ends of the Baja Ca. peninsula help to slow the growth in the central part which means those of us that come here for adventure can stick around a little longer. [Edited on 7-19-2005 by Bruce R Leech]

Not too silly at all Bernie.

When I came here about 10 years ago there were quite a few stop signs on Chememal between the circle and Mar De Cortez where ther was a signal light. The signal light then, as now, doesn't control traffic. A new mayor etc about 8 yrs ago and many of the stop signs were removed making it (for me) a easier drive down town.

In the last few months all those stop signs have been replaced with a few more added - so that now almost every block from the circle to the malecon has a stop sign.

They also added 2 new ones between the arches and the circle. One just beyond the Tecate place and one just beyond the Pemex.

Still no traffic lights that control traffic flow - but just wait

Seems like a waste of stop signs. The police force isn't that large.

How large is large, Dave?

They probably have 50-75 here most of the time and when anything special going on, they bring in another 100+ from Mexicali.

I think the stop signs are more to keep traffic speed down and allow access from the side streets than to just give tickets. The two between the arches and the circle have improved the access to Chemal from the Los Arcos area and from the propane distr.

Chememal ??

so that now almost every block from the circle to the malecon has a stop sign.
______________________________________________

Yeah but that would most likely be what they call a California stop. Sort of like going over a topes, right????

[Edited on 7-24-2005 by bajaruby]

Thank you MrBillM.

They most definately frown on the Hollywood stops as we used to call them. Having paid a few tickets for doing them, I know.

Bajalou

Here is my thoughts on this "interesting" subject.

For starters, most "old" timers NEVER are pleased at the growth and changes after they arrive in a area. Unless they are profiting from the growth.

It is a booming place. The impitus for all this started with El Dorado but has spread to the entire area. It is not something I would have asked for, but it's here. And the growth will continue. Remember, El Dorado had the use of a land area larger than the city of Los Angeles CA. Some changes have been made so it's not that large now but it still is enormous. The area west of the highway, used to be Ejido land, has at lease 12,000 lots laid out and room for more.

The Beach Club area, La Ventana del Mar - with the golf course (Which is looking pretty green right now) has lots selling for above $250,000. Believe the lowest price piece of sand in that area is now $105,000. They had the grand opening sale of the condo's a few weeks ago and sold $19,000,000 in one weekend. Building 300 condos, over half sold as of now, I'm told. Later they will have another 200 in another area to sell. These are not timeshares.

In most of the new stuff, they are putting in underground elect. and in some areas (E of hghy) city water. Building a sewage treatment plant.

With all of this - they got the State government and the fed Tourist bureau interested so have the backing of both for continued development.

Most of the campos north of town are in the process of being developed for home sales. Water and elect are available in these areas. Playa de Oro, which opened a few years ago, is almost sold out and has 2 other campos under development now.

Several developments are going in and being sold right now south of town. A Italian(or French) company is putting in a large development just N of Percebu. Another golf course is in the works we are told?? (Heard that before)

The area has long ago ran out of local construction workers and has been bring in workers from Sonora. There are several American companies that oversee construction for absentee owners. Almost every month another "Materials" yard opens with building supplies.

Is all this good for the origional people here? I don't know. I know that there is more work for locals that before - from construction to auto repair to security. (El Dorado has 48 people in it's security force. and I think they do a great job) There are stores and shops opening all the time and more to come. The cost of building materials is sky rocketing. Never cheap to begin with it about doubles in a year - rebar, cement, lumber. This certainly hurts the local mexican who wants to build his house or add to it. Groceries have to come from Mexicali and each store sends it's own truck to get them. The only things delivered to the stores are sodas, bread and similar things. Costco in Mexicali has been a help to the local store owners as they can shop there and stock their shelves with items from there.

The changes that all of this make in the area are great and will be greater. I'm kind of glad I'm not younger to watch it all. I know some of my desert exploring will end so I have do these things I like now before they're gone. But this is the way of the world. The small town I grew up in in Colo has seen much of the same growth. There is no end in sight.

I'm sure some will have different views of what's going on here and that's OK. This is just what I see.

Bajalou

Just a brief El Dorado history.

National Pen Co. formed a partnership with the local Ejido to develop the area. This was about 87 or 88. They sent out millions of sweepstakes winner letters giving the recepient a lot for nothing. Pay dues about $25 a year. When the people came down they found the lot was in the mountains - not accessable, but they could trade that in for credit on a lot in the development area (adjcent to Zoo Road). Of course these lots cost more - in the begining I think maybe $500-800 to upgrade. If they didn't want that, the area known as "The Highlands" about 10 miles west on Zoo Rd. was available for trade with no additional costs. Only catch, that area allowed no permenant structurs. Also you had to haul your own propane and water, etc.

The deal with the Ejido is what gave them such great acerage.

IN 93 or 94, National Pen sold it's intrest to Pat Butler, who had owned/ben involved with? Coast to Coast Campgrounds.

Pat is the one that saw the future (in his mind) and begin the big push to develop. Now they have a plane from San Francisoc each Sat returning on Sun and several busses from both San Diego and Phoenix bringing potential owners down. Often it's hard to get a room in town because El Dorado ties up the rooms for it's people.

A couple years ago, the deal with the Ejido changed and Pat bought a portion of the land outright. This is the thousands of acres that the lots are layed out in.

This being part of Mexicali, adding this area has been a giant undertaking, getting everything surveyed - getting street names - just everything

Good? Bad? It just is.

Bruce, Will bring you a signal light with a left turn arrow in Oct. Just tell me what corner you want it on

Hey thanks I'll start scouting right away!!