The latest project completed highlighting the benefits of water smart landscapes is a large commercial business visible on the north side of Route 78 in San Marcos. The replacement of nonfunctional turf at this commercial property has been transformed into a beautiful display that will brighten with blossoms as the plants mature and grow.

The City of San Marcos and the Vallecitos Water District applied to the San Diego County Water Authority’s Large Landscape Direct Install Assistance Program, a grant-supported pilot program accepting seven large-scale projects countywide. Eligible projects focus on nonfunctional turf replacement at commercial sites located in income-qualifying neighborhoods.

Raymond Allyn Office Furniture Selected For Pilot Program

Raymond Allyn Office Furniture, a family-owned business for more than 30 years, was selected as one of the seven projects supported by this pilot program.

Owner Fred Lassen opened his business in 1979, after serving in the United States Navy, including deployment during the Vietnam War. Lassen recalls being approached by Alicia Yerman, Public Information Representative with the Vallecitos Water District, who asked about participating.

“I had my water on one sunny day in the middle of the day. She approached me and asked if we’d be interested in this program to save water and to have a complete transformation. I was very excited about this, because this is something that I’ve wanted to do for many, many years, and just never got around to it,” said Lassen.

Once the project was approved, Lassen and his daughter, Rita O’Brien, worked with Debby Dunn, Senior Water Resources Specialist for the San Diego County Water Authority, to plan the new landscaping.

“The Water Authority’s Large Landscape Direct Install Program for disadvantaged communities has the goal of educating commercial customers on how beautiful a water-wise landscape can look,” explained Dunn.

All seven projects are at least 10,000 square feet in areas with a great deal of traffic. When the projects are completed, they serve as highly visible examples to other businesses and reisdents about similar makeovers possible on their own property.

New Landscaping Saves Water, Inspires Others

“We put in plants that have extra flower power, with the goal of making it really pop year round, so people going down the freeway can see it and say, ‘Wow, I want to do that at my home or my business,’“ said Dunn, who added that choosing flowering plants also provides habitat for pollinators including birds, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Lassen requested that a pathway be included in the design, something he had wanted to install for many years. There is significant foot traffic but no sidewalk. The DG pathway directs people through the landscaping and to a crossing on a busy three-way corner where it’s safer to cross.

“I think the pathway is a wonderful addition to this project, because as the plants grow, people will walk along this way. They’re going to enjoy the plants and a little peace. Maybe it’s the only peace they get through their whole day. It’s just going to be a really good thing for the community as well.”

The project also includes rainwater drainage using decorative rocks and boulders. Overhead sprinklers were replaced with drip irrigation.

Support for Veteran-Owned Business Serving San Marcos

Rita O’Brien explains the project couldn’t have come along at a better time, as it not only upgrades the landscaping, but also gives a significant boost to a longtime family-run business that has already given back to the community for many years.

“My dad opened this store when I was two years old, and this business is just really important to our family. It’s very sentimental.

“My brother and I really learned our foundational lessons of good work ethics here over the years. Many people from our church have worked here as well, and any time my dad heard of somebody going through a hard time in life, he invited them to come and work for him. He’s mentored many people over the years.

“We were so thrilled to be given this opportunity and give the grant for this facelift of this company,” said O’Brien. She worked with Debby Dunn on the plant choices. “We were really hoping for something very colorful to draw in business, especially since we’re right here on the frontage road of the freeway.”

O’Brien and her father are grateful for the opportunity to modernize the landscaping to comply with California Assembly Bill 1572 governing nonfunctional turf at large commercial properties.

Lassen says he sees benefits for his business’s future inside and out. “It makes you want to just pull over, walk down the pathway and relax a little bit.”  He hopes as the landscaping flourishes and blooms, people will also take a look inside his store.

“This has been an amazing collaboration, and I want to thank from the bottom of my heart, Vallecitos Water District for telling us about this location and for their support to Fred and Rita, the business owners here, for being game to be a part of this,” said Dunn, who also thanked the installers, Eco Tech, for their excellent work and flexibility bringing the project to completion.