It’s been a little while since I’ve been in Algodones so I took a quick look today to see what’s going on. The places is fixed up a bit: they’ve added some curbs and sidewalks, and while walking there is still a little like a hike in the mountains, the utility holes have been covered.
The shops are doing well, and there’s a distinct upgrade in the quality of goods to be found there. Don’t panic, it’s not Fifth Avenue just yet, but if you look around a bit you can find some handmade stuff of very respectable quality.
The traffic police are on duty keeping the strolling vendors at bay from those waiting in line to get back into the US. The other vendors are just as aggressive [the major source of complaint of some visitors] but their shtick is getting better, I think. Comedy sells better than hopeless deprivation, apparently.
US Border Patrol has lightened up a bit, not hassling older citizens over their pharmacy purchases so much, smiling now and then, and they’ve added a “greeter” with a personality to answer questions and allay fears. Which makes the line move faster.