According to the California Redevelopment Association, the city of Lancaster, California, spent $11.5 million to transform its ugly five-lane boulevard into “America's Best Main Street,” adding $280 million to the local economy.
The nine-block street was once nothing more than a paved street lined with concrete buildings in the center of the Southern California city.
In the late 2000s, Lancaster struggled with a housing shortage, an unemployment rate twice the national average, and vacant stores.
But now, after a major eight-month renovation in 2010, the boulevard is lined with trees and booming local businesses.
At the beginning of the east end of Main Street, a decommissioned F-4 Phantom supersonic jet sits on a concrete base, a tribute to the Mojave Desert's aerospace heritage.
After a major renovation, the BLVD is lined with trees and booming local businesses
After the renovation, more than 40 new shops appeared along the boulevard
From there, the street, renamed “BLVD,” splits into two lanes with slow traffic under palm trees and past pedestrian-friendly sidewalks.
The central “Rambla,” inspired by Barcelona’s Esplanade, helped prioritize pedestrians, which in turn increased footfall for local businesses.
“There used to be a lot of free spaces and parking spaces on our boulevard. Rundown buildings, what have you got? “So people were driving by at 60 miles per hour,” Shirley Griffiths, owner of Panache Salon, told SF Gate.
“It slowed everyone down,” she explained.
In fact, after the renovation, more than 40 new shops appeared along the boulevard.
Among them are an underground bowling lounge, a tattoo parlor and a Mediterranean cafe.
“So now they park once, get out, walk the streets and see what else is available to them other than just driving by as a thoroughfare.”
According to SF Gate, the street is trash-free thanks to the street team hired by the city.
Thanks to the street team hired by the city, the street is reportedly trash-free
The BLVD increased city tax revenue and property values within two years of completion
The team begins cleaning at 9 a.m. every weekday and continues cleaning until 2:30 p.m.
“Lancaster BLVD changed the way we think about boulevards.” It also changed the way we think about parking,” Andrew Von Maur, a professor of architecture at Andrews University, told SF Gate .
The BLVD also borders a new city park, American Heroes Park, constructed as part of the renovation, as well as the Museum of Art and History, which has become a key cultural center for the region.
“It wasn’t much; “I just came here for my dentist,” Emily Hernandez told SF Gate about the street before the renovation.
“But now it's become something that's quite fun.” I like it a lot. It is family oriented and safer. And people drive slower.'
According to the renovation's lead architects, Moule & Polyzoides Architects, the BLVD increased city tax revenue and property values within two years of completion.
Despite the boulevard's benefits, there are critics who claim its beautification is an excuse for rising crime in the city.
Reported violent crimes have risen steadily in Lancaster over the past decade, up to 1,453 cases in 2022 – nearly double the number in 2012, according to federal crime data.
“It’s a ghost town at night,” John Paul Gordon, a bank security guard on BLVD, told the SF Gate.
“People come here at night and it's pretty dangerous.” “You'll get robbed at the ATM.”
“There are shootings, stabbings and homeless people jumping in front of cars,” Destiny Metter, who was born and raised in Lancaster, told SF Gate.
“The BLVD is more for homeless people,” added Carole Moore, who has lived locally since 2000.
“They took over. They sleep on benches and charge their phones for free.”