Lancaster, California turns a former highway into a leafy urban boulevard

Summary

Lancaster, California, redeveloped nine blocks of West Lancaster Boulevard, part of what was once State Route 14, as a mixed-use, tree-lined streetscape in 2010. The street is now rebranded as the BLVD and is home to 250 public and private enterprises, including banks, tattoo shops, restaurants, museums, a performing arts centre and a public library. The city invested $11.5m (£8.5m) in the project. Three of the road's five central lanes were replaced with tree-lined ramblas. According to the city, within four years of completion the project generated more than $270m in economic output, attracted $130m in investment, created hundreds of jobs and prompted the building or renovation of hundreds of housing units. Residents say it gives the city centre the feel of a gathering space where they can feel part of a community.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   5 Nov 2026, 14:07 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Lancaster, California redeveloped nine tree-lined blocks of the former State Route 14 highway as the BLVD in 2010, a mixed-use streetscape now home to 250 enterprises, and says the city invested $11.5m in the project.