Lancaster, a town in the Antelope Valley north of Los Angeles, underwent significant changes a decade ago, particularly on Lancaster Boulevard, its main commercial artery. The street was transformed by widening the sidewalks, planting numerous trees, and reducing the road from five lanes to two for vehicles. This renovation attracted a surge in visitors and new businesses to the area.
This example serves as a valuable lesson for other regions like the San Fernando Valley, known for its large, arterial streets termed as boulevards. El Cerrito can also draw insights, especially in light of its challenges with San Pablo Avenue. The key takeaway is the importance of enhancing sidewalk life and creating inviting public spaces. Prioritizing placemaking, along with safety, is essential. Incorporating elements like trees and amenities improves the overall urban experience, offering environmental, health, and economic benefits. SF Gate featured this charter city a few days ago:
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/lancaster-california-blvd-project-explained-18540643.php?
Lancaster, CA transformed its downtown in just 8 months by redesigning it’s main street from a mini-highway to a tree-lined boulevard.
For the cost of just $11.5M, the project has generated $273M in economic output since 2010, creating 800 jobs, and nearly doubling tax revenue!
El Cerrito could benefit from successes in thriving communities like Lancaster. Please encourage El Cerrito leadership to seek solutions that not only allow the city to survive, but to also thrive!
Here is how you can help:
– Share this post with other residents.
– Attend the monthly City Council meetings in person.
– Post on Next Door
– Voice your concerns. Tell the City Council to require that all Councilmembers reside in the City of El Cerrito during their time on the Council.
– Council meetings are remote and in-person, but public comment is now limited to in-person attendees.
If you want to contact City Council Members. All their emails are below:
– Councilperson Gabe Quinto gquinto@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
– Councilperson Carolyn Wysinger cywysinger@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
– Councilperson Tessa Rudnick trudnick@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
– Mayor Lisa Motoyama lmotoyama@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
– Councilperson Paul Fadelli pfadelli@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 