LANCASTER – The City of Lancaster garnered accolades in two categories at the recent 2011 American Public Works Association (APWA) Awards Ceremony.
The City received the Outstanding Project of the Year award for “The BLVD” transformation and the Best Use of Technology award for the City of Lancaster Facility Solar Shade Structure Project.
“The BLVD continues to confound the naysayers,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “The ongoing transformation has greatly benefited Lancaster residents and businesses alike, allowing the vision of the revitalized downtown district to become realized.”
In addition to the $10.6 million streetscape improvements, more than 40 new businesses have been added to The BLVD since fall of 2009.
The BLVD has also drawn thousands of spectators to events such as the Streets of Lancaster, Celebrate America, The BooLVD, and A Magical BLVD Christmas.
The City of Lancaster’s Solar Shade Structure Project provides shaded parking and demonstrates the City of Lancaster’s commitment to renewable energy.
“Participating in the APWA annual awards program is a great way to showcase our City’s many accomplishments and recognize the efforts of all our team members,” said Ray Hunt, Capital Engineering Manager for the City of Lancaster. “Although these awards were given to recognize achievements in the Public Works field, these two projects illustrate the innovative and progressive approach our City has taken during the past few years. Both have assisted in creating jobs and revenue in the face of a down economy.”
(Information via press release from the City of Lancaster)
Stinger says
Obviously, pedestrian and traffic safety were not criteria considered in this award.
Eric Moore says
Ambulant chaser Parris is suing Palmdale using lifeguards complaints, AV press reports the story so we can’t tell what the thruth is and the case was filed in the Lancaster courthouse and we have come to know Parris’s influence in there, these kids may have a real case but because Parris is involved the hole thing just smells fishy, I guess Parris wants to share his misery with Palmdale, the City of Lancaster is turning into the City with most lawsuits thanks to thier Mayor, maybe there is an award that THE CITY WITH THE MOST LAWSUITS.
Eric Moore says
I drove thru Lancaster city yesterday and what I notice of the city is that it seems to be falling apart, streets in need of rapair old store fronts, it has a sad vibe for some reason, at least to me, I was very concern with all the police patrol that I saw, I am not a criminal but you worry about getting one of those quota ticket, with all those sherrif present they have to justify their keep.
William says
There always seems to be a lot of traffic on Lancaster’s main thoroughfares but not to any particular destination. It’s as thought the cars are all going elsewhere. I’ve never seen a lot of traffic heading for the ‘blvd’ off 10th Street West or Sierra Highway. It’s just another street.
Jo says
I’ve officially gone from being mildly irritated with the hype about rex’s blvd, to being sick of hearing about it.
But I guess if it’s all he’s got.
“Participating in the APWA annual awards program is a great way to showcase our City’s many accomplishments”!
Kinda sad that after everything that could be said has been said, he’s got to go begging for awards, so he can say it all again.
Yes Rex, it’s Awesome! It’s a miracle of urban planning! Transformational! Revitalized! Visionary! FORTY NEW BUSINESSES! If Chris Matthews could see it, he’d say it sends shivers down his leg! Better then Disneyland! An amazing experience for the WHOLE family!
A whole 1/2 mile of enchantment!
Why, it’s got a bar, and stores, and restaurants, and a small independent theater! Oh yeah, and a small bowling alley. Did I miss anything?
THE EXACT, (And I mean EXACT) SAME THINGS IT HAD FOR DECADES! Right up to the, when was it?, the 70’s/80’s? when they closed the theater and bowling alley. We even had the arts represented at the Ceder Center. Along with community meetings and locally produced shows. So he’s not even original.
He just brought back a few things. And planted trees. In places that make driving down it a lesson in patience.
And I really hope those new businesses do well. I, along with every other tax payer in Lancaster, heavily subsidized them. Amazing what’s on my property tax bills.
William says
Whenever I’ve driven the ‘blvd’ in mid-day, I suspect that all the employees part in the median as the empty restaurants don’t seem to have enough patrons to account for all the cars parked in the middle of the street.
I’ve learned to avoid parking in the median as it’s a pain to back out with a steady stream of low speed cars uninhibited by stop signs on the ‘blvd’. Ventura Blvd. is an easier drive through Sherman Oaks than this tight little alley.
Wait a few years till the foliage is filled out. You think driving it is an ordeal now. Visibilty for cross-traffic and pedestrians will be worse.
Scott Pelka says
So why do you get an award for putting up solar panels….
William says
Lancaster would be OK if one didn’t know that Palmdale was just across the ‘cactus curtain’. Going to the BLVD, then traveling to Palmdale is like going to meet your date and seeing a much better looking step-sister cooking a great dinner in the kitchen. Parris is the father of your date and Leford is the father of the good lookin’ sister. Oops.