Lancaster adopts public art master plan, outlines $18 million project list and rollout

Lancaster City Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a Public Art Master Plan that the city and consultant team described as a “living, breathing” roadmap for expanding art across the city.

The plan lays out a vision that “public art in Lancaster draws inspiration from our diverse community, welcomes visitors and fosters a safe, enjoyable atmosphere that celebrates what makes our city unique,” the consultants said. It organizes actions into short (1–3 years), medium (3–5 years) and long (5+ years) implementation phases, identifies priority sites and describes funding and selection procedures.

The consulting firm RRM Design Group, represented by Katya Dillman and Jamie Williams, told council the plan was built from broad community outreach including an online questionnaire and a summer block party that produced more than 2,300 engagement responses and 350 in‑person participants. Dillman said the plan “integrates all the existing policies into one document, and it establishes processes for public art,” while Williams highlighted the outreach results and said murals, sculptures and interactive lighting were the top community priorities.

City staff said the plan includes near‑term actions the city will fast‑track. Those steps include a call for artists, creation of an adopt‑a‑box utility‑box mural program and an adopt‑a‑wall mural program. Staff said an initial prioritized project list shared with council totals about $18 million and that one of the first installations will be a mural at Whit Carter Park timed for Earth Day in April.

Council members and the public pressed staff and consultants about speed, priorities and public involvement. A council member asked whether the plan had a “map showing everything that's going up in the next two years.” A consultant replied, “We can provide that to you, yes. We're working on that.” City staff said dates for initial pieces would be added to the project schedule.

Residents gave mixed reactions during public comment. One resident, Laura Downey, said the art proposals “feel weird” and asked whether some installations could be “just nice” and more reflective of longtime residents’ tastes; another commenter urged stronger neighborhood beautification and maintenance before a major art rollout. Other speakers supported the plan’s community focus and noted opportunities for donations, fundraising and public engagement.

City staff said the plan also defines administrative procedures for donated or loaned art, selection and maintenance protocols, and clarifies that the city manager or the manager’s designee will serve as the approver in the selection process working collaboratively with the Lancaster Museum and Public Art Foundation.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the plan; staff said they will return with timeline details, project maps and funding steps. The plan identifies top short‑term locations such as Whit Carter Park (mural), the Boulevard (crosswalk mural), Sierra Highway and Avenue L, the East Side Activity Center soccer complex, City Hall Plaza (iconic piece), Avenue K on‑/off‑ramp and Avenue M overpass, among others.

Implementation details in the plan include creating a developer fee, expanding the public art fund, pursuing grants at local/state/national levels, and exploring private partnerships to ensure financial sustainability.

Councilmembers and staff said they will brief the community on how to propose donated pieces and how the city will evaluate gifts. The consultants and staff also said they will publish a prioritization matrix and a map of initial projects for council and public review.