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Boulevard Association outlines safety and small-business supports, launches new marketing programs
Summary
The Boulevard Association presented a 2024 accomplishments report and 2025 goals to the Lancaster City Council, describing new safety partnerships, a vandalism repair grant, event microgrants and a paid "Boulevard Passport" marketing program.
Nicole Jones, senior analyst for the Community Development Department and city liaison to the Boulevard Association, told the Lancaster City Council the group would present its 2024 accomplishments, 2025 goals and board changes and that Michael Flores will replace Jones as city liaison.
Art Minassian, president of the Boulevard Association, said the group's 2024 work emphasized safety, outreach and cleanliness and included increased ambassador presence, regular attendance by the sheriff's and Lancaster Police Department representatives at association meetings and a monthly business-watch program coordinated with the police department. "Every single month we've been doing this, we see our numbers, crowds go higher and higher and higher," Minassian said of events that follow the business-watch meetings.
The association told council it will publicize a new City of Lancaster vandalism and repair program that provides businesses money for damage repairs; Minassian characterized the grant amount in his remarks as "$25,100 for City of Lancaster." He also said the association budgeted $12,000 annually to award business microgrants of up to $1,000 for Boulevard events, and described a paid "Boulevard Passport" promotional program that the association estimates could generate roughly $25,000 in annual revenue for the corridor.
Council members asked about safety on the Boulevard. Minassian said collaboration between ambassadors, deputies and police has reduced incidents but that business owners remain concerned about alley safety and late-night shifts. "We need . . . vehicle presence on the Boulevard. We need patrolling on the boulevard. We need ambassadors. We need security on the boulevard," Minassian said. He added that security should avoid an overtly armed appearance so families feel comfortable.
Minassian said the association will continue marketing efforts and partner with local businesses to promote events and that a welcome mixer was scheduled the evening of the meeting.
The presentation also included the new board roster and a request to feature boulevard businesses in the city's Outlook magazine; city staff confirmed they can add that feature.
Ending: Council received the update; no formal vote was required. Staff and association representatives said they would continue monthly business-watch meetings and publicize the vandalism-and-repair program and the Boulevard Passport to local businesses.
