Lancaster EDC invests in the city’s downtown future and local businesses will benefit too

By Rita Cook
Correspondent
Texas Metro News

LANCASTER – Lancaster City Councilmember District 1, Carol Strain-Burk is happy to see life coming to the city’s Town Square.

The Town Square is in her district, and over the years the area has gone from a minor player in the city of 40,000 to a hangout for locals and visitors looking for food and entertainment without driving into Dallas.

“It is really exciting to see the evolving revitalization of our Historic Town Square,” Strain-Burk said. 

Even more exciting is a recent development spearheaded by the Lancaster Economic Development Corporation’s (LEDC) strategic investments in downtown Lancaster. 

In April 2022, the LEDC was presented with a proposal to acquire two key properties: 133 First Street and 121 N. Henry Street. This was home to Lancaster’s original City Hall. 

At that time in 2022 there was relatively no activity in the Town Square except for local staples; The Lovin’ Oven, John’s Trikes and Bikes, and Yummy Puddin’. 

But the proposal was a viable one so the LEDC purchased the properties below appraised value using economic development funds and the makings of a vibrant future Lancaster downtown was born. 

As progression continued LEDC and the Lancaster City Council pushed forward considering and approving each phase of the project through council resolutions. Each resolution was a piece of the puzzle for the future as the positive synergy in the downtown square was created.

The next phase of the collaboration now falls on Lancaster’s upcoming Business Development Center, which will serve as the heart of the area.

“The reimagined Lancaster Annex will house the Lancaster Development Center which includes the City’s Development Services and Economic Development Teams,” Strain-Burk explained. 

The project will also include noticeable infrastructure upgrades, including asbestos abatement and modern electrical and plumbing systems. 

In a recent release regarding the LEDC development it was explained “This project is about more than office space, it is about credibility, capacity, and competition. As cities across the country vie for transformative development, Lancaster is staking its claim with a state-of-the-art facility designed to host site selectors, international delegations, and future partners.”

In addition to the Lancaster Business Development Center there are plans to relocate the City’s Code Division and Engineering team from 700 E. Main Street to City Hall. 

This strategic move will open the entire Main Street facility to serve the growing needs of the community regarding the Lancaster Animal Shelter and allowing for a much needed expansion.

Prior to this latest synergy boost downtown, in 2023, a private investor based in Oak Cliff acquired properties in the downtown area and brought in the Oak Cliff favorite La Calle Doce as the square’s new anchor restaurant. 

La Calle Dolce opened in January 2023 and General Manager Natalia Suarez said this new LEDC move is a good one.

“I think that the more businesses come to the Lancaster square the more traffic comes our way which equals more business flow for all of us,” Suarez said.

Also, with LEDC support, new businesses like Kyoto Brew, Just Juice, Curio, HUGS BBQ, Boba Licious, and Gelu Italian Ice also joined the downtown mix. 

Gelu Italian Ice owner Norma Hernandez said “I think it is a great opportunity for the businesses and especially the new businesses to have this addition to the area. I have seen a lot of growth this year with the downtown square and I think the fact the city is loosening up a little bit with regulations for having events is good too. Every other month it helps bring people in and it has made a huge difference while exposing us.” 

Hernandez said when Gelu originally opened the Town Square was a ghost town, “absolutely nobody there, but when we began having the events we saw a dramatic difference and people were coming back and showing their support. People are looking for places to hang out with their families and they don’t have to drive all the way to Bishop Arts, so this is like a mini-bishop arts right now.”

When these most recent new developments are complete the city hopes the Center will bring developers, entrepreneurs, and global investors together alongside the local businesses to offer continued constructive collaboration overall. 

The Historic Lancaster Theater is also undergoing a renovation of its own in the Town Square that will soon offer live entertainment, thus adding yet another component to the Town Square’s diverse offerings.

Construction is expected to be complete on the Lancaster Business Development Center by August. “This only continues to build a stronger synergy supporting the Town Square, by keeping citizens, developers, tourists, and others coming to do business in Lancaster,” Strain-Burk concluded.

Rita Cook is a world traveler and writer/editor who specializes in writing on travel, auto, crime and politics. A correspondent for Texas Metro News, she has published 11 books and has also produced low-budget films.