The Future of Lanterman

Frequently Asked Questions

The State of California transferred jurisdiction of the approximately 300-acre Lanterman property from the Department of Developmental Services to the University in July 2015. The university did not pay to acquire Lanterman, but the university has the responsibility to maintain the property until a decision is made regarding the future of the site.  No state funds are to be appropriated for the transfer, operation, maintenance, or development of the property.

The vision for the Lanterman property is that it becomes a live, learn, work, play destination that will support the university’s educational mission and values that will also be of significant benefit of the surrounding communities. The public will have significant opportunity to weigh in on development that ultimately takes place on the Lanterman site.

It costs approximately $1.9 million annually to secure and maintain the property and its infrastructure, most of which was constructed between the 1920s and 1960s. The primary cost factors are security and general maintenance and repairs.  The costs are mitigated by income received from film companies that pay to use the property and from support from the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation.

The size, scope and complexity of the Lanterman project require the assistance of a highly qualified team of professionals representing a variety of disciplines connected to land use and development, such as: engineering, architecture and design, real estate development, city planning, economic analysis, historic preservation, and financing. To ensure decisions are fully informed by the best and most comprehensive information, it is necessary for the university to engage highly qualified consultants to provide detailed studies, analyses, and recommendations.

When the State of California transferred jurisdiction of the Lanterman property from the Department of Developmental Services to the University in July 2015, it was with the intention that no state funds would be appropriated for the transfer, operation, maintenance, or development of the property. Therefore, revenue is needed to offset the operation and maintenance of the site and some of the costs of pre-development studies and site development. Upon development, any excess revenue would provide resources to support the university’s academic mission.

Cal Poly Pomona welcomes input from its constituents, including the general public. The university will work with the master developer on an outreach strategy to engage a broad coalition of stakeholders. Constituents internal and external to the university, as well as interested parties will be given opportunities to provide input.

Determining which, if any, buildings will be torn down would depend upon the report of the pre-development consultant, agreements with the State Historical Preservation Officer and the specific plans for development.

The university is considering a wide range of uses that support the educational mission and values, benefit the surrounding communities and the region, and produce a positive cash flow.  The Urban Land Institute’s Los Angeles District Council and Orange County/Inland Empire District Council prepared a preliminary study of the Lanterman property and proffered findings and recommendations.

Cal Poly Pomona does not expect the development of Lanterman to significantly impact parking and traffic around the main campus.  Moreover, impacts on parking and traffic around the campus will be determined as required by California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as decisions about the development of the property are made.  Negative impacts would be mitigated as required by CEQA.

While it is premature to answer such questions at this time, the university desires to have a strong connection between the main campus and Lanterman.  Related transportation, parking and traffic issues would be addressed during development of the property as the campus complies with CEQA requirements.

Portions of the property may be considered for academic buildings. However, because academic buildings do not usually generate funds sufficient to cover construction costs, it will be necessary to secure the funding for such buildings from the state or through public-private partnerships. State funding for academic buildings in the CSU is very limited at this time.  Public-private partnerships will be explored as plans for Lanterman’s development take shape.