Pico Rivera’s city council ratified the city’s Historic Whittier Boulevard Vision Plan Tuesday, Nov. 12, and approved an amendment to its accompanying multimodal plan.

The move takes the city one step closer to a far-reaching design for Whittier Boulevard, boosting revitalization throughout the community. At the same meeting, city leaders also honored 11 artists who created artwork for 18 city-owned utility boxes across Pico Rivera.

“This milestone marks an important step toward revitalizing one of our city’s most iconic and historically rich corridors,” said Pico Rivera Mayor Andrew Lara. “Whittier Boulevard has long been the heart of our community, a vibrant hub where history, culture and commerce meet.”

Lara said the historic Whittier Boulevard Vision Plan reflects the city’s commitment to preserving the boulevard’s heritage while embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation.

He noted that it is the result of input from residents, business owners and stakeholders, shaping a “shared vision for the future.”

That vision includes renewed pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, improved public spaces while encouraging a more connected and economically successful city, Lara said.

The municipal council adopted the first part of the project, the multimodal plane, in April. The design includes improved pedestrian, bicycle and transit access. There are designs for bike lanes, sidewalk expansion, micro-parks, space for outdoor seating and a facade program on the north side.

Javier Hernandez, director of innovation and communications, said the vision is to create a destination in Pico Rivera, much like Downtown Downey, Old Town Monrovia and Uptown Whittier.

The plans, three years under review, are designed to exceed state goals for complete streets, reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as vehicle miles traveled and increase safety for vulnerable road users, according to City Manager Steve Carmona.

“This vision plan is intended to be a model plan to inform the transformation of Whittier Boulevard into a vibrant, mixed-use, walkable main street in the area,” Carmona wrote in a staff report.

On Tuesday, the council approved a small change to the multimodal plan’s schedule that adds a “preferred option” for the Pio Pico Park Bikeway Connector Project.

Lara said the plans scratch the surface of upcoming projects that include proposals for a transit corridor running through the city that could be completed in time for the 2028 Olympics.

The Whittier Boulevard plans are detailed on the project’s website at