It’s a massive, eerie stretch of land just south of the 10 freeway, a place where time basically stopped in 2015. Most people driving through Pomona or Diamond Bar barely notice the sprawling 302-acre campus tucked away on Pomona Boulevard. They might see a few outdated brick buildings or a lonely water tower. But if you grew up in the Inland Valley, you know the name: Lanterman Developmental Center.
Honestly, it’s hard to wrap your head around the scale of this place. At its absolute peak in the late 1960s, Lanterman (then known as Pacific State Hospital) was essentially its own city. It housed around 3,000 residents and employed 4,000 staff members. It had its own ballpark, a carousel, a camp, and even a credit union. Today, it’s a silent collection of 39 historic buildings, a few hundred acres of agricultural land, and a whole lot of questions about what comes next. Read more on a connected topic: this related article.
From "Inmates" to Residents: A Dark Start
When the facility first opened its doors on May 2, 1927, the world was a very different—and much crueler—place for people with disabilities. Back then, it was called Pacific Colony. The state of California didn't use words like "clients" or "consumers." The first 27 people to arrive were officially documented as "inmates."
The mission? To "train them to usefulness" or, more accurately, to keep them hidden from the rest of society. It’s a heavy piece of history to swallow, but Lanterman was one of several California state-run asylums that operated sterilization centers. By 1946, the facility was bursting at the seams. It was built to hold about 1,500 people, but more than 1,900 were packed inside. More journalism by Al Jazeera explores similar perspectives on the subject.
The name changed several times over the decades—Pacific State Hospital, Pacific Colony and State Narcotics Hospital (yes, it briefly shared space with a drug rehab program)—but the biggest shift came in 1979. That’s when it was renamed the Frank D. Lanterman State Hospital and Developmental Center.
Frank Lanterman was a Republican assemblyman who actually gave a damn. He fought for the civil rights of people with developmental disabilities, leading to the Lanterman Act, which basically said: "Hey, these people deserve to live in their communities, not in massive, isolated institutions." This law eventually became the reason the center had to close.
Why Lanterman Developmental Center Finally Closed
The closure wasn't a sudden event. It was a slow, decade-long wind-down. By the 2000s, the "medical model" of care—locking people in hospitals—was being replaced by community-based living. People with Down syndrome, autism, or cerebral palsy were moving into small group homes where they could actually go to the grocery store or have a job.
But there was a darker side to the closure too. Between 2003 and 2012, reports surfaced of neglect and several deaths within the facility. The state was also facing a massive budget crisis. Maintaining a 300-acre campus for a dwindling population—down to just 393 residents by 2010—just didn't make sense anymore.
The last resident moved out in late 2014, and the facility officially shut down on July 1, 2015. Ownership was handed over to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona).
The Current State of the "Ghost Campus" in 2026
So, what’s happening there right now? If you walk the perimeter, it looks like a movie set. And that’s because, for a while, it was. Cal Poly Pomona has been using the site as a massive filming location. It’s got everything: warehouses, industrial kitchens, a power plant, and even a "rustic camp" area.
But the university has much bigger plans than just being a backdrop for horror movies. They’re calling it the "Live, Learn, Work, Play" project.
The vision is huge:
- Housing: Over 800 units of market-rate and affordable housing for faculty, staff, and the local workforce.
- Innovation District: A 300,000-square-foot space for research, startups, and "flex" offices where students can work alongside industry pros.
- Retail: Cafes, restaurants, and outdoor dining to make it feel like a real neighborhood.
- Preservation: Trying to save those historic buildings without breaking the bank.
Why is it taking so long?
You’ve probably noticed that it’s 2026 and there are still no bulldozers or new apartments. It’s been a bit of a mess, frankly.
The university originally picked a developer team (Edgewood Realty and Greystar) back in 2021. Then the pandemic hit. Then interest rates went through the roof. By early 2025, the whole deal stalled because the developers were worried about the "unknowns." We’re talking about 80-year-old underground pipes and the massive cost of retrofitting historic buildings.
Cal Poly Pomona had to pivot. In late 2025, they issued a new request for a Conceptual Land Use Plan and Utility Assessment. They basically decided they need to do the homework themselves—figure out exactly what needs fixing—before they can get a developer to sign on the dotted line again.
As of right now, the university expects to finish this new round of planning by late spring 2026. If all goes well, they’ll put out another call for a master developer in the summer of 2026.
What You Should Know if You Live Nearby
If you’re a resident of Pomona, Walnut, or Diamond Bar, the Lanterman redevelopment is going to change your commute and your property value. Here are the hard truths:
- Traffic is the big worry. The university claims the site will have its own parking and won't clog up the main campus, but adding 800+ homes and a business district will definitely put more cars on Pomona Boulevard.
- It’s a $1 billion project. This isn't a small-time renovation. It’s a 15-year plan that will completely reshape the southern edge of the city.
- Historical tension. There is a constant tug-of-war between preservationists who want to save the 1920s architecture and developers who say it's too expensive to fix. Expect some buildings to go, while others are "repurposed."
How to Stay Involved
The redevelopment of Lanterman Developmental Center is finally moving into a high-gear planning phase after years of "wait and see."
If you want to have a say in what goes into that 300-acre space—whether it’s more parks, better transit, or specific types of shops—now is the time. Cal Poly Pomona is currently conducting stakeholder surveys as part of their 2026 Land Use Plan. You can check the official CPP Lanterman website for updates on public forums and EIR (Environmental Impact Report) meetings scheduled for later this year.
The era of the "Pacific Colony" is long gone, but the next chapter of this land is literally being written right now.
Actionable Steps for Interested Residents:
- Monitor the RFP: Watch for the summer 2026 Master Developer announcement to see which firm takes over.
- Public Surveys: Participate in the KMA/MBI reports currently being compiled by the university to voice concerns about traffic and density.
- Filming Updates: If you're in the production industry, the site remains open for filming through Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises while the "pre-development" work continues.
