Phase III

Visioning Meeting

The Bakersfield Californian � March 29, 2000

 

Our Slogan:

        A better place to live

        Getting better all the time

 

Our Image:

        New high tech center of California

        Attractive on and off ramps to freeway system

        Demetris Southerd (the Greek)

        Strong supporter of the Education System

        Our students have highest GPA in state

 

Our Reputation:

        Shady, beautiful, not dusty

        Not the butt of jokes

        Broad based economy-recession proof

        A Great Place to Visit..the Greatest Place to Live!

 

Civic Culture:

        Strong planning committee

        City and county governments work together

 

Business Environment:

        National companies with employment presence

        All businesses are on the leading edge of technology

        Industrial park land is developed & occupied

        Light manufacturing

        Software development

 

Arts & Culture:

        More activities that Bakersfield is known for

        Movie theater that shows independent films

        Affordable family entertainment

        Public art

        Downtown activities (more like 1st Night activity)

 

Heart of the City:

        Large park surrounded by modern buildings, restaurants, and cultural centers

        Cool new baseball stadium

        Downtown high rise condo�s

        Trees, fountains, river emphasis, green, shade

        Art! To buildings � Centers � more

        Water theme Park � more for kids/families

        Quality redevelopment to replace blighted areas

 

Technology:

        Hub for software development & manufacturing

        Strong division at Cal State Bakersfield

 

Transportation:

        Vastly improved traffic light system

        More telecommuting � less congestion

        Bikes!

        Speed rail

 

Our Values:

        Sense of community

        Hardworking workforce

        Cleaner air � trees, water, awnings, lamppost � i.e.: aesthetics, caring for the earth!

 

Biggest Changes:

        It actually looks nice when you drive down 99

        Feel safe strolling downtown after dark

 

Break Thrus

        Fuel cells � no gas, each house business has own generating plant.

        Longevity � longer productivity

        Ability to improve air quality developed

        People are aware that they can make a difference � it�s up to them

 

Looking back I�m most proud of�

        We�ve become a diverse, integrated community

        We learned tolerance

        We planted 1,798,300 trees to become a shady community

        We preserved our identity as a city of hard working people

 

 

Our Vision for our Economy over the next 10-20 years

        More diversity

        Higher median incomes

        Lower unemployment rates

        Strong & visible

        Ethnic presence � i.e.: Hispanic culture integrated and celebrated

 

What kind of Economic Development Initiatives do we want to create?

        Create incentives to attract supplier companies to tech. Backbone of California

        Ensure Airport expansion happens

 

What kind of Jobs/Work do we want to attract here over the next 10-20 years?

        High technology jobs

        Higher paying

        Manufacturing/more stable blue collar employment opportunities

        More artistic jobs

        Work at home

        Flex-time jobs � walking to work opportunities

 

 

Our Vision for Downtown:

        Speed rail from Truxtun depot to connect with N/S speed rail along 99

        Cool landscape concepts at all exits of 99 

        Really attractive people�s (visitor�s) first impression @ California & 99

        Trees all along Hwy 58

        Union Ave. � clean it up!  It�s so visible � better housing, trees, attractive mobiles, clean up trash & litter!

        Golf course downtown N. of 24th St.

        Water park, wave pool, water slides at N end of town

        Entertainment � parks near Museum

        Manufacturing center near Golden State Hwy

        A Riverwalk thing with a real river (So. Fork of Kern) instead of canal.  Parks with paths etc. alongside; Hi Tech Building, Veteran building, shops and restaurants all along with art on the buildings/  Museum and TREES

        Downtown #2 North of Union Ave. between Truxtun and Hwy 178

        Tear down the old JLJ apartments alongside 178

        Water in mad made lake  - East Bakersfield

        Redevelop Lakeview � tear down projects and build new housing

 

 

In our Community�s Future We Wanted and We Got:

        A real Kern River � has water, wildlife and is buffered by natural boundaries and flows

        Efficient roadways, freeway system with well-engineered traffic signals

        Expanded cultural offerings

        An airport to accommodate high tech companies/growth

        Strong economy with job opportunities for professional, technical and labor

        A zoo that compliments the community

        A bullet t5ain to San Francisco and Vegas and L.A.

        Vital downtown with upscale residences

        Aggressive enforcement of air quality laws and regs

        High paying clean industry

        Safer neighborhoods

        Places to relax in � walk, stroll, enjoy outdoors

        Old Town �refurbish & Museum redeveloped

        Upgraded public transportation, lower auto use

        Downtown street life � caf�s shade, pedestrian walkways

        Access to health care for all

        Wide bike lanes � a bike friendly community

        Public art/statues

        Access to river

        Tree-lined streets everywhere

 

What we Didn�t Want and Didn�t Get:

        Higher unemployment rates

        Dirtier air

        More potholes and bad roads at rail crossings

        No more asphalt patch

        No more prisons!

        No more homeless!

        Trash, litter

        Crime

        Gangs

        County islands within Metro Bakersfield

        To lose our city�s unique identity

        Demetris Southerd ( The Greek)

 

 

Common Themes:

        Clean up and beautify

        More activity to city

        Upgrade jobs

        Real river

        More trees

        Higher paying jobs

        Better transportation

        Acceptance � embracing diversity

        Downtown focus

        Better education

        Diversified economy