Phase III  

Visioning Meeting

Bakersfield Senior Center � March 16, 2000

 

Our Slogan:

        Look at us now!

        Everything is possible!

        The California utopia!

        Mission Possible

        From wagon travel to space travel

 

Our Image

        Fairness

        Open-minded

        Caring

        Understanding

        No racism

        Scenic

        Smart

        Fresh!

        Silicon Valley South

 

Our Reputation

        Friendly

        Multi-cultural

        Parents going back to good strong principles and discipline

 

Business Environment

        More businesses � non-Ag � non-oil

        Encourage 24 degree businesses � factories

        Enviro-friendly/aware

        Showers (after biking)

        Jobs for unemployed not just for friends

        Opportunities

        Jobs with training in more than one field

 

Arts & Culture

        Diverse

        Active

        Intellectually stimulating

        Events for children

        Summer music festivals

 

Heart of the City

        More compassion for the less fortunate

        More resources directed into less developed areas of the city

        God first

        Our children values and self respect

        Higher paying jobs

        No more crimes

        Vocal & outspoken against KKK and other group participation with race and hatred

        Color blind society

        Care for the elderly and mental disabled people

 

Technology

        Computer in every home!

        Video games with less violence

        A lot of garbage off the internet

 

Transportation

        24 hour bus service

        More frequent routes

        Better connections to outlying areas

        Bullet train to LA, Fresno, Sac. S.F.

        No one walks from place to place unless they want the exercise

        Better access to transport sick, elderly, handicap

 

Biggest Changes

        Air we can breathe

        Not dependent on OPEC � lower gas prices

        Better resources for seniors

        Everyone is employed with a job they like and a job that supports their family

 

Break Thrus

        Color barrier broken

        Became the generation of reconciliation and peace

        Stronger numbers in hiring city and county employees

        Bigger health department

        Everyone is looked upon as being someone special

        Females being women; Males being men

 

Looking back I�m most proud of�

        Southeast Bakersfield developments

        All the volunteers throughout the city

        Getting involved

 

 

What�s Our Vision for our Economy over the next 10-20 years?

        Prime jobs include:  data/computer tech; Teachers; day-care providers

        Jobs with flexible hours (7-3) to allow parents to be home with kids after school

        Hourly wage: $8/hour

        Affordable senior housing (i.e. Senior Village Center)

        Reduction in apts./increase in single family dwellings

        Total redevelopment of retail/strip malls

        More multi-generational recreation centers = merging ages together

        A diversified economy less dependent on Ag and Oil

        Elimination of blighted areas, especially the Southeast

        More opportunities (educ. & jobs) for citizens in the urban areas

        No discrimination

 

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

        Alternative energy development (i.e. solar, electric)

        Strong incentives for 1st time businesses & push for home-based businesses

        Mass transit system (i.e. Oakland BART system � also connect outlying areas such as Delano, Shafter, Mojave, etc.)

        More full-service grocery stores including dry cleaners, banks, etc.

        Environmentally friendly industries

        More business opportunities and more jobs in S.East

 

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

        Hub for space center (i.e. Edwards Air Force base, China Lake, etc.) = employment opportunities

        Higher paying jobs

        Business development for the people in SouthEast

        Industry

 

 

Our Vision for Downtown

        Trolley cars

        Locally owned shops:  clothing, books, antiques, cafes, etc.

        Little Grocery stores downtown

        Big park in the center

        Carnival

        Reroute the canal and have Gondola rides

        Recreation Center in 34th street area

        Recreation Center near Brundage Lane

        Baseball Stadium

        Lakeview Area:  One stop shops for jobs; social service; multi-agency sites

        Lakeview Area:  Market Place II

        Major grocery store � Ralphs

        Redevelopment for friendship there! Child care center

        Bike lanes

        A healthy community

        Quality low-income luxury senior housing (between Truxtun & California/Oak & Chester)

        Supermarket between Truxtun and California

        Supermarket on E. California

        Between California & Brundage/ Union & Chester:  commercial development; one-stop center; shopping center; keep from looking unkept; recreation inside gym

        Lakeview area: Developed city plan for economic growth; Business Association; To be seen as a part of the over-all city and not a special project

        Lakeview Area: New development; good image; Street lights; Events; housing improvements

 

 

In our Community�s Future:  What we wanted and we got:

        Unification of diverse cultures/working together

        Commercial development/grocery stores/outlets

        A political structure that is inclusive of all of the citizens

        All geographic areas of the community to feel that they are receiving their fair share of government services

        Homeownership

        Increased property values

        Consideration of the needs of low income senior citizens

        More medical help for school districts

        Money

        Better government leadership

        Respect for one and other

        Lead-safe community

        Uniform development standards between city and county

        Show growth

        Curbside recycling

        No styrofoam

        Charter school\

        City county cooperation for the best interest of Greater Bakersfield

        Activities/programs for youth (mentor programs, job training, volunteerism)

        Community Centers

        Tool lending library for economically distressed areas to help with repairs/facelift to community � Berkely has one.

 

In our Community�s Future: What we didn�t want and didn�t get:

        Crime, homeless people

        Teens with not jobs or direction

        Undeveloped Southeast community

        Uneducated mothers, hopeless fathers, uncaring children, broken homes, families without

        Redlining in the urban areas

        Not to become a rental community

        Child abuse

        No more deadend freeways

        No more movie theaters

        Poor city/county relations

 

 

Common Themes

        Better than minimum wage jobs

        Diversity where we are all on level playing ground

        Grocery store in Southeast

        SE overdue for economic development

        More job training � more competitive skills

        City of compassion

        Solid trade school

        Recreation activities to curb crime � multi-rec centers in neighborhoods

        Affordable education

        Transportation to improve air and to get around

        Reduction in crime/gang activities

        Encourage family values

        More city/county cooperation