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State of the Vision – January 2002
Downtown: The Heart of the CityStrategy # 1 - Encourage mixed use development that includes a diverse mixture of housing retail and commercial uses.
Progress noted, efforts are ongoing.
Action Item 1: The current city zoning for the downtown area permits mixed uses such as residential, educational, or commercial. A recently announced example of a planned mixed-use project is the residential use on the top floors of the J.C. Penney commercial building by Cal State Bakersfield. In addition to the residential area there will be educational and retail uses of this building.
Action Items 2, 3, 4: City of Bakersfield Economic Development Department is working to attract new development in the downtown area. Meetings were held with downtown property owners to provide an update of the Charrette process.
Action Item 5: Enhancements have been made to the area that has become the Downtown “Arts District,” utilizing landscape, lighting, surface materials, etc.
Action Item 6: No progress reported.
**Strategy # 2 – Encourage the Charrette process to develop design concepts for the Downtown area and get it translated along with this Vision into an official downtown plan.
Significant progress noted, Charrette accomplished, efforts are ongoing.
Action Items 1, 2: The Downtown Charrette was conducted in May and the Vision 2020 policies are being incorporated into the General Plan update. A Charrette implementation plan has been drafted and progress is being made towards several concepts presented in the Charrette such as the amending of the General Plan to provide for the expansion of Central Park and efforts to enhance the Wall Street Alley.
Action Item 3: The Downtown Vision Force will continue to monitor implementation of the plan.
Strategy # 3 – Develop parks of various sizes to provide green space for walking, relaxing/sitting, jogging, biking, and picnicking. Provide a pedestrian friendly atmosphere by linking the parks by historic trolleys, a river walk, or water taxis on a canal system.
Progress noted, efforts are ongoing.
Action Items 1, 2: The Downtown Charrette was conducted in May and the Vision 2020 policies are being incorporated into the General Plan update. The Charrette produced several design ideas and identified opportunities for the use of Parks, green space and water elements throughout the downtown. These ideas will be further developed as specific improvement projects are pursued. City staff is currently working with property owners on 19th Street to expand the streetscape in that area. Per the Charrette, and expansion of Central Park is on the priority list.
Strategy # 4 – Provide free and accessible parking to include strategically placed large parking structures, open 24 hours to provide overlapping uses; island parking; park & ride perimeter parking; as well as more creative ways to integrate parking downtown.
Progress noted, efforts are ongoing.
Action Items 1, 5: City staff is evaluating parking needs in the downtown and opportunities for parking improvements. The existing City owned parking structure is currently underutilized. Staff is working with the parking structure operator to enhance the marketing of this resource to improve parking availability in the downtown. An analysis of establishing a parking authority has been completed.
Action Items 2, 3, 4, 6-10: No actions noted.
Strategy # 5 – Expand the downtown street light design and streetscape design, and incorporate benches, garbage cans, tables and chairs.
Progress noted, efforts are ongoing.
Action Items 1, 2, 3: City staff has applied for funds to expand the downtown streetscape. Meetings have taken place with property owners on Wall Street and 19th Street to incorporate benches, garbage cans, tables and chairs in the alley. Additional expansion will be pursued as funding becomes available.
Strategy # 6 – Develop a River Street to become a center for community activities and outdoor enjoyment.
Progress noted, efforts are ongoing.
Action Items 1 3: The Charrette produced several design ideas and identified opportunities for the use of water elements throughout the downtown. Specifically the use of water elements such as a diverted canal or lake were proposed. These ideas will be further developed as specific improvement projects are pursued.
Action Items 2, 4: No action noted.
Strategy # 7 – Encourage the use of various water elements – fountains, pools, and ponds to enhance the parks, town squares, etc. Ensure the “system” is in place.
No progress noted.
Action Items 1, 2: No progress noted. The Charrette produced several design ideas and identified opportunities for the use of water elements throughout the downtown. Specifically the enhancement and expansion of Central Park to include additional water elements such as a small lake and creative use of existing canal resources was proposed. These ideas will be further developed as specific improvement projects are pursued.
Strategy # 8 – Encourage private courtyards and landscaped spaces that provide opportunities for formal and informal leisure use and activities (e.g. the alley/courtyard at the Superintendent of Schools Office)
Progress noted, efforts are ongoing.
Action Items 1, 2: The Charrette produced a creative enhancement for the Wall Street Alley on both sides of Chester. The City is already in the design stages, and a portion of the necessary funding has been set aside.
Strategy # 9 – Encourage the use of trees and flowers, lighting, street furniture, art signage, and flags. Use surface material that enriches the paving options on our streets, sidewalks, and curbing.
Progress noted, efforts are ongoing.
Action Item 1: No actions noted. The Charrette produced several design ideas and identified opportunities for the use of trees flowers, landscaping, street furniture, banners, etc. throughout the downtown. These will be further developed as specific improvement projects are pursued. Preliminary design plans have been developed to incorporate these design elements for Wall Street Alley, 19th Street between H and Eye streets, the intersection of 19th and Eye, and Eye St. from 18th to 19th streets.
Strategy # 10 – Recognize historic buildings, sites and neighborhoods.
Progress noted, efforts are ongoing.
Action items 1 3: The City Historic Preservation Commission promotes the Bakersfield Register of Historic Places designation program. Informational packages have been sent to property owners of historic structures for potential placement on the local register.
Action item 2: No actions noted.
Strategy # 11 – Develop permanent historic displays that depict the history of our community.
Progress noted, efforts are ongoing.
Action Item 1: Three kiosks, which provide a history of the City, are located downtown.
Strategy # 12 – Develop historic walking and trolley tours.
Progress noted, efforts are ongoing.
Action items 1,2: The Historical Preservation Commission has three downtown walking tours and one Old Town Kern walking tour available. The Commission provides docents to conduct these tours.
