Community Input

Results from Phase III Community Forums

Government Review Council (GRC) Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce April 7, 2000

Our Slogan

  • Where you can walk (or bike) to work
  • California "Hot Spot"

Our Image

  • Family arrpeciated
  • Highly educated community (higher education)

Our Reputation

  • Family friendly
  • Business friendly
  • The town Buck built

Business Environment

  • Vibrant S.E. businesses

Heart of the City

  • High tech center
  • Tress
  • Water

Technology

  • City completely wired

Transportation

  • Cross town in 10 minutes
  • High speed rail stop
  • K.R. Expressway
  • Implement major transportation investment strategy

Our Values

  • Family first
  • Respect and dignity for all cultural groups

Biggest Changes

  • City/county cooperation
  • End of turf battles
  • Strong performance of K-12 students
  • High matriculation rates to UC

Break Thrus

  • Clean air miracle

Looking Back I'm Most Proud of…

  • The people
  • Vision 2020

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

  • Professionalized downtown with shopping centers - Noon concerts
  • Safety and security
  • Family environment

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

  • Federal Center & Courthouse
  • Low business taxes
  • Educational strategies for more high tech work

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

  • High paying jobs - high skilled
  • Well educated work force
  • More high tech jobs

Our Vision for Downtown

  • Kern River Parkway thru
  • Kern Spring Water Plant
  • Garces Park along Parkway near museum - Arts Amphitheatre and ice rink in same location
  • Landscaping on North Chester in front of musuem
  • Hwy 99 tree lined corridor
  • Trolley cars through downtown linking Beale Historic District and Oak St.
  • People living downtown
  • Transportation from trolley line at Central Park to area S. of California between Union and Chester where shopping, senior housing, and safe community is noted
  • Lakeview area = built up neighborhoods

In our Community's Future We Wanted and We Got…

  • Friendly local INS & Naturalization
  • Clean air and plenty of clean water
  • Sustainable economic development
  • Lower than average unemployment
  • Freeway by-pass around entire city
  • Our kids schools rank in the top 10% of the state
  • Houseing close to jobs
  • Cheapest housing in state

In our Community's Future we didn't want and we didn't get…

  • No Fresno INS cattlecalls
  • Low wage economic development that benefits corporations outside of Kern Co.
  • Strip zoning
  • No toll roads

Common Themes

  • Economic Growth
  • Education
  • Good Transportation
  • Water Elements
  • Air quality
  • Development of downtown & housing downtown
  • Safe community
  • Strong families
  • Business friendly
  • High tech jobs