Community Input

Results from Phase III Community Forums

Volunteer Facilitator Training - March 14, 2000

Our Slogan

  • In the Heart of it all
  • Bakerfield-the best kept secret

Our Image

  • Clean & Safe
  • Vacation "Riverwalk"
  • Educated
  • Inclusive
  • Great Schools "Clovis type"

Our Reputation

  • Proactive
  • Inclusive
  • Business friendly
  • Fun!

Business Environment

  • Lots of opportunity/choices
  • "New Silicon Valley"
  • Strong Ag base - export, technology, efficiency

Arts & Culture

  • Performing Arts Center/Concert Hall
  • Encourage art/music participation for all
  • Art museum that rivals L.A.
  • "Cowboy" culture (music, peotry, CA heritage)

Heart of the City

  • Multiple use-living safe-all ages
  • Entertainment
  • Fun "Riverwalk" atmosphere
  • Everyone wants to go there
  • Theatres
  • "Nordstroms".com
  • Chewy's
  • Cheescake Factory
  • Gladstones

Technology

  • Leading edge high tech

Transportation

  • Transportation Hub (shipping
  • Hi-speed rail between San Diego & Sacramento

Our Values

  • Tolerance
  • Family Centered
  • Peaceful and free of crime

Biggest Change

  • Managed growth to Ag land, but to the East
  • Educational success is a priority for whole community
  • Water in the river and riverside parks for miles
  • Much greener
  • Water developments

Break Thrus

  • Safe
  • Public transportation everyone uses
  • Affordable health care-holistic prevention
  • Clean air
  • Positive image as a city to live in
  • College going rte @ 50%

What's Our Vision for our economy over the Next 10-20 years?

  • Good opportunities for youth
  • Transportation for all
  • Affordable/accessible/quality child care
  • Low unemployment rate
  • Diverse
  • Family friendly businesses
  • Strong political Influence in all factors…elected officials

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

  • Tax breaks/cheap land in "depressed" area
  • Industries/entrepreneurs taking advantage of affordable housing
  • Technoloby/engineering training
  • E-commerce incubator
  • Ag export development
  • Telecommuting support center(s)

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

  • Technology oriented
  • Transportation (trucking, train, shipping, warehousing, etc.)
  • Various professionals working from home offices
  • Entertainment technology - animation, etc.
  • Stable
  • Careers

Our Vision for Downtown

  • Wonderful well-known antique district (H street)
  • Fountains
  • Historic value-Museum, Native American; Interactive; Oil-Agriculture
  • Affordable Apartments & Condos
  • Multi-level mall - incl. Nordstroms
  • Grocery Store
  • Restaurants
  • Protected Historic District
  • Middle School
  • Jazz Club
  • Youth Center next to Senior Center
  • Lots & lots of fountains
  • High density living with wonderful retail, restaurants, etc.
  • More Parks
  • Trees along Union Avenue
  • Park between California and Brundage
  • New homes & parks between Lakeview and Union
  • Multicultural center same as above
  • Shopping Von's
  • Lots of trees and water
  • Easy no fee parking downtown
  • Bike trails
  • Synchronized lights to minimize air pollution

In our Community's Future We Wanted and We Got

  • Univ. of California-Bakersfield
  • Top scores in K-12 grades
  • Mountain views all year
  • Lead safe community
  • Quick drive from SW to NE and no one loses their home
  • Low dropout rate
  • Lots of Trees!
  • No teen pregnancy - healthy babies
  • Community amenities
  • Opportunities for all to succeed
  • Convenient, cheap air and rail service
  • Homes, parks & shops in SE
  • Variety of entertainment opportunities

In our Community's Future We Didn't Want and Didn't Get

  • Freeways to no-where
  • Higher housing prices
  • Gangs
  • Bigots/racist/intolerance
  • Leap Frog development - uncontrolled growth
  • Continued Blight!
  • Dairies
  • Poor image