ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: February 12, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Agreements TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jennifer M. Byers, Economic & Community Development Director DATE: January 30, 2025
SUBJECT: EOA Grant Agreement with Animal Solutions ($77,900) for façade improvements, including the costs associated with exterior painting, stone masonry upgrades, and related work (Ward 2).
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the grant agreement.
BACKGROUND:
Adopted in 2016, the City of Bakersfield’s Economic Opportunity Area Plan is a locally initiated program that uses public tax dollars to promote economic growth within specific geographic areas of Bakersfield.
Implementation of the Plan is anticipated to facilitate increased private sector investment that will in turn create more tax revenue, promote businesses growth, and generate new jobs.
The Economic Opportunity Area (EOA) Incentive Program offers incentives to encourage business growth and redevelopment with financial assistance, such as grants and development assistance, for a business or non-profit within an EOA or planning to open or expand within an EOA. The EOA Incentive Program was created to encourage the redevelopment of vacant property or buildings with grants for site and building improvements, business expansion or moving costs, development fees, or costs of required public improvement projects.
The EOA Incentive Program meets City Council goals 1, 3, and 4 supporting economic opportunity for all, creating reliable infrastructure, and improving community character and quality of life. It makes targeted investments and provides incentives in strategic areas to increase economic activity and neighborhood revitalization.
The City has received an application from Animal Solutions for their property at 601 Niles Street within the Old Town Kern EOA. This nonprofit is requesting EOA funding for façade improvements to cover the costs associated with exterior painting, stone masonry upgrades, and related work which are eligible costs within the EOA Program Guidelines. These proposed façade improvements also support a local nonprofit who envisions transforming a historic 100-year-old property into a memorable destination space for animal education as well as community events. Without the financial support of the EOA Incentive Program, these facade improvements may not be financially possible. The proposed improvements create a visual transformation for a prominent corner lot in the Niles/Monterey Corridor and invite additional investment in the area.
The proposed project enhances aesthetics, development, and investment in the community as well as supports a local nonprofit that provides essential services for the community. The project is harmonious with the surrounding properties and uses, and offers goods and services deemed desirable and appropriate within the Old Town Kern EOA. Therefore, staff recommends approval of the grant agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Economic Opportunity Area projects were budgeted in the fiscal year 24-25 PSVS operating budget.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Community Character & Quality of Life
ATTACHMENTS:
Agreement