Issue Issue Summary Desired Outcome Strategy Options Recommendations/Policies Placemaking and
Downtown Identity
Limited residential development,
vacant and underutilized
properties, and an auto-oriented
built environment combined with
the economic impacts of the
Covid-19 pandemic have
contributed to a downtown
environment which has struggled
to maintain the critical mass of
activity needed to create a strong
sense of place.
Downtown
Bakersfield has a
strong sense of
place, community
identity, and is a
destination for the
region.
1. Downtown Specific Plan: A
downtown-specific plan can
provide a focused framework to
guide development, land use, and
public improvements, ensuring
alignment with community goals
and vision. Such a plan helps
prioritize investments, attract
businesses, and create a vibrant,
cohesive downtown that balances
economic growth, historic
preservation, and public space
activation.
1.A. Prepare a Downtown Specific Plan that
emphasizes cohesive, high-quality, and
pedestrian-oriented development that
enhances the visual appeal of mixed-use
spaces as public and private investment
gradually redevelops a downtown area. The
goals of the plan should include preservation
of historic assets, sustainable development,
and streamlining the approval process to
foster a vibrant, attractive, and functional
urban environment.
1.B. Develop tailored development and
design standards for the Downtown that
provide guidance for the approval of high-
quality development that produces long-term
benefit.
1.C. Use the development of a Downtown
Specific Plan to consolidate
recommendations in existing vision and
guiding documents such as the Downtown
Corridor Enhancement Master Plan, Making
Downtown Bakersfield, and the Downtown
Bakersfield High-Speed Rail Station Area Plan.
1.D. Update the permitting process to
streamline approvals for temporary events in
Downtown Bakersfield to provide more
opportunities for drawing vendors and
residents into the downtown area.
2. Streetscape Improvements:
Streetscape enhancements, such
as buildings fronting sidewalks,
facade improvements, public
lighting, and street trees, create a
more inviting and walkable
environment that attracts visitors
and supports local businesses.
These improvements enhance the
aesthetic appeal and safety of the
area, encourage public activity,
and foster a sense of community
pride, all of which contribute to
2.A. Establish building placement and
frontage standards to shape the public realm
and enhance walkability. Standards could
address pedestrian-oriented entranceways,
building locations, ground-floor activity, and
frontage design to create an engaging
streetscape.
2.B. Revise use regulations to prioritize
pedestrian-friendly activities, such as outdoor
dining and sidewalk seating, to energize the
Downtown area.
2.C. Update parking and loading regulations
to minimize curb cuts and driveway access
Downtown
economic vitality and a vibrant
public realm.
points, ensuring parking and loading areas do
not dominate the streetscape.
2.D. Secure funding for pedestrian-focused
streetscape enhancements, including
outdoor seating, pedestrian-scale lighting,
interactive public art, trash receptacles,
street trees, and shaded areas.
2.E. Seek additional grant opportunities and
design assistance programs to support facade
improvements, signage upgrades, and other
aesthetic enhancements for property and
business owners.
2.F. Leverage local financing tools to fund the
improvement of public spaces and
streetscapes in the downtown core. These
tools can include Enhanced Infrastructure
Financing Districts (EIFD), property-based
business improvement districts (PBID), and
small-scale tax increment financing districts,
and Community Revitalization and
Investment Authorities (CRIAs)
3. Branding, Signage, and
Wayfinding: A cohesive branding,
signage, and wayfinding system
for the downtown area can help
create a distinct identity, improve
navigation, and enhance the
visitor experience. This should
include consistent visual
elements, directional signage, and
informational displays that
highlight key destinations,
promote local businesses, and
foster a sense of place.
3.A. Define Downtown Districts and develop
a wayfinding and signage strategy.
3.B. Work with the Downtown Business
Association to develop a Downtown branding
plan highlighting opportunities and
attractions of Downtown.
3.C. Develop and place gateway signage at
key entrances to downtown and distinct
districts within downtown including the
Chester Avenue corridor and the future High-
Speed Rail Station area.
3.D. Designate an entertainment district that
encourages the growth and concentration of
restaurants, nightlife, and entertainment
uses in Downtown.
4. Historic Preservation and
Adaptive Reuse: Historic
preservation and adaptive reuse
efforts can maintain and enhance
the unique architectural and
cultural heritage of a downtown
4.A. Work with the Historic Preservation
Commission to adopt an Adaptive Reuse or
similar ordinance to encourage the
revitalization and reuse of historic Downtown
structures.
4.B. Encourage Downtown property owners
to seek State and Federal funding sources to
district, providing a tangible
connection to the local history.
These practices can not only
preserve iconic landmarks but
also creatively repurpose them for
modern uses, enhancing the
district's distinct character and
fostering a sense of continuity
and community pride.
preserve and restore historic building
façades.
4.C. Develop an historic neon signage
ordinance that preserves and enhances the
rich history of historic signage in Downtown
Bakersfield and creates a balance between
the needs of businesses, light pollution, and
placemaking.
4.D. Conduct an historical assessment of
Downtown buildings that are eligible for
historical status on the state and/or federal
registry.
4.E. Continue promoting and funding
programs for the rehabilitation of designated
historic properties, leveraging resources like
the Mills Act, federal tax incentives, and
historic easement initiatives in partnership
with preservation organizations.
5. Revitalization: Focus
downtown revitalization efforts
on activating public spaces by
encouraging a mix of uses, events,
and amenities that draw people
and foster vibrant street-level
activity. Strategies should include
hosting community events,
supporting outdoor dining and
retail, incorporating public art,
and enhancing walkability to
create a dynamic environment
that attracts visitors, spurs
development, and drives
economic growth.
5.A. Collaborate with local artists and arts
organizations in support of efforts to
encourage indoor and outdoor art exhibits in
galleries, vacant storefronts, and public
places.
5.B. Facilitate temporary events, such as art
walks and vendor fairs, to attract visitors and
bring vibrancy to the streets of Downtown.
5.C. Support local food access initiatives by
encouraging farmer’s markets and periodic
food truck events in key areas.
5.D. Support the growth of small businesses
through incentives such as reduced fees,
small business loans, and streamlined
permitting processes.
5.E. Adopt Crime Prevention through
Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to
enhance safety by requiring designs that
encourage “eyes on the street”, updating
standards, and ensuring adherence to City
CPTED policies.
6. Public Plazas, Parks, and Urban
Greening: Investing in public
6.A. Expand and formalize parklets as an
allowed and accepted form of providing
urban greening.
plazas, parks, and urban greening
in the downtown area is essential
to support the anticipated
residential growth and enhance
quality of life for future residents.
These spaces provide
opportunities for recreation,
community gathering, and
environmental benefits, creating a
more livable and attractive urban
core that complements increased
housing density.
6.B. Allow and encourage the creation of
pop-up parks, and community gardens on
otherwise vacant lots.
6.C. Identify opportunities to strengthen
connections to the Kern River Parkway Bike
Trail including but not limited a protected
bike lane along 21st Street to Beach Park.
6.D. Adjust zoning standards to mandate the
inclusion of publicly accessible open space
and private open space based on the type,
location, and scale of new development.
2. Balanced Land Use Downtown Bakersfield currently
has a daytime population of
approximately 25,000, largely
made up of government and
healthcare employees, but has
less than 5,000 residents, mostly
in the Westchester
neighborhood. A residential
population base is key to
fostering an economically
prosperous and diverse
Downtown, providing local
businesses with a consistent and
reliable source of customers, as
well as better leveraging
municipal resources like transit,
utilities and public services.
Extensive
Development of
residential and
mixed-use
development
Downtown.
7. High Density Residential and
Mixed-Use Development:
Encouraging high-density
residential and mixed-use
development in the downtown
area can transform it into a
vibrant, 24/7 district by increasing
the nighttime population and
creating a balanced live-work
environment. This approach
supports local businesses,
enhances public safety through
continuous activity, and
maximizes land use efficiency,
fostering a dynamic urban core.
7.A. Pursue development of the remaining
city-owned properties in the Mill Creek
Entertainment District.
7.B. Prioritize capital improvement projects
and private investment that supports the
development of a new mixed-use, creative
office retail, commercial and residential
district that connects the Downtown Core to
the Mill Creek Entertainment District.
7.C. Support the development community of
Bakersfield to facilitate the development of
housing on vacant and underutilized sites in
Downtown.
7.D. Create an inventory of surplus publicly
owned parcels Downtown. Establish a
strategy to hold, merge, sell and/or lease
publicly owned parcels to ensure that future
development meets criteria established in a
future Downtown Specific Plan that is
consistent with the City’s goals for
Downtown.
7.E. Proactively work with property owners of
underutilized parcels to either reinvest in
Downtown or sell their holdings to those who
will.
7.F. As a part of a future Downtown Specific
Plan, develop a package of incentives to
promote the revitalization of the historic
Downtown core for projects that are aligned
with the city’s goals for Downtown. These
incentives could include expediting
permitting, reduction in impact fees, and tax
increment financing among others.
7.G. Transition industrial areas in the vicinity
of Garces Circle and the Highway 178 /
Golden State Avenue interchange to
commercial, residential mixed-use and
resident serving uses.
8. Transit Oriented Development:
Transit-oriented development
(TOD) is an urban planning
strategy that focuses on creating
mixed-use, high-density
communities centered around
public transportation hubs. This
approach aims to reduce reliance
on cars, enhance accessibility, and
promote sustainable living by
integrating residential,
commercial, and recreational
spaces within a walkable distance
from transit stations.
8.A. Prioritize Downtown capital
improvement projects to facilitate strategic
growth downtown, especially in the vicinity
of public transit.
8.B. Allow high-density residential and mixed-
use development in the vicinity of high-
quality public transportation such as the
planned High-Speed Rail Station, Amtrak
Station, and high-frequency bus routes.
8.C. Codify the Making Downtown Bakersfield
High-Speed Rail Station Area Plan, which calls
for large scale residential and mixed-use
development in the downtown near the
planned High-Speed Rail Station. This can be
accomplished through inclusion in a
consolidated Downtown Specific Plan.
8.D. Leverage the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) and Smart Growth
America technical assistance grants to build
equitable, compact, and mixed-use
development around transit stations or along
transit corridors downtown.
8.E. Allow and encourage mixed-use
development throughout Downtown
especially F Street and Chester Avenue to
better connect Downtown with the planned
High-Speed Rail station area.
3: Shared and Active
Transportation
Downtown Bakersfield faces
several transportation
challenges, including long car
A downtown where
residents and visitors
have access to a
9. Pedestrian and Bicycle
Improvements: Investment in
pedestrian and bicycle
9.A. Develop Downtown Pedestrian Design
Standards that prioritize pedestrian and
bicycle mobility on key corridors.
commutes, declining public
transportation ridership, and a
pressing need for multimodal
transit options. The current
infrastructure creates an
uncomfortable environment for
pedestrians, discouraging walking
and cycling. To address these
issues, it's crucial to develop a
comprehensive transit system
that integrates various modes of
transportation, improving
accessibility and making the
downtown area more pedestrian-
friendly and sustainable.
high-quality public
transportation
system and feel
comfortable walking
and biking to their
destination.
infrastructure promotes a
healthier, more active lifestyle by
providing safe, accessible routes
for all street users, which reduces
traffic congestion and car
dependence.
9.B. Preserve and enhance pedestrian
connectivity between the historic core and
the new HSR station site.
9.C. Create pedestrian-friendly crossings at all
intersections through methods like reducing
crossing distances, reducing turn radii, and
improving accessibility infrastructure at all
crossings.
9.D. Utilize the Downtown Bakersfield
Corridor Enhancement Plan as a framework
for guiding capital improvements intended to
improve downtown walk- and bikeability.
Consider incorporating this into a future
Downtown Specific Plan.
9.E. Invest in protected bike lanes along main
corridors to connect destinations throughout
Downtown including the high-speed rail
station, Amtrack station, Civic Center, Mill
Creek Park, Mechanics Bank Arena, the
Convention Center, the Kern River Trail, Old
Town Kern and other districts.
9.F. Utilize street design strategies such as
curb bulbouts and high-visibility crosswalks
to shorten pedestrian crossing distances,
lower vehicle turning speeds, and improve
pedestrian visibility.
9.G. Coordinate with the school district on
opportunities to expand and enhance a safe
routes to school program to facilitate walking
and biking to downtown schools.
10. Parking and Transportation
Demand Management: A
Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) program is a
valuable tool for addressing traffic
congestion and reducing reliance
on single-occupancy vehicles,
especially in high-density areas.
By promoting alternative
commuting options such as
carpooling, public transit, biking,
and walking, TDM programs can
improve mobility, lower
10.A. Establish a Transportation Demand
Management (TDM) program for the
downtown area to reduce traffic congestion,
promote sustainable transportation options,
and improve mobility. The program should
encourage carpooling, public transit use,
biking, and walking, while supporting policies
such as flexible parking requirements and
employer-based incentives for alternative
commuting methods.
10.B. Develop downtown incentive zoning for
the inclusion of shared mobility and other
transportation demand management (TDM)
greenhouse gas emissions, and
support sustainable urban
development.
measures, such as carsharing, bike-sharing,
bicycle parking and/or storage, proximity to
public transportation, shared parking, transit
passes, and other strategies in return for
density bonuses and other incentives.
10.C. Require new developments and
businesses to install bike parking and storage
facilities for residents, visitors, and employee
use.
10.D. Reduce or eliminate parking
requirements for commercial uses
Downtown in addition to the State
elimination of parking requirements within
0.5 miles of a high-quality transit stops.
11. Improved Public
Transportation: Improved public
transit enhances downtown
livability by providing efficient,
reliable alternatives to car travel,
reducing traffic congestion and
pollution. This shift encourages a
more walkable, vibrant urban
environment where residents can
easily access amenities and
services, fostering a healthier and
more sustainable community.
11.A. Implement a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
system on key routes into Downtown to
reduce car trips commuting downtown.
Priority signaling and dedicated lanes at
intersections should be used to improve the
efficiency of the system.
11.B. Create a circulator shuttle service that
provides frequent, free or low-cost
connections between the High-Speed Rail
station and specific locations throughout the
city (such as the University) to downtown
destinations as a supplement to regular GET
and Kern Transit bus service.