Over the last few months, the City of Bakersfield has been creating a vision plan for a historic area of Bakersfield, Old Town Kern. With the community’s help, they are now at the tail end of the revisualization. 

On March 29, the Economic and Community Department of Bakersfield hosted an open house at the Eligon Venue and Social Collective. Community members were able to attend to learn more about the Old Town Kern Vision Plan and provide feedback before the plans are finalized in the upcoming months and presented to the city council. 

While the revisualization has only been active in these last few months, Ward 2 Councilmember,  Andrae Gonzales shared how so many have been planning for decades– Due to the impactful stories of community members and the legacy that Old Town Kern has around town the city is now able to make a more established plan of action.

Old Town Kern is an area of Bakersfield filled with rich history and many stories. The event started with ‘Old Town Kern Stories,’ where seven people shared about the past, present, and future of Old Town Kern. 

From learning about the historic redlining of Kern County, prominent people of Bakersfield to the newest vision of Old Town Kern, the community was able to get a picture of where Old Town Kern used to be, how it looks no, and the possibilities of what’s to come in the future. 

“We didn’t see graffiti growing up; we saw nice buildings,” said  Emprezz Nontzikelelo, community organizer. “It was a joy to walk down Baker Street.”

Nontzikelelo shared that she envisions things such as graffiti removal, revamping boarded-up shops, and fixing the rusted areas. 

After the Old Town Kern stories, attendees were able to view presentation boards that showed the different plans of potential development from Sumner Street to Baker Street in order to provide last-minute feedback and ask questions. 

With a focus on preservation, economical development, culture celebration to embrace the rich diversity, housing opportunities, public and pedestrian safety, and more the vision plan is meant to capture what the community members would like to see. 

“We’re dreaming… Can you see it? I can,” said Nontzikelelo. “Let’s bring back the vibrant city.”

Gonzales encourages the community to continue fighting for the Old Town Kern vision plan at city council meetings in order to make sure that this vision is backed up with action.
If you are interested in learning more about the plan or sharing your thoughts, visit www.bakersfieldcity.us/1170/Old-Town-Kern-Vision-Plan.