BAKERSFIELD, Calif — A zoning change was approved during Wednesday night's Bakersfield City Council meeting will pave the way for the city to develop land the city has owned for more than 10 years.

The new developments would be on Kentucky and Baker Streets. The developers are partnering with the housing authority as well as the Cesar Chavez Foundation are planning for mixed use buildings. It would include both affordable housing units as well as retail space.
Councilman Andrae Gonzalez, who represents the areas is excited to continue to improve east Bakersfield

"It's only the first step. We're looking at lots of different things that we could do for Old Town Kern to continue the revitalization effort," said Gonzalez. "I think it's important for us to recognize how important our historic neighborhoods."

Local business owners are also excited to see the new development. Ahmed Salah, the owner of Super Fresh Market says he hopes the new developments could help him rebound after the current pandemic.

"Downtown, old downtown especially is really doing bad. Especially when covid hit," said Salah. "We got affected really bad. So hopefully if they build more apartments, it will add more customers to us and hopefully the business wll pick up."

Currently there is no announcement on when construction on the new project would begin.