The city of Bakersfield is giving residents the chance to share their vision for a new and improved downtown Bakersfield.
Interactive workshops are being held at various Bakersfield spots and involve having people build the downtown Bakersfield they envision.
"Just get them to communicate with each other and understand what people in the community want to see together and how they can work together to build a better Bakersfield," said James Rojas, founder of Place It!, who ran the workshop.
These workshops are part of a grant that has been given by the state of California for city planning. Part of the focus is on how the city would change if the high speed rail project were to be put into place.
"Our view on it, if it is going to be built, we want to take the most advantage of it that we can and leverage that coming to Bakersfield because it is going to change how people get around in the state of California if it is built," said Doug McIsaac, Community Development Director for the City of Bakersfield.
"We want to make sure we in Bakersfield leverage that to our benefit."
Aside from cost, one resident thinks the high speed rail could benefit Bakersfield.
"I think that it might bring more business and money to our community and I think that that would be a very positive thing," said Susanne Campbell, who attended the workshop.
"And I really like the idea of jumping on a train and getting to either Northern or Southern California a lot faster than in my car."
Location and dates of more interactive workshops:
Bike Bakersfield March 30 9:30-10:30am; Bike Bakersfield Headquarters, 1708 Chester Ave.
Golden Empire Transit (GET) March 30 Noon-1pm; Golden Empire Transit, 1830 Golden State Ave.
Downtown Business Association March 30 2:30-3:30pm; City Centre Building, Boardroom 1A,1300 17th St.
Bakersfield Young Professionals April 7 Noon-1pm; Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce 1725 Eye St.
Bakersfield Association of Realtors April 7 2:30-3:30pm; Bakersfield Association of Realtors 2300 Bahamas Drive
Planning Commission (Public Workshop)
City Hall South Council Chambers April 7 5:30pm; 1501 Truxtun Ave.
