Results from Phase III Community Forums:

Volunteer Facilitator Training - March 14, 2000

Our Slogan:
· In the Heart of it all
· Bakerfield-the best kept secret

Our Image
· Clean & Safe
· Vacation "Riverwalk"
· Educated
· Inclusive
· Great Schools "Clovis type"

Our Reputation
· Proactive
· Inclusive
· Business friendly
· Fun!

Business Environment
· Lots of opportunity/choices
· "New Silicon Valley"
· Strong Ag base - export, technology, efficiency

Arts & Culture
· Performing Arts Center/Concert Hall
· Encourage art/music participation for all
· Art museum that rivals L.A.
· "Cowboy" culture (music, peotry, CA heritage)

Heart of the City
· Multiple use-living safe-all ages
· Entertainment
· Fun "Riverwalk" atmosphere
· Everyone wants to go there
· Theatres
· "Nordstroms".com
· Chewy's
· Cheescake Factory
· Gladstones

Technology
· Leading edge high tech

Transportation
· Transportation Hub (shipping
· Hi-speed rail between San Diego & Sacramento

Our Values
· Tolerance
· Family Centered
· Peaceful and free of crime

Biggest Change
· Managed growth to Ag land, but to the East
· Educational success is a priority for whole community
· Water in the river and riverside parks for miles
· Much greener
· Water developments

Break Thrus
· Safe
· Public transportation everyone uses
· Affordable health care-holistic prevention
· Clean air
· Positive image as a city to live in
· College going rte @ 50%

What's Our Vision for our economy over the Next 10-20 years?
· Good opportunities for youth
· Transportation for all
· Affordable/accessible/quality child care
· Low unemployment rate
· Diverse
· Family friendly businesses
· Strong political Influence in all factors…elected officials

What kind of Economic Development Initiatives do we want to create?
· Tax breaks/cheap land in "depressed" area
· Industries/entrepreneurs taking advantage of affordable housing
· Technoloby/engineering training
· E-commerce incubator
· Ag export development
· Telecommuting support center(s)

What kind of Jobs do we want to attract here over the next 10-20 years?
· Technology oriented
· Transportation (trucking, train, shipping, warehousing, etc.)
· Various professionals working from home offices
· Entertainment technology - animation, etc.
· Stable
· Careers

Our Vision for Downtown
· Wonderful well-known antique district (H street)
· Fountains
· Historic value-Museum, Native American; Interactive; Oil-Agriculture
· Affordable Apartments & Condos
· Multi-level mall - incl. Nordstroms
· Grocery Store
· Restaurants
· Protected Historic District
· Middle School
· Jazz Club
· Youth Center next to Senior Center
· Lots & lots of fountains
· High density living with wonderful retail, restaurants, etc.
· More Parks
· Trees along Union Avenue
· Park between California and Brundage
· New homes & parks between Lakeview and Union
· Multicultural center same as above
· Shopping Von's
· Lots of trees and water
· Easy no fee parking downtown
· Bike trails
· Synchronized lights to minimize air pollution

In our Community's Future We Wanted and We Got
· Univ. of California-Bakersfield
· Top scores in K-12 grades
· Mountain views all year
· Lead safe community
· Quick drive from SW to NE and no one loses their home
· Low dropout rate
· Lots of Trees!
· No teen pregnancy - healthy babies
· Community amenities
· Opportunities for all to succeed
· Convenient, cheap air and rail service
· Homes, parks & shops in SE
· Variety of entertainment opportunities

In our Community's Future We Didn't Want and Didn't Get
· Freeways to no-where
· Higher housing prices
· Gangs
· Bigots/racist/intolerance
· Leap Frog development - uncontrolled growth
· Continued Blight!
· Dairies
· Poor image

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