DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION

According to the University of Toronto School of Cities, Downtown Bakersfield ranks #4 in the country in downtown recovery, with a 95% recovery rate after the COVID-19 pandemic.   Over the last few years, we’ve welcomed dozens of new small businesses in our downtown, with more to come in the future. Through our grants and incentives programs, like our security grant and Economic Opportunity Area grant programs, we’ve provided over a $1 million in funding to support our downtown.   

In the upcoming year, the City will begin construction of an improvement project on 18th and 19th Streets, between H and N streets, with the first segment starting between L and N. These projects, along with our H Street improvement project, between SR-58 and Golden State Highway, received $10.6 million in CMAQ funding from the Kern Council of Governments. 

JASTRO PARK STAGE

Jastro Park’s bandstand is a monument to Bakersfield’s history, and a source of pride for many of us in the community. But sadly, over the years it has been damaged, vandalized, and weathered.  In recent years, I’ve pushed the City to fund the renovation of the stage.  Last year, the City Council funded the design of a renovation, and this year we funded the construction! Soon, we will see an upgraded structure to serve our community for years to come. 

PARK RANGERS 

In January 2023, we launched our first-ever Park Ranger Program to ensure that every family had access to safe and clean parks. 

PICKLEBALL COURTS 

Recently, we also renovated the park’s pickleball courts, including a brand-new playing surface for 12 pickleball courts, one tennis court, and one handball court; new shade structures and new ADA sidewalk access.   

WESTCHESTER LIGHTS 

Things are looking a lot brighter on Cedar Street and A Street, thanks to the completion of our street lighting improvement project between Truxtun and 24th Streets.  The project included installation of 40 streetlights, including 34 decorative lighting posts with LED lamps. This  is real step forward in enhancing the safety and security of our neighborhood.  And over the upcoming few fiscal years, my plan is to push for additional funding to install additional street lights throughout Westchester.

ELM STREET REPAVEMENT

Over the last few years, we’ve repaved many Ward Two streets, including Elm and Olive, and many neighborhood alleys! 

JASTRO PARK PLAY STRUCTURE

We’ve made significant improvements to Jastro Park over the last few years, with renovations to the basketball courts, installation of a shade structure over the playground equipment, and new picnic tables

BRUNDAGE NAVIGATION CENTER

In 2019, Andrae led the fight to build a low-barrier navigation center. Since its opening in October 2020, the City’s first low-barrier navigation center has permanently housed 370 people, and expanded to 250 beds, meaning over 620 people are now off the street because of our work. BLNC is one of only two shelters in the nation that has a recuperative dorm for individuals discharged from area hospitals to stay while convalescing. In addition, we are working to add an additional 50 beds at the shelter.