BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — What used to be a place of historical architecture in Bakersfield, has become an eyesore. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Downtown Bakersfield took a hit, and abandoned buildings became almost the norm.
But a proposed code could drastically change how Downtown looks.
Never miss a story – Make KGET.com your homepage
“One of the most egregious examples is this furniture store right behind me on 24th and Chester,” said Vice Mayor and Council Member for Ward 2 Andrae Gonzales. “Every single day thousands of us in Bakersfield pass by this building and it looks terrible, it’s awful, its a blight. … I get so many complaints about it, and not only that but it becomes an attractive nuisance where so many people are attracted to it to do illicit activities.”
All commercial buildings that have been or are expected to be vacant for longer than 30 days would have to be registered in the Vacant Building Registry.
Owners would also provide the plans for the building.
Those who don’t comply could be punished with an infraction, misdemeanor, or administrative citation.