Ask The Californian: What's the latest on the Centennial Corridor route?
| Sunday, Feb 21 2010 12:00 PM
Last Updated Sunday, Feb 21 2010 10:39 PM
Q: Is there any update on the Centennial Corridor project?
(Last The Californian reported), Caltrans was scheduled to announce the final decision sometime in 2010 on the preferred alternative for connecting Highway 58 with the Westside Parkway.
-- Rich Cullip
Q: About six months ago I read an article saying the final decision would be announced in February 2010 regarding the final chosen route for the Centennial Corridor. When will we be able to learn which of the possible routes was chosen? We live in one of the areas involved and this decision will greatly impact not only our lives, but all concerned.
-- Mellie and Thornton Weymouth
A: Caltrans spokeswoman Holly Vogel answered:
Caltrans is the lead agency, cooperating with Thomas Roads Improvement Program partners, in the development of the Centennial Corridor project. The proposed project would establish an east/west freeway alignment of Highway 58 extending through metropolitan Bakersfield and ultimately to Interstate 5.
The environmental study process is currently under way to evaluate: each of the four build alternatives; a "no-build" alternative; and a transit and transportation systems management alternative that meets the project's goals. Following the completion of the numerous technical studies, a draft environmental document will be presented to the public for comment. The environmental document will incorporate multiple study results, community input and ideas, and documents the reasons decisions are made.
The project development team anticipates circulating the draft environmental document by middle to late 2010 at a public meeting to be announced. The selection of a preferred alternative is expected in early to middle 2011 followed by the approval of the final environmental document in middle to late 2012.
Q: There is a very ugly church sitting on a mostly undeveloped lot on the corner of Olive Drive and Old Farm Road. The church itself is an eyesore but my main concern is the lot, which consists of dirt and weeds. Are there any plans to develop the rest of the lot? It would be nice to have a park or dog area close by.
-- Desirea Lawrence
A: Bakersfield Planning Director Jim Eggert took this one on:
This site is owned by a church (12000 Olive Drive). We have approved a phased development -- the first being a small fellowship hall and office (that also serves for church services), then eventually, they will build a larger sanctuary and administrative building. Their plans include development of the entire site.
As with most churches, funding is usually their biggest hurdle, which means a very long development schedule (could be five years or more). Any part of the site that is undeveloped, they are responsible to maintain. Since it is unpaved, they cannot park on it and use is limited -- that is why many churches tend to plant their expansion areas in grass as it looks good, and gives them some limited outdoor use.
Q: There has been a large vacant lot (in the 6000 block) of Auburn Street for two years. A sign has said apartment construction is pending, but work stopped long ago. There is a large earth mover with all windows broken, large mounds of dirt and trash and huge chunks of concrete that all combine to create a ugly and hazardous eyesore.
Is there a way we can force the landowners to clean this up?
-- David Harmon
A: The site, at 6201 Auburn St., is zoned for apartments and the city approved a 63-unit apartment/condominium development for there in November 2005, Eggert said.
In 2007, he said, city planning signed off on plans so the owner could get building permits and start construction.
The owner started the permitting process but stopped, according to Randy Fidler, Bakersfield chief code enforcement officer. There appears to be a new owner of the property, he said, and code enforcement will send out a notice to clean the place up.
Ask The Californian appears on Mondays and Thursdays. Submit questions to asktbc@bakersfield.com or to The Bakersfield Californian, c/o Christine Bedell, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302.
