Ask TBC: Is a baseball complex being built in the northeast?
| Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 04:00 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 04:00 PM
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Q: At the old Mesa Marin Raceway, 178 and Canteria Road, there is construction going on. Rumors fly out of left field that yet another baseball complex is being built. Do you know if the rumor is true?
Several years ago they built a complex there. It struck out and became an eyesore. I hope this is not my tax dollars at work again! It seems that if you build it, they will not come to that site.
- Phillip Anderson
A: That's the Mesa Marin Sports Complex, which will have four softball fields with lights, said Bakersfield Assistant Public Works Director Brad Underwood.
Construction will also include a parking lot, restroom and concession stand. It's scheduled to be complete in July 2010, Underwood said.
Q: My wife and I live in Solera by Del Webb and often travel Comanche Road and have noticed a particular vineyard, on the west side of Comanche Road, that grows flat on the ground. No trellises.
I've asked several vineyards to explain this type of grapevines, but have not found anyone who knows why these grapes grow flat on the ground. One "expert" said this was called the "California Sprawl.
- Frank Miller
A: That's probably a nursery operation growing rootings for sale to vineyards and not a commercial vineyard operation, said Barry Bedwell, president of the California Grape and Fruit Tree League.
Bedwell said he doesn't know of any vineyards that don't use trellises; trellises are needed for growth of the grapes. He said our area has such nurseries, though.
Q: On Ming and Sunshine, there is a large, well-kept but unmarked domed building. I see cars there on weekday evenings and assume it is a religious center but I was curious if you could tell me what it is.
- Carolyn Cummings
A: That's the Islamic Center of the San Joaquin Valley.
Q: Recently you wrote explaining the cause for the westbound Fairfax off-ramp not opening. The question that I have is when is construction going to begin to fix the problem? It has been several months with no visible action.
- Jay Smith
A: Officials have not been able to pin down a start date as the fix is still being designed. For those who've missed the headlines, the westbound off-ramp has to be redesigned and rebuilt because part of the one constructed was deemed too steep and not meeting Caltrans standards.
The ramp must be realigned and lowered.
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.
