Ask TBC: Is the east Bakersfield Super Wal-Mart coming?
| Wednesday, Dec 09 2009 04:00 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Dec 09 2009 04:00 PM
Q: Last year an article said that the WalMart on the east side of town was going to become a Super Wal-Mart. The old Vons store is still vacant in this shopping center. Is the Super Wal-Mart ever to become a reality?
-Alice Manalo
A: Yes, that Wal-Mart will be upgraded. The project was approved last year and is crawling through the process of architecture, construction permits and the like. Wal-Mart spokesman Aaron Rios told us he does not have an estimate for when construction will be complete.
Q: What's up with all of the LED traffic lights around town that are not working at 100 percent? These always seem to be around a third to a half out.
I thought that these LED lights were supposed to be more reliable.
- Jaime Benavides
A: Stuart Patteson, general services superintendent for the city of Bakersfield, answered this one:
The LED fixtures are much more energy efficient and reliable than the old incandescent bulbs. In addition, they have a design safety feature that allows part of the light, say a row or two of LEDs, to fail and not cause the entire red or green lamp to go out. This allows the light to still operate and indicate the phase it is on until it can be replaced.
Within the city of Bakersfield, we are not aware of any LED traffic signal lights that are not operating. If anyone sees a traffic signal light out or not functioning properly in the city, please call the traffic signal section at 326-3781.
Q: Why does the city of Bakersfield not require architectural standards when building new commercial properties and neighborhoods to maintain a sense of ambience and style?
The hodgepodge of strip malls we have in this town is disgusting, with Rosedale Highway from Coffee to Calloway being a perfect example.
Why couldn't these have been organized among the developers and turned into a nice northwest area mall as an example?
- Jason Grooms
A: Bakersfield Planning Director Jim Eggert responded:
The city adopted architectural design standards for large retail developments in 2007, which was after construction of the Northwest Promenade on Rosedale Highway that is being referenced (note: this center was developed by a single developer).
These new standards address building design and require architectural compatibility throughout a shopping center. They also promote flexibility in design rather than sameness, which allows areas to promote their own unique identity through use of different styles and materials.
Rather than become locked into one particular theme that can become quickly outdated, our regulations allow new architectural styles to be introduced, which enhances and adds visual interest throughout the community.
Q: There is a median on Stockdale Highway just past the bridge that it appears was never finished. Does the city ever intend to landscape it or will it be left empty?
- Bill Jones
A: If by "just past the bridge" you mean "just west of Highway 99," the city is looking for funds to build that improvement, said Arnold Ramming, a city civil engineer IV.
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.
