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City Officials Advance Neighborhood Developments Through Project Approvals
Recent approvals cover housing, retail and mixed-use plans in multiple Bakersfield areas.
How we reported this
City officials have approved a 378-unit master-planned community by Froehlich Development on vacant land west of Renfro Road at Brimhall Road in northwest Bakersfield.
These decisions align with other active projects that add residential units and retail space across different parts of the city. The approvals occur alongside existing programs that support local entrepreneurs as new neighborhoods take shape.
Northwest Projects
The 378-unit community adds housing options on the northwest side. Bakersfield Commons, a 20-year mixed-use project at Coffee Road and Brimhall Road, is planned in three phases to combine residential, commercial and retail spaces with a main street design.
Larger Apartment Complexes
Park Center at Seven Oaks, a 520-unit apartment complex developed by Presidio Capital Partners and Bolthouse Properties, is described in records as the largest multifamily development in Kern County history. Preleasing starts in spring 2026 and occupancy is expected by late summer 2026.
Southeast Bakersfield plans include Mulberry Village with 760 units and Mayflower Ranch with 850 units, plus an 110,000-square-foot shopping center that will include the area's first grocery store.
Southwest Retail Additions
Multiple retail developments are active near White Lane and Buena Vista Road. Belcourt neighborhood retail includes operational Starbucks and gyms. Stockdale River Village has a near-finished AutoZone and McDonald's.
The City of Bakersfield Entrepreneurship Program, partnering with BC's Launchpad and the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce, provides grants that have helped local businesses such as photographer Betty Spivey's startup expand. The Greater Bakersfield Chamber runs The Chamber Perk initiative to share stories of local businesses year-round and connects them with the community. Sweet Surrender, a family-owned bakery founded in 1989, received national recognition after its lemon white chocolate cake appeared in Oprah Magazine.
Local data shows that for every $1 spent locally in Bakersfield, $0.68 recirculates in the community, and small businesses donate 250% more to local charities than national chains.
These projects and support programs continue to move forward according to their stated schedules. Residents can follow updates from the City of Bakersfield and the Greater Bakersfield Chamber for information on timelines and opportunities to engage with new developments.