State of Downtown Breakfast showcases 2025 construction projects, honors former DBA director, Art Heist founder
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – The Downtown Business Association held its annual State of Downtown Breakfast at the Iron Lilly Thursday morning.
A packed house heard from City Councilmember Andrae Gonzalez, Assistant City Manager Rick Anthony, and Bakersfield Police Lt. Nicole Anderberg, among others.
The DBA handed out its Innovation Award to Carrie Blind of Wild n Styled, not only for her creative additions to the Haberfelde building, where her salon is headquartered, but for her work creating and organizing the Art Heist. The October 2024 event saw 31 downtown businesses transformed into individual art galleries showcasing the work of more than 100 Kern County artists.
Experienced downtown Bakersfield organizer marshals Bakersfield Christmas Parade
But the most lavish praise was reserved for former longtime DBA Executive Director Cathy Butler, who has helped coordinate innumerable downtown events by and for the business community, from First Fridays and Third Thursdays to Christmas Parades, downtown security efforts and membership drives.
Events like the Downtown Breakfast are usually full of optimism and mutual congratulations, but Thursday's event, sponsored in part by KGET, truly did have some good news.
Developers and other project advocates were on hand to update the business community on several high profile developments in the city's central corridor.
The ambitious Woolworth building renovation at 19th and K is moving along at breakneck speed. The 33,000-square foot landmark, which celebrates its 75th birthday this year, will be completed in late May, according to Emily Waite, the Woolworth's co-owner and project manager. The main floor, which includes the historic 1950s-era soda fountain, will open in June. The rest of the building opens to customers when the elevator is certified and ready to go.
Woolworth's ambitious renovation is loud, proud and on schedule
The Dolores Huerta Foundation's long-awaited Peace and Justice Center is set to break ground on April 10 — Dolores Huerta's 95th birthday. The $35 million, 30,000-square foot building at 21st and Eye streets, will have an art gallery, a behavioral health center, an outdoor events center and more. The Foundation's Emilio Huerta says to expect a grand opening in December 2026.
Tim Ortiz of the Bakersfield Firefighters Historical Society was on hand to show the progress of the firefighters museum and community center, which will arise out of a donated warehouse at the corner of 20th and G streets, across the alley from the Fox Theater. Groundbreaking is set for this year, with the grand opening tentatively slated for May 2027.
Ordiz Melby Architects showed plans for Bell Tower Plaza. That's the former Baptist Church on Truxtun Avenue.
Also coming: Cleo on 18th, a new market rate apartment complex set to begin construction soon next door to Cafe Smitten; and a new entrance and facade for the Bakersfield Museum of Art. All coming to downtown Bakersfield. Most are likely to open before the end of 2026.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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