About Us
About Us
Our Long-Standing Experience
Founded in 2013, the Downtown Bakersfield Development Corporation (DBDC) is a 501(c)(3) leading the complete revitalization of Downtown Bakersfield—with a present-day focus on housing, community projects, and entertainment zones. We align with best practices from downtown development corporations statewide to turn vision into vibrant, lived-in streets.
The Downtown Bakersfield Development Corporation (DBDC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) driving Downtown Bakersfield’s next chapter. Today, our work centers on three pillars—Housing, Community Projects, and Entertainment Zones—to create a clean, safe, and welcoming urban core where people live, invest, and gather.
Housing
We advance downtown living by helping move projects from concept to keys-in-doors.
* Support predevelopment and site readiness
* Align public–private partnerships and incentives
* Champion mixed-use, adaptive reuse, and workforce housing
* Coordinate with city partners to streamline pathways to delivery
Community Projects
We deliver visible improvements that raise quality of life and confidence in place.
* Streetscape upgrades, lighting, shade, and plazas
* Public art and cultural assets that celebrate Bakersfield
* Safety-by-design enhancements and wayfinding
* Partnerships that activate blocks and maintain momentum
Entertainment Zones
We cultivate lively, well-managed areas for dining, arts, and events that boost foot traffic and business health.
* Vendor and venue coordination that balances stakeholders
* Programming and pop-ups that test and scale activation
* Policy collaboration to support thriving nighttime and family-friendly experiences
How We Work
Partner-first. We convene the City, developers, property owners, residents, and businesses to align goals and funding.
Plan-to-project. We translate adopted plans into capital projects, pilot activations, and place-based investments.
Data & delivery. We prioritize projects with measurable impact on safety, occupancy, sales, and street vitality.
Current Priorities (2025–2027)
Advance infill and adaptive reuse housing downtown
Deliver phased community projects that improve comfort and safety
Establish entertainment zones that drive consistent evening and weekend activity
Secure grants and private investment to accelerate timelines
Legacy of Impact (Prior Work)
Before refocusing on housing, community projects, and entertainment zones, DBDC laid key groundwork with the DBA and partners—facilitating community workshops toward an Urban Development Plan, launching Taste of Downtown as an early fundraiser and restaurant showcase, coordinating street ambassadors and cleanups with local nonprofits, restoring murals, improving alleys with lighting and art, and helping stand up the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery.
Office: 1675 Chester Ave Suite 110
Call 661-325-5892
Email: [email protected]
Site: BakersfieldDBDC.com
