Bakersfield City Hall
Encyclopedia
Bakersfield City Hall is the center of government for the City of Bakersfield
, California
. It houses the Mayor's
office and the City Council
Chambers. It is located in the Civic Center
, Downtown
. A statue of Colonel Thomas Baker, the city's founder, is in front of the building and is marked as a California Historical Landmark #382. Many of the city's departments and officials are located in City Hall North, which is one block west of City Hall South.
A new building downtown was estimated to cost $18 million. Because the city was already committed to a variety of construction projects, it was decided to purchase an existing building nearby and remodel it for the city's needs. The Borton, Petrini & Conron building, constructed in 1995, was purchased for $4.5 million, and cost $1.4 million to remodel. It's name was changed to City Hall North. Many of the city's departments and officials (including the City Manager
) were moved into it. The old City Hall was renamed City Hall South, although it is still the official seat of power for the city. The Mayor's office and the City Council Chambers remained in the old building, which is required by the City Charter. The Department of Water Resources
would continue to remain at its existing location in Southwest Bakersfield
.
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It houses the Mayor's
Mayor of Bakersfield
The Mayor of Bakersfield is the elected leader for the city. Prior to 1957, he was appointed by the city council and the head of the executive branch. After that time, the mayor was split into two positions. The city manager would be appointed by the city council and run the executive branch. The...
office and the City Council
Bakersfield City Council
The Bakersfield City Council is the main governing body for Bakersfield, California. Under the council-manager form of government, the city council is the most powerful branch of government. It has seven members who represent seven wards...
Chambers. It is located in the Civic Center
Civic Center, Bakersfield
Civic Center is a district in Downtown Bakersfield, California. It is the center of government for the City of Bakersfield and the County of Kern, containing a collection of buildings used by the city, county, state, and federal governments. The district also contains all of downtown's sporting...
, Downtown
Downtown Bakersfield
Downtown in the central business district for Bakersfield, California. Located in the heart of the city, it is easily accessible from all its other parts. It is also reemerging as the center of Bakersfield’s arts, culture and entertainment sectors...
. A statue of Colonel Thomas Baker, the city's founder, is in front of the building and is marked as a California Historical Landmark #382. Many of the city's departments and officials are located in City Hall North, which is one block west of City Hall South.
History
The current City Hall was completed in 1954, after the old structure was destroyed in the 1952 earthquake. Interestingly, the old City Hall was too small and the city had started planning a new structure one year earlier. By the early 2000's, the city had again outgrown the existing building. Many of the city's departments and officials were at various locations throughout the city. The city decided to reconsolidate these services back to downtown.A new building downtown was estimated to cost $18 million. Because the city was already committed to a variety of construction projects, it was decided to purchase an existing building nearby and remodel it for the city's needs. The Borton, Petrini & Conron building, constructed in 1995, was purchased for $4.5 million, and cost $1.4 million to remodel. It's name was changed to City Hall North. Many of the city's departments and officials (including the City Manager
Bakersfield City Manager
The City Manager of Bakersfield is the appointed head of the executive branch. The position was created after 1957, when the role of mayor was split into two new positions. Under the council-manager form of government, the City Manager is responsible for executing ordinances passed by the city...
) were moved into it. The old City Hall was renamed City Hall South, although it is still the official seat of power for the city. The Mayor's office and the City Council Chambers remained in the old building, which is required by the City Charter. The Department of Water Resources
Bakersfield Department of Water Resources
The Bakersfield Department of Water Resources is a municipal utility in Bakersfield, California. Primarily it manages the city's water rights to the Kern River. Water is sent to water retailers that the city has contracts with, and recharge basins to seep into the groundwater table...
would continue to remain at its existing location in Southwest Bakersfield
Southwest Bakersfield
Southwest Bakersfield is the southwest region of Bakersfield, California. It is roughly bounded by the Kern River to the north and Oak St/Wible Rd. to the east...
.