BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2013 The City Lights shopping center hasn\u2019t even broken ground over the old abandoned footprint of East Hills Mall, but northeast Bakersfield appears to be unanimous in its excited anticipation. At least that\u2019s what we found in our mini-survey.<\/p>\n
You have to look pretty hard to find indications that work has actually started on the City Lights commercial project in northeast Bakersfield. But finding signs of enthusiasm? That\u2019s pretty easy.<\/p>\n
RELATED: City Lights development in NE Bakersfield expected opening date, tenants revealed <\/a><\/p>\n The 36-acre property adjacent to the south side of Highway 178, between Bernard and Oswell streets, is still just fenced-off weeds and mounds of dirt \u2014 but northeast Bakersfield residents know what\u2019s coming to their underserved part of town, and they\u2019re ready for it.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s super cool,\u201d said barista Madison Mooney. \u201cI think it\u2019s going to bring a lot of business to the area and I think it\u2019s going to amplify it in a way where people will feel excited to shop around here. They\u2019re not going to travel to other parts of town, so they\u2019ll be able to shop where they live, which I like.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s been that way since East Hills Mall\u2019s gradual slide into irrelevance and ultimate demolition. Now, thanks to Southern California developer-investors Michael Heslov and Stephen Zimmerman, who paid $7.2 million for the property in June 2021, that\u2019s changing.<\/p>\n City Lights\u2019 confirmed tenants include Boot Barn, Sprouts, Ross, Ulta, Skechers, Marshalls, Burlington, PetSmart, Hobby Lobby, Bath & Body Works, Tilly\u2019s, Five Below and In-n-Out. More will be announced as leasing continues.<\/p>\n \u201cFor one thing, I think it\u2019ll increase property values,\u201d said Christina Solari. \u201cIt\u2019ll make people stay and shop in this area to help the economic development of this area. I think it\u2019s a very positive thing. You know, since they closed down East Hills Mall, it\u2019s been very depressed around here. So I think it\u2019s a very, very positive move.\u201d<\/p>\n Megan Sydlowski\u2019s first job at age 16 was at the Wet Seal clothing store in East Hills Mall.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen it rise and fall,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s not much out here on the east side. Everything\u2019s been growing westward. So I think it would be great. My mom would appreciate it. She lives up here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s great to see some development there,\u201d said Patrick Muldoon, in the drive-through line at Starbucks with his wife Jackie. \u201cYou know, I hate to see just an undeveloped lot there. So to get some more retail and commercial space, more shopping options for people here on the east side, is great to see.\u201d<\/p>\n