BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — City officials plan to apply for a state grant to help fund its major urban greening project proposed in central Bakersfield, according to the City Council’s Wednesday meeting agenda.<\/p>\n
The California Natural Resources Agency announced funding available through the Urban Greening Grant Program<\/a> for 2026. It’s to support projects that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide several environmental and community benefits, the agenda read.<\/p>\n The City Council is being asked to approve submitting a grant application to CNRA requesting $1,750,000 to fund a portion of the city’s Central City Corridor Tree Canopy Project, according to the agenda.<\/p>\n The proposed project is estimated to cost $16 million in total.<\/p>\n The project is meant to improve Chester Avenue from Brundage Lane to Truxtun Avenue, as well as on Truxtun Avenue from Myrtle Street to V Street. City staff called these key downtown corridors.<\/p>\n Staff said this area is considered disadvantaged with less than 1% of tree canopy coverage and some of the highest environmental and heat burdens in the state.<\/p>\n The proposed project suggests planting about 435 climate-ready trees and 3,500 shrubs, perennials and grasses, according to the agenda.\u00a0<\/p>\n It also includes installing about 30,000 square feet of bioswales, converting turf to drought-tolerant landscaping, adding smart irrigation improvements and replacing failing trees.<\/p>\n “These improvements are intended to significantly expand the city’s urban tree canopy, reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, enhance stormwater management, sequester carbon and create a more comfortable and walkable downtown environment for residents, employees and visitors,” the agenda read.<\/p>\n The improvements also are intended as part of the city’s downtown revitalization goals as the city prepares for increased activity from the future California High-Speed Rail station, staff said.<\/p>\n