A Costco, a gas station and a string of restaurants could soon turn a quiet Bakersfield-area neighborhood into a major shopping destination, and neighbors are already preparing for the crowds. Tammy York, who lives directly across the street from the proposed development in Gossamer Grove, initially welcomed the idea of having a Costco and gas station practically in her backyard. But she said the prospect of a rush of shoppers worries her about traffic at an intersection she believes is already congested. A proposed Costco development, along with a gas station and restaurants, is raising concerns among local residents about traffic and crime in Bakersfield. 23ABC “I’m just concerned about crime and traffic. Those are my main concerns,” York said. 23ABC “Community Drive was already full at 8 in the morning. I think the traffic will be the worst part,” York told KERO-TV. The project is proposed near Seventh Standard Road and Calloway Drive and could bring a Costco, a gas station and several restaurants to the rapidly growing neighborhood. York said he has already witnessed multiple accidents at the intersection and is concerned the new development could also lead to more crime. “I’m just worried about crime and traffic. Those are my main concerns,” York said. Still, the prospect of having a Costco and a gas station so close to home has a lot of appeal. York said he currently drives about seven miles to Rosedale to fill up, in part because nearby Chevron stations charge higher prices. Sign up for the California Morning Report newsletter, delivering California’s top news, sports and entertainment to your inbox every day. Thanks for signing up! Her husband, Mike York, said the couple moved to Gossamer Grove in 2020 in part because of their separation from the rest of Bakersfield. But the neighborhood has grown considerably since then, and he recognized that a development of this size would surely follow. “At first I was a little excited. And, you know, one of the main reasons was the gas station, because it would be nice to just hook up my trailer, cross the street, get gas and go on my merry way,” he said. A proposed Costco development, along with a gas station and restaurants, is also raising concerns about crime, particularly related to homelessness. 23ABC However, he shares his wife’s concerns about crime and told KERO-TV that he worries that a major shopping center could attract homeless people and lead to more robberies, which he said is already a problem in the area. The biggest question now may be whether the neighborhood can handle the traffic that comes with becoming a shopping center. Developer Jim Halferty says the answer is yes, because the project includes a major road renovation. Halferty told KERO-TV that all road improvements would be completed before Costco and other businesses open. CA Post’s Carlin Stiehl Plans call for the southern half of Seventh Standard Road to be expanded to six-lane highway standards, along with an auxiliary lane for right turns and vehicle acceleration and deceleration. A 30-foot landscaped avenue would also be added. Calloway Drive would be upgraded to arterial arterial standards, with three lanes in each direction and a completely improved intersection at Seventh Standard Road. Download the California Post app, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, The biggest question now may be whether the neighborhood can handle the traffic that comes with becoming a shopping center. The development would have five access points: two along Seventh Standard Road restricted to right-in and out-traffic, and three along Calloway Drive with dedicated right-turn lanes. The center entrance on Calloway Drive would serve as the main entrance and would have a new traffic signal. The development would have five access points: two along Seventh Standard Road limited to right ingress and egress traffic, and three along Calloway Drive with dedicated right turn lanes. The central entrance on Calloway Drive would serve as the main access point to the development and would include a new traffic signal. Halferty told KERO-TV that all road improvements would be completed before Costco and other businesses open.
