Here's an experiment worth watching: Bakerfield's Downtown Business Development Corporation (DBDC) has launched a crowdfunding website in the hopes of seeing its urban design plans come to fruition.
From the crowdfunding page on Idiegogo, Bakerfield's Downtown Business Development Corporation (DBDC) explains the reasons for its crowdfunding campaign: "The DBDC voted to hire Placeworks, a nationally esteemed space planner, to create an urban design plan for our city. The results are amazing! "
The campaign is seeking $150,000 to launch phase 1 of the project, which "will give our city the boost it needs to begin creating viable districts in our downtown (i.e. arts & entertainment, education, civic, and health districts)."
That $150,000 will go toward four projects: 1) Lighting and maintenance, 2) A mural for the18th Street parking structure, 3) alley revitalization, and 4) development of the Downtown Urban Master Plan.
Thanks to Marissa Aho for the tip.
FULL STORY: Discover Downtown Live

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