By Darlene L. Williams | Contributing Writer
BAKERSFIELD, Ca — An empty dirt field at 530 4th Street is all that remains to remind the community of what once stood as the Bakersfield Senior Center—a place where seniors gathered, friendships flourished, meals were shared and countless memories shaped the community’s long-standing legacy.
But the story about the dirt field on 4th Street is far from over.
On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, over 100 supporters, elected officials, community leaders, and well-wishers gathered under the August sun to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony of a new state- of-the- art, senior center and 36-unit senior affordable housing facility.
Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh was among several officials slated to speak at the hour-long celebration.
“We look into the future and say, together we come; in strength, joy, vitality and belonging. Projects like this don’t happen without vision, without partnership, without that sense of community–and indeed that is what we are celebrating” Goh said.
Goh praised Congressman David Valadao for 7.57 million dollars in federal funding for the project.
“You delivered”, Goh said.” We were asking for lots of different projects, I always said, the Bakersfield Senior Center”.
The spirit of collaboration was echoed by U.S. Congressman David Valadao, who said the project demonstrates what can be accomplished when local governments, community organizations, and residents work toward a common goal.
“The fact that they run a good operation, the city, the mayor, the City Council, the county, the Senior Center—all these different groups come together to show that they can function, they can work together, and were willing partners for us to be able to advocate on a federal level to bring those dollars here”, Valadao said.
Following the groundbreaking ceremony, the Bakersfield News Observer spoke with Bakersfield Senior Center Executive Director Lilli Parker, whose unwavering vision for an updated modernized senior facility has finally begun to take shape.
For Parker, Tuesday’s groundbreaking represented more than the start of construction—it marked the realization of years of planning, perseverance, and advocacy. The new 36-unit affordable senior housing development, along with a new senior center, is expected to be completed in approximately 19 months.
Parker said she was excited to learn that the projected completion date is now several months ahead of the original projected date, bringing the long-awaited project to the community sooner than expected.
“We’ll have a cardio room, a Tai Chi room, a state-of-the-art computer lab, sewing room, and arts and crafts as well, Parker exclaimed. “The Housing Authority will have a social hall, a manager’s office and a space for their maintenance department”.
The vision for the Senior Center and the well-being of the senior community continues to expand in Parker’s mind.
“In planning this, she said, I’m thinking 25-years out, not for the now, but my goal is to see if we can get a resiliency center in our computer lab where if there’s an emergency that comes up we want to be that hub for Fire, Police, whoever it is, to come and transform our lab room into their headquarters—that’s the goal”.
Parkers gave praise and thanks to God for giving her favor and vision. She expressed her gratefulness for the partnership of the Housing Authority of Kern County and multiple project funding partners who were instrumental in turning her dream into reality.
Development Description:
The Housing Authority of the County of Kern, in partnership with the Bakersfield Senior Center, is proud to break ground on a new development that will provide 36 affordable apartment homes for seniors and a modern, community-centered senior facility.
This collaborative investment reflects a shared commitment to expanding affordable housing while creating a vibrant community space where older adults can access services, wellness programs, educational opportunities, and meaningful social connections for years to come.
~HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF KERN~