AREA MAKEOVER NEW LOOK PLANNED FOR CITY'S NORTHEAST.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Lancaster officials have introduced a redevelopment plan to tie together a regional park, transform the former fairgrounds and spruce up appearances for Avenue I and Sierra Highway, all in the city's northeast portion.

The Northeast Gateway Corridors Vision Plan, rolled out Tuesday, was spurred by concerns about deterioration of neighborhoods and an increase in crime in the area bordered roughly by 10th Street West, West Avenue H-8, Challenger Way and Avenue I.

``Our goal is to really transform this whole entire area into a stronger, more productive part of our community,'' said City Manager Jim Gilley. ``This plan, we believe, allows us to do that.''

Among the plan's primary goals are to rebuild the former Antelope Valley Fairgrounds site; improve the appearance of Avenue I, Sierra Highway, Division Street and other major thoroughfares; redevelop specific housing areas; provide guidelines for putting new subdivisions on vacant city blocks; and add open space and parks.

Because of the project's scope, city officials called for a study and report on its probable environmental impact. The report is expected in six to nine months.

``One of the goals is to create an overall environmental clearance, so as new projects come in, they aren't hampered by having to jump through the environmental hoops,'' said Ron Pflugrath of RBF Consulting, an Irvine company that worked on the plan for the area anchored on the north by the proposed 60-acre Whit Carter Park on Sierra Highway near Avenue H-8. The park, expected to cost about $4.8 million, would include baseball fields, picnic areas and a children's play area.

Valley pioneer Whit Carter's home, donated by his family, would be turned into a community center in the park. The park would also contain an area where dogs would be allowed to run without leashes.

The area immediately south of the park is earmarked for single-family homes and commercial development. The area once held crime-ridden fourplexes that the city acquired and demolished.

City officials are looking at acquiring a strip of property across Sierra Highway from the park. The property would be landscaped to give the area a greener look.

Vacant land north of Avenue I and east of Sierra Highway is earmarked for industrial uses.

The plan incorporates the previously announced idea to transform the old fairgrounds at Avenue I and Division Street. The 70 acres will be turned into a youth baseball complex, homes, a shopping center and a local site for California State University, Bakersfield, to have classrooms and laboratories.

The plan also calls for improving the look of Avenue I and rehabilitating commercial and industrial buildings along the street.

Another plan, called the North Downtown Transit Village Plan, is being drafted for the nearby area generally bounded by Avenue I, the railroad tracks, Kettering Street and Fern Avenue.

The centerpiece of the Transit Village Plan is a proposed municipal park coupled with expanded campuses of Desert Christian School and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which also operates a school. Details are subject to change, but a concept map shows the park covering 10 to 12 acres and having two baseball fields, two soccer fields and four basketball courts.

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Consultant Ron Pflugrath explains a plan on Tuesday for redevelopment and open space in Lancaster's northeast area.

Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer