Full Breakdown
Costco Development Proposed for Bakersfield’s Gossamer Grove Stirs Resident Concerns
8/23/2026, 7:59:48 AM
Proposed Project and Community Reaction
A mixed-use plan to build a Costco wholesale warehouse, a gasoline station and several restaurants is slated for the Gossamer Grove neighborhood of Bakersfield, near the intersection of Seventh Standard Road and Calloway Drive. The proposal has prompted local residents to voice worries about increased traffic congestion and a potential rise in crime.
Resident Concerns
“I’m just worried about the crime, and I’m worried about the traffic. That’s my main concerns,” — Tammy York. She added that “Community Drive is already packed all the way back at 8 o’clock in the morning. I think the traffic is just gonna be the worst part of it” “Community Drive is already packed all the way back at 8 o’clock in the morning. I think the traffic is just gonna be the worst part of it,” — Tammy York. York noted multiple recent crashes at the nearby intersection and fears the new development could exacerbate safety risks. Her husband, Mike York, who moved to Gossamer Grove in 2020, echoed the sentiment, saying the area’s growth makes a large shopping center “bound to follow” and that he worries it could attract homeless individuals and increase theft.
Developer Plans and Official Response
Jim Halferty, the project’s developer, responded that the traffic issue will be mitigated by a comprehensive road overhaul. He told KERO-TV that the southern half of Seventh Standard Road will be expanded to six-lane expressway standards, with an auxiliary lane for right turns and a 30-foot landscaped parkway. Calloway Drive will be upgraded to arterial standards, featuring three lanes in each direction and a fully improved intersection at Seventh Standard Road.
Traffic and Safety Implications
The plan calls for five access points—two on Seventh Standard Road limited to right-in/right-out movements and three on Calloway Drive with dedicated right-turn lanes, the central entrance receiving a new traffic signal. While the infrastructure upgrades aim to accommodate higher vehicle volumes, residents remain skeptical that the changes will fully address the existing congestion and safety concerns.
Outlook
The core question now is whether the upgraded roadway network will sufficiently handle the anticipated surge in shoppers and associated traffic. No specific timeline for the road work or the opening of the Costco has been disclosed, leaving the community awaiting further details.
