Cottonwood Road gets a new name
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The renaming of a street may be the road to change.
Cottonwood Road in southeast Bakersfield will now be named South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
"There's a lot of energy and a lot of excitement," community leader and ShePower organizer, Arleana Waller said.
Waller grew up on Cottonwood Road. She believes the new name will change the areas negative reputation.
"It's really known as an area that you don't want to be a part of, but we want to change that, this area deserves an opportunity to thrive where they live," said Waller. "Just think about the black excellence of Doctor King that's what we want our community to represent," Waller said.
But Waller hopes the name change will bring more than just new street signs. There are plans for a new elementary school, even the city looking to annex large county pockets in the area.
Waller says it's a start to help a community that needs a lot of attention.
Right now, the city and county are waiting for Caltrans to change the sign on Highway 58.
It could take several months till the street sights are actually put up.
