BIG Vision: Community Engagement Meetings

1 – How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Barstow? 

• Local jobs for our kids
• Livable wages
• Training for young adults, retention of youth
• Improved infrastructures, transportation
• Increased retail and new homes but still affordable living
• Improved schools
• Increased revenue
• Raising the bar for entire High Desert
• Reduced percentage of welfare

2 – For planning purposes, what information will your organization need to know about this project?

• Percentage of direct and indirect jobs in Barstow
• How is BNSF partnering with the community
• Will the City keep the west-end industrial

3 – What current Barstow facilities/programs/activities should be expanded or improved?

• Build more houses
• Incentives for homebuilders and home buyers, ie buy points to reduce interest rate, money towards down payment, waived/reduced fees for building & school fees
• New schools
• Expand hospital
• May need to implement Mello-Roos fees and Homeowner Association fees
• High end housing amenities
• Code enforcement
• Beautification – Main Street
• Stimulate investment into Opportunity Zones
• Improve Parks
• Restaurants
• Entertainment
• Sharing the positives about Barstow, need better marketing
• Stay business friendly

4- Do you have any concerns about the project?

• Explosion of prices, land homes businesses – how do we control that
• High interest rates will inhibit home sales
• Barstow already has a demand/need for more housing
• Could see an uncontrolled development explosion – aim for sustainability
• California isn’t business friendly
• Don’t expect BNSF to fix everything – don’t get greedy

1 – How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Barstow?

• Improve local economy, retail, additional purchasing power
• Invigorate hometown spirit (railroad history)
• College expansion, new programs for study, new instructors, equipment, improve
• Expand recruitment of college staff and students
• Catalyst for revitalization
• More investors for a variety of projects
• Increase collaboration opportunities
• Will give Barstow national recognition
• Expand on college’s best practices for new and expanded programs
• Increase population growth bringing new workforce, new families
• Help retain our young people
• Give hope to our young people
• Bring more members to our churches
• Create pathway for youth to stay in Barstow, education to training to workforce
• Increase in dollars from new employees and visitors which means increased revenue for businesses
• Catalyst for community beautification and home improvements
• Positive change in perception of Barstow
• Will improve housing market

2 – For planning purposes, what information will your organization need to know about this project?

• Need projected growth numbers to revise school facility plans
• Timing of project
• Demographics, age and interests of employees
• Type of education/training needed to qualify for new jobs
• Job descriptions for positions at BNSF
• Demographics of new employees – Will they have families? Ages of children?
• Who are we trying to attract
• What do future employees want

3 – What current Barstow facilities/programs/activities should be expanded or improved?

• Add new schools
• Expect if we double population we need to double number of schools
• Review/update current facility plans for all schools (share plans with City)
• Will need modular school facilities until construction is done
• Have Developer construction new schools with input from school personnel (faster process)
• Look into sharing facilities
• Share resources when possible – especially technology
• Realize technology can reduce/replace capital invest
• More cultural events/arts to improve quality of life
• Expand/promote programs at college Performing Arts Center
• Promote Barstow’s (pre K through college) philosophy of ‘equitable outcomes” (inclusion)
• Childcare
• Better community promotion, better school promotion
• Need collaboration between all school & college PIOs
• Currently have a teacher shortage
• Expand Internships
• Promote curriculum alignment
• Make more attractive gateways into Barstow
• BUSD/BCC can collaborate art departments for murals, sculptures etc. to display in public spaces
• Design to make Barstow a more livable community

4- Do you have any concerns about the project?

• Where will we get money to build schools
• Bond possibility for Barstow college
• Address urban sprawl

1 – How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Barstow? 

• Job creation with more livable wage jobs
• Businesses expansion
• Expanded education & internship opportunities
• General growth
• Attract developers
• More places to shop
• More restaurants
• Increased revenue for city
• Better image
• Higher standard of living
• Increase property value
• Revenue, county, city, schools
• Positive name recognition
• Additional union jobs during construction and after
• Increased train tourism

2 – For planning purposes, what information will your organization need to know about this project?

• How many new jobs will be local
• How many jobs will be temporary vs. permanent
• How housing be provided for temp workers (Hotels or?)
• What kind of skill sets will be needed for new employees (BNSF hires)

3 – What current Barstow facilities/programs/activities should be expanded, improved or added?

• Barstow services currently centrally located for current small population
• Need to identify central location for Homeless service center and plan satellite locations
• Barstow homeless services coordinator
• Substance abuse programs
• Mental health facilities, counseling, services
• Need homeless services plan city wide
• Transportation opportunities for homeless and those in need
• Navigation center
• Emergency shelters/beds (based on Point in Time count)
• Low-cost housing, affordable housing
• Services for kids and families
• Neighborhood congregational places
• Neighbor Community centers, childcare
• Variety of shelter opportunities, tents, singles, to families,
• Counselors/ case workers
• City needs to establish laws related to homeless and enforce them (public right-of-way)
• Realize needs for different type of beds (low barrier vs. target groups)
• Address situational homeless (lost house, lost job, got divorced, cannot
• afford first and last, home sold)
• Look at homeless prevention programs
• Prioritize those that want help (How many homeless would go to bed if there was one?)
• Additional grant funding
• Building relationships with each-other, local, county, state, BNSF, businesses
• Clearing encampments

4- Do you have any concerns about the project?

• How will City address infrastructure needs
• Cost of living increase
• Communities east of Barstow will have increase wait time at crossings
• Want to keep Barstow’s small-town feel
• Think through Circulation/Transportation element
• Environmental impacts need to be addressed

1- How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Barstow? 

• More living wage jobs
• National recognition
• More people
• Improve income level of our residents
• Better education, schools
• Will help keep money in Barstow
• New homes
• Increased property values

2 – For planning purposes, what information will your organization need to know about this project?

• Will the 20,000 jobs be permanent? How will they be distributed?
• Timeline
• Is current BNSF machine shop going to Arizona? (No per Lena)
• Will the majority of the new facility (warehousing) be automated?
• How many warehouses will there be? Total square footage?
• Will traffic flow change??
• How many trucks will this project take off the 15 freeway?
• Can BNSF do business with local small businesses?
• What equipment/products will they use that can be purchased locally?
• When will we know that the project is for sure a go? After environmental review, plan approval or?

3 – What current Barstow facilities/programs/activities should be expanded or improved?

• More things for kids like roller rink, bowling etc.
• City needs a Small business liaison
• More trade schools
• Encourage local purchases by BNSF when possible
• More after school programs for kids
• Can BNSF help schools pay for auto shop, welding classes?
• Clean up Barstow
• Address Homeless problem
• Offer Drug counseling
• Spread knowledge of existing (assistance) programs
• Better public relations
• Train museum, train focus
• Capitalize on freeways
• Regular meetings between government and citizens
• Capitalize on history, mines, rail, route 66

4- Do you have any concerns about the project?

• How will Barstow handle more traffic?
• Are there enough employees?
• How can small businesses compete with wages of BNSF?

1 – How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Barstow? 

• More living wage sustainable jobs
• More housing
• Improved schools
• Attract more businesses
• Local hires
• Keep our kids here
• Many jobs won’t require college degree
• Spend money locally
• Stabilize our community
• Positive growth
• Improve Barstow’s appearance
• Less poverty
• Less homeless

2 – What information do you want to know about this project?

• Post local bidding information and opportunities
• Is the City of Barstow prepared for the growth
• Is public safety ready
• Will BNSF hire veterans
• How do we fund these infrastructure projects in advance

3 – What current Barstow facilities/programs/activities should be expanded or improved?

• What needs to be added?
• Jobs training program
• Local technical training
• Street maintenance
• Positive representation of good things in Barstow
• Share information with business community
• Should Santa Fe build housing?

4- Do you have any concerns about the project?

• Don’t’ become like Victorville/Hesperia
• Will there be more truck traffic on freeway
• Will this increase local traffic especially on the old road between Barstow and Helendale
• Employees won’t live here

1 – How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Barstow? 

• Future jobs
• Increase in housing
• Increase labor pool
• More logistics focus will attract more logistics workers
• More people will move here to work
• Financial benefit for the area

2 – What information do you want to know about this project?

• Will this change railroad infrastructure alameda corridor to Barstow
• Will this increase train traffic
• Does BNSF plan to add more lines east of Barstow
• What percentage of jobs are local
• How will this project affect local housing
• Is City infrastructure ready for project

3 – What current Barstow facilities/programs/activities should be expanded or improved? What needs to be added?

• Expand Skill Bridge (veteran hiring program)
• Anti-terrorist training
• Partnerships for training, security, opportunities for equipment sharing
• Circulation plans
• More entry level housing for young marines/soldiers
• More upper end housing for higher ranking military
• MOU for Barstow to take over MCLB sewer
• Utilize DRECP grants for sewer improvements
• Use Scalia definition of waters of the US
• Public safety training with hazardous materials

4- Do you have any concerns about the project?

• Barstow becomes a bigger security target as a major logistic hub
• Maintain space buffer around MCLB (sound, wildlife etc.)

1 – How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Barstow? 

• Fantastic for bringing jobs
• New businesses
• Increase revenue for city
• Increase enrollment for schools
• Bring new families
• Improved housing market
• Bring in new volunteers
• Huge opportunity for kids to stay in Barstow 

2 – What information do you want to know about this project?

• This group had no additional questions.

 3 – What current Barstow facilities/programs/activities should be expanded or improved? What needs to be added?

• Maintain and improve existing parks
• Add more Park & Rec staff
• More parks with ball field size areas
• More designated practice fields/areas for all sports (baseball, softball, soccer, football)
• Pitching machine
• Designated softball fields
• Build a Football stadium
• Improve trust between youth sports advocates and city
• Need better communication between city and youth sports
• Build a soccer complex with 8 to 10 fields with turf
• Expand after school programs
• Summer programs for youth
• Lights on fields
• Make best fields possible so down the hill wants to come here
• Daycare & childcare facilities

4 – Do you have concerns about this project?

• Will the existing community support the project

1 – How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Silver Valley? 

• More jobs
• Economic Development
• More students, improved schools
• Increased housing
• Increased property value
• More revenue for area (County)
• Hopefully more deputies for Silver Valley

2 – What information do you want to know about this project?

• Will this increase train traffic in our area? (during and/or after construction)
• Can we get grade separations/ Who is responsible for these
• Does the Barstow have a Master Plan for the growth that will occur in the city
• Will BNSF provide derailment/hazmat training to our fire & sheriff personnel
• Will this change where/how many idle trains are parked in our area
• Request BNSF provide planning and construction updates to community

3 – What current Silver Valley facilities/programs/activities should be expanded or improved? What needs to be added?

• Need better communication between County regarding planning for growth in Silver Valley
• How will County handle population growth in this area
• Need a master plan for Silver Valley
• Daggett would like gather railroad items to promote railroad history (1860 rail station) to tourists
• Need coordination to go after more grants to help improve all three communities

4- Do you have any concerns about the project?

• Decrease the water available to our region
• Increase in vehicle traffic
• More train traffic
• More air pollution/dust

1 – How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Barstow? 

• Redefine who we are as community
• Positive economic impact
• Expand demographics
• Positive for ministry
• Opportunities to support (minister to) local families
• Allows perspective of hope for students to stay in Barstow
• Have future in Barstow
• Positive growth
• Great opportunities
• Modernize our City
• Can work to prepare to minister to incoming people
• This project will push us to improve communication throughout community

2 – What information do you want to know about this project?

• Timeline
• Percent direct verses indirect jobs
• Detail of design layout
• Will it be patrolled by BNSF police security 

3 – What current Barstow facilities/programs/activities should be expanded or improved? What needs to be added?

• Massive upgrade in school facilities
• High school and school district work with local businesses (job training programs)
• Christian counselor programs
• Safe community and family activities, programs
• Better communication between city government and churches on events
• Drug rehab programs and transitional housing
• More parks, improve parks
• Walking trails
• Splash Park

4- Do you have any concerns about the project?

• No comments received.

1 – How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Barstow? 

• Will help entire high desert
• Reduce truck traffic on I-15
• Increase population
• Create jobs
• Bring more cultural activities to Barstow
• More shopping opportunities
• Increase recreational activities
• Bring more medical doctors/specialists

2 – What information do you want to know about this project?

• How many permanent jobs in Barstow area
• Will more tracks be added & updated

3 – What current Barstow facilities/programs/activities should be expanded or improved? What needs to be added?

• More specialty doctors
• Increase vocational training
• Increased housing for homeless
• Expand senior center and nutrition program
• Recreational opportunities
• Hiking/walking trails
• More senior day trips
• Lower cost buses
• Bowling alley
• Expand bus service within city as well as to county areas (including Victor Valley)
• Regular trips to VA services in Victorville & San Bernardino
• Expand bus service hours to later in the evening
• Add Shuttle service
• More Senior housing
• Privately operated senior housing (some gated options)
• More Rehabilitation and Convalescent facilities
• Look in Senior Access Transportation Program (like in Los Angeles)

4- Do you have any concerns about the project?

• Will Barstow need to increase emergency personnel
• Will this increase the number of trains and train noise
• Safety – prevent derailments

1 – How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Barstow? 

• More money for the community, businesses, schools
• Promote growth
• Increase population
• More job options

2 – What information do you want to know about this project?

• (No one requested any additional information)

3 – What current Barstow facilities/programs/activities should be expanded or improved? What needs to be added?

• Job training
• Bowling alley
• More shopping
• Indoor pool
• More sports
• Safe places & activities youth
• Target
• Chick fil A
• Air soft
• Trampoline park
• Arcade
• More Basketball courts – outdoor & indoor
• Better parks
• Best Buy
• Costco
• Good indoor mall
• Reduce number of crack heads and tweakers by offering them help
• Too many smoke shops
• Homeless shelter
• Rehab centers
• New houses

4- Do you have any concerns about the project?

• Environmental impacts
• Employees may not want to live here

1 – How do you think the BNSF BIG project can benefit Barstow? 

• Increase population
• Increase job applicants
• Improve schools
• Shared school facilities
• More quality housing
• Increase revenues
• More youth sport teams

2 – What information do you want to know about this project?

• How are you expanding the electrical grid
• Explore opportunities for collaboration between the Army & the BIG project

3 – What current Barstow facilities/programs/activities should be expanded or improved? What needs to be added?

• Rail spur
• Shared CTE training
• Chick fil a
• Higher end shopping
• Target
• Trader Joes
• Dave & Busters
• Medical Specialties
• Dental
• Maintain Mannix Trail (Railroad siding)
• More public transportation with later operating hours
• Expand childcare

4- Do you have any concerns about the project?

• Labor
• Housing construction lag/shortage
• Power shortages
• More homeless
• Derailments