Construction is underway on City Lights, a planned 350,000-square-foot open-air retail destination in Northeast Bakersfield. The project is rising on the former East Hills Mall site at 3000 Mall View Road, marking the first tangible progress after years of stalled redevelopment efforts at the property. The development team has targeted Spring 2027 for the center’s opening.
The group behind City Lights includes Fresno-based Parnagian Capital Group, Southern California-based Stephen Zimmerman of ZDI and Los Angeles developer Michael Heslov. Together, they are leading the effort to reposition the long-dormant mall site into a contemporary retail environment aimed at serving residents in Northeast Bakersfield.
Leasing for City Lights is being led by Cushman & Wakefield professionals Duane Keathley and Vince Roche. According to the development team, they are in active discussions with national retailers that have expressed interest in securing space at the project. Specific tenants have not yet been announced, but leasing outreach is underway as vertical construction commences.
The broader project team includes several additional firms supporting design, construction and project management. Moorefield Construction is contributing to the construction effort, while Bickel Group Architecture is responsible for the architectural design of the open-air center. IMG Construction Management is providing construction management services, and civil engineering work is being handled by McIntosh & Associates.
Heslov described the development as a pivotal moment for the surrounding community, noting that City Lights is intended to answer long-standing demand for a modern, amenity-focused retail experience in Northeast Bakersfield. His comments underscore the shift from a long-vacant mall site to a new retail destination designed to re-engage both residents and national retailers.
A rendering released by the development team, courtesy of Bickel Group Architecture, illustrates the vision for the open-air center, reflecting a contemporary design approach for the former mall site. While detailed tenant lineups, project phasing and financing terms have not been disclosed, the launch of construction and the establishment of a defined opening timeline signal that the redevelopment is moving beyond the planning phase into execution.
