‘A new lease on life for this building’: Former Bitwise building to become site for charter school
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — In May 2023, Bitwise Industries furloughed all 900 of its employees at its six locations, including in Bakersfield, leaving the promising future its 18th Street building dim. But in a matter of months, this same building will be occupied by students.
“It is very sad that Bitwise wasn’t able to live out its mission,” executive director of nonprofit LinkEd Public Schools said. “This is sort of a new lease on life for this building though where it will still be used for social good, it will still be a space of education and innovation.”
Kendrick oversees Central Academy of Arts and Technology, or CAAT, the new tenants of the building formerly leased by Bitwise. CAAT is a TK-8 charter school with plans to expand to high school.
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After the collapse of Bitwise, the building owners hired Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Real Estate agency. Executive Director Jeff Andrew said the firm completed the deal with the charter within 30 days.
“They felt like that was something that was needed in downtown, and they felt like that was something that would enhance Bakersfield,” said Andrew.
The building has spaces for classrooms, an outside space, a slide, and even an arcade.
President of the LinkEd board David James says the building couldn’t be a more perfect fit for the innovative charter.
“It’s an amazing building, they spared no expense, this is a top-notch building it’s in the middle of downtown, and we always wanted to be in downtown. It will fit the needs of a school in an amazing way,” James said.
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The charter school will enroll around 50 kids per grade level and plans to open in August. But the school’s goals come with controversy. The Kern County Superintendent of Schools is facing a lawsuit by the Dolores Huerta Foundation for approving the charter. Kendrick said her focus remains on opening the charter.
“We believe that sort of the future of our community is on the line here and that we need to be preparing students to be the leaders, the makers, and the creators of the future of the central valley,” Kendrick said.
17 News reached out to the Kern County Superintendent of Schools for comment on the charter. A spokesperson for KCSOS said: “There is current litigation involving the opening of CAAT. For that reason, we will not be commenting until that is resolved.”
For more information on CAAT go here.
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