The city of Bakersfield has begun a series of workshops to get the public’s input on the new high speed rail station planned for downtown.

Residents came to Tuesday afternoon’s gathering at Bakersfield College to voice their concerns about pedestrian safety and how the homeless population would be impacted once the rail system is built.

City of Bakersfield Development Director Doug McIsaac was at the event and thinks it is important to get the public’s take on the project because sometimes they can spot improvements or problems city planners did not notice.

People who cannot attend the workshops can submit their comments online at the website makingdowntownbakersfield.us.

The next workshops take place on these dates at these locations:

March 30:

Bike Bakersfield Headquarters, 1708 Chester Ave., 9:30-10:30a.m.

Golden Empire Transit, 1830 Golden State Ave., Noon-1p.m.

Downtown Business Association, City Centre Building, Boardroom 1A, 1300 17th St., 2:30-3:30p.m.

April 7:

Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, 1725 Eye St., Noon-1p.m.

Bakersfield Association of Realtors, 2300 Bahamas Dr., 2:30-3:30p.m.

Planning Commission, City Hall South Chambers, 1501 Truxtun Ave., 5:30p.m.

Kelli Forsch