Kern Health Systems is beginning construction on a new center that will offer services to 350,000 local Medi-Cal recipients.

Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh was one of several city leaders at Thursday’s groundbreaking on Buck Owens Boulevard and thinks the new location will be better for the community because it is more centrally located.

The 112,000 square foot building is set to open in 2019. It also feature environmentally friendly features like a storm water management sytsem and water-saving plumbing.

Kelli Pierce