The Bakersfield city council approved a request to re-zone a portion of central park in downtown Bakersfield Wednesday evening.
The area is slated to be used for a federal courthouse, but it's a project that has some builders fuming.
17's Tim Calahan spoke with local builder, and president of the Kern County Republican Assembly who said the project is not following protocol, and is illegal.
"This is only one step in the process. It's important for the people to know just how much waste of taxpayer dollars are going on in this city." said Ken Mettler.
The Federal General Services Administration is demanding the taxpayers of Bakersfield give away the space for free, which would be on the east side of the central park, and allow an outside building company oversee construction.
"I really do think the people of Bakersfield should just insist that the courthouse be downtown, and if it's not on my property it's ok." said Ed Wilson.
His property on 17th and 18th streets in downtown Bakersfield were one of three sites considered for the project.
But the city passed on his location, and one in southwest Bakersfield.
Ken Mettler told 17 news, in addition to losing revenue on the project, nearly 500-thousand dollars of taxpayer money was spent on a portion of the property in order to bring it up to federal code.
Money that could have been saved he said if the city had considered the other site downtown.
