JOHN OSTLUND: Candidates: Respect downtown

Published online on Saturday, Mar. 01, 2008

"Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated."

-- Mark Twain

For decades, I've argued against the sentiment, "downtown is dead," but never has this tired refrain been more befuddling than now.

After nearly a quarter-century of neglect, Fresno's downtown has been buzzing with activity and new development for the past seven years. There's every reason to believe that during the next seven years, downtown will be among the most exciting places in the Valley.

The image of Fresno as a whole is greatly impacted by the status of downtown. This area should instill an overwhelming source of pride in Fresnans. So my question for the field of candidates for mayor and Fresno City Council is this: What are your plans to build on the progress we've made and continue the momentum in downtown?

Dynamic vision for downtown

We need civic leaders with both a dynamic vision for downtown's future and the dedication to push plans through the bureaucratic tedium. Not to put too fine a point on it, but voters deserve more than platitudes.

We'd like to hear specifics. What are your ideas, and how will they be paid for?

There's plenty upon which to build. During the past five years, more than $1 billion has been invested in the redevelopment of downtown. The anchor of this revitalization is Chukchansi Park, which opened the eyes of many to the potential of the area.

The nationally renowned developer, Forest City Enterprises, has its sights set on adding homes, stores and a park just south of the stadium and have begun the environmental study for this exciting, master-planned development. And if you haven't been downtown lately, you may not know that Kern Street is being turned into a sports-themed corridor leading to Chukchansi Park. Great stuff.

By the end of the year, construction will begin on the Legacy Downtown project, which will include a public ice rink, urban lofts, commercial space and patio-dining areas next to Selland Arena. This four-acre project just east of Selland is four months ahead of schedule and will be finished in July 2009. Kudos to city staff.

Developer Reza Assemi has given us reason to view these housing plans with optimism. Assemi's Vagabond Lofts project has been an unqualified success, and his H Street Lofts appear headed for another big downtown win. His work in the burgeoning Cultural Arts District is further evidence that we've begun a downtown revival.

Will Dyck is another young developer with vision. He has invested significantly in downtown with his Warehouse Row project. This 100,000 square feet of retail and office space will be among the higher profile restorations in downtown Fresno when completed, especially for people arriving by Amtrak.

Since the downtown stadium was completed, roughly $950 million has been invested in everything from the privately funded projects like the new Security Bank Tower to the new federal and state courts buildings. Our Fresno Convention Center and Community Regional Medical Center have expanded, and the Crescent Building is full of retailers.

Those aren't the only projects under way. Others include the Hobbs-Parsons building on Tulare and H streets, the Groge building on Van Ness and Inyo streets, the original Casablanca location on Tuolumne and M streets, among others.

Plenty of work to do

Even with all of this activity, there is plenty of work left to do. We need more housing downtown, and retailers will follow these new rooftops wherever they are built. Additional entertainment venues should be close behind, and we'll need plentiful and affordable parking.

The connection between a vibrant downtown and a vibrant economy can't be overemphasized. The two go hand-in-hand. Downtown development will dramatically increase our city's property and sales tax revenues as empty buildings and vacant lots are turned into more valuable homes and bustling businesses.

So as Fresno's political candidates map out their plans for our city, I hope downtown will be high on their list of priorities. As a private citizen, what you can do is ask them about their plans to move downtown forward.

We have a lot to be proud of and, while I'm excited that downtown has made significant strides in recent years, we must work harder than ever to continue making progress.