After 20 years, Fresno shopping center is finally under construction. What took so long?
Plans for the Fancher Creek shopping center in southeast Fresno were first proposed in 2000. And now, 24 years later, the walls of the first two stores are finally going up.
Construction has started on Sprouts and Target.
Low gray walls are up at what will be Sprouts, closest to Clovis Avenue.
To the east, behind it, work has started on what will become Target. That store is across Tulare Avenue from the parking garage.
Fancher Creek Town Center is the first retail portion of the development, focusing on big-box stores. Mayor Jerry Dyer called it “River Park on steroids” earlier this year.
Another portion — similar to the lifestyle center in front of River Park’s theater — is planned in the coming years north of there and includes a movie theater.
Fancher Creek and River Park have the same property management company, Lance-Kashian & Co.
Sprouts is estimated to open its 25,650-square foot store in summer or early fall, according to the company.
Target’s 148,000-square-foot store is slated to open in October of next year, said Tracy Kashian, senior vice president of marketing and public relations.
What stores/restaurants are coming to Fancher Creek?
Businesses that are committed to opening at the center are:
- In-N-Out Burger
- Michaels
- PetSmart
Chipotle Mexican Grill and HomeGoods are still in lease negotiations.
Fancher Creek Town Center has been eagerly awaited by residents in the Sunnyside neighborhood, Sanger and other areas of southeast Fresno and Clovis. People often complain of a lack of a stores and restaurants without a long drive — and how long the project has taken to happen.
Said one Reddit.com commenter: “Bought my house in Jensen Clovis area in 2009, when all that was supposed to be happening soon… moved in 2020 and only the parking structures were being worked on. I mean, hopefully by 2025 it will be a reality…”
What took so long?
A recession. A pandemic. An environmental impact report process that took five or six years. The often sluggish pace of getting leases and permits approved. A focus on building another shopping center (Campus Pointe near Fresno State) with the same property manager. And the decision to build affordable housing first.
“Building a million square feet of shopping center/community, it takes much longer than people realize,” Kashian said. “We’re finally there.”
Housing was moved to a top priority because the city needed affordable housing, she said.
“Now we’re hot and heavy on the big-box retail,” Kashian said.
Fancher Creek housing
The project is already home to the Brandhaven affordable senior living apartments behind the parking garage. It’s 98% filled. The two buildings have 180 units each.
Affordable family housing at Sarah’s Court is also under construction. The first 120 units with two and three bedrooms are scheduled to open in December, Kashian said.
Another 120 apartments will come later.
Fancher Creek is designed to be a walkable and bike-friendly community where people can eat, sleep and play, all within 20 minutes.
There’s also a small park and a trail near the canal.
An extra lane and traffic light will be added to Clovis Avenue.
This story was originally published October 15, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
