City of Fresno takes on $100M in debt to repave dilapidated roads. Here’s where
The Fresno City Council adopted a $2.36 billion budget on Tuesday, and also agreed to accept a $100 million debt to pave city streets.
The council unanimously agreed to Mayor Jerry Dyer’s spending plan and “Pave More, Pay Later” initiative.
“Even in the face of financial challenges, we’ve delivered a budget that is both balanced and responsive to our community’s needs,” Dyer said. “With a clear vision, creative solutions and bold goals, I’m confident that Fresno is on a promising path forward.”
For the bond, 75% will be divided evenly among the seven council districts for the city’s deteriorating roads. The rest can be used on sidewalks, medians and other street-adjacent spending.
The city has a backlog in deferred street maintenance to the tune of about $1.2 billion, according to Public Works Director Scott Mozier. That’s about twice as much as three years earlier.
The projects eligible for spending from the bond are those with at least a 30-year lifespan, Dyer said. The $100 million is expected to be spent in the next two years, but the first payment isn’t due until 2029.
Here are some notable areas funded in the new budget:
- $900 million for 440 capital projects.
- $1.5 million for the Eviction Protection Program.
- $1.6 million for construction at Quigley Park.
- $1.3 million for a left turn phase at Bullard and Forkner avenues.
- $1.2 million in concrete repair from Mckinley and Blackstone avenues to Olive and Van Ness avenues.
- $1 million for work at Radio Park.
- $1 million for Storyland.
- $800,000 for concrete repair for neighborhoods near Shields and Van Ness avenues and Clinton and Palm avenues.
- $540,000 for Les Kimber Park.
- $400,000 to design a new park at Bullard Avenue and Veterans Boulevard.
- $250,000 for Advanced Peace, an anti-violence nonprofit.
- $250,000 for the BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center, which serves Black women, babies and families.
- $207,000 for Logan Park.
- $100,000 to fund LGBTQ nonprofit grants.
- $50,000 for Valley Caregiver Resource Center, which serves senior citizens and their caregivers.
- $50,000 for the Resiliency Center of Fresno, a mental health clinic.
This story was originally published June 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM.
