Fresno leaders need public’s ideas for how to spend $250 million to improve downtown | Opinion
Want to help the community? Listen to residents.
We should all celebrate that Fresno is expected to receive a $250 million investment. Credit to the local elected officials and state leaders who made this happen. This is clearly a significant amount of money, but we can’t afford to squander this opportunity to create one healthy Fresno that works for all families.
Most of these resources must be invested into communities that require the most assistance. For too long, our city has ignored, neglected and disrespected legacy neighborhoods in downtown, south and central Fresno. In other words, communities of color are always told to wait their turn, their moment will come, be patient.
Well, the time is now and the resources are there. It’s time to invest in the neighborhoods that need it most. Where to begin? For starters, no one knows what their community needs better than the folks who live there. So, listen to residents who demand quality and stable housing, a secure water supply and dependable and reliable mass transportation options that connect them to all corners of the city.
Remember, only the first $50 million is guaranteed and it’s being given without strings. In order to hold these elected officials accountable in a transparent process, it is imperative for the members of these low-income communities to be heard. Why is this so important? In the city of Fresno, economically disadvantaged communities fall victim to redlining, gentrification, economic housing displacement and homelessness. It’s being going on for years and it needs to stop now.
Mayor Jerry Dyer said he would engage with downtown Fresno residents to invest the first $50 million. Let’s hold him accountable. There is no actual guarantee that the other $200 million will come, so it is exceedingly important to note that we cannot waste this first $50 million.
Regarding the budget that the city recently passed, City Councilman Mike Karbassi said in a news report, “What this budget will show you is that it meets the needs of so many different groups of all seven pockets of this city.”
This is yet to be seen, but Councilman Karbassi can support this statement by putting this money to work in the “pockets” of the city that have been left behind.
There has been a lot of talk in the last several years regarding the importance of inclusion. The wealthy and well connected always have a seat at the table. Communities of color need to take a seat. Economically disadvantaged communities need to be included in the discourse and decisions that impact them.
Year after year, our communities become a bit more stratified because there has been no rapport or trust emanating from the officials following a complete lack of community inclusion and transparency. The lack of inclusion signifies marginalization in conjunction with dehumanization. Once again, accountability needs to be implemented in full effect.
To be inconsiderate of downtown Fresno’s residents who strive rigorously to make ends meet is indicative of the injustice and inequality they are forced to endure. We’re talking about revitalizing downtown, but the $50 million-dollar question is who benefits from the revitalization? The answer is it must be families. It can’t be parking structures to serve high-speed rail.
Our elected officials have a golden opportunity to make investments driven by the people and for the people. People and families are partners in this process and will serve as the appropriate check and balance this situation needs.
I encourage city leaders to make critical assessments of the issues impacting the downtown community and listen to the folks who live there. The state gave these funds with no accountability or oversight. Without inclusion, transparency, and accountability, you cannot hope to aid those truly in need.
