Is This Building Historic? Or Should It Be Demolished?

By David Taub, Senior Reporter

Published 7 years ago on

June 21, 2018

Update, 6/21/2018: The City Council pushed back making a decision on this item until an unspecified date in July. Councilman Steve Brandau said PG&E needed more time to respond to the city’s request to place the item on the Local Register of Historic Resources.
When the owners of the old Herndon Substation Control Building applied for a demolition permit, the city checked to see if there was any historical significance to the Art Deco style structure built in 1931.
To the chagrin of the owner, both the Fresno Historic Preservation Commission and city staff want to place it on the Local Register of Historic Resources.
That owner is PG&E.
The vacant building is at 743 N. Weber Ave., between Highway 99 and the San Joaquin River in northwest Fresno.
Preservationists say the building is historic because the power it generated supported the growth of the region and its architectural style is unique.
A study commissioned by PG&E disagrees, saying that the removal of most of the power-generating equipment eroded the building’s integrity of design and workmanship.
It is now up to the Fresno City Council to decide the building’s fate Thursday (June 21).

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David Taub,

Senior Reporter

Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email