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Developer's Infill Bet Sparks Renaissance in Old 'Mid State Bowl' Neighborhood
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
March 19, 2021

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A supermarket is buzzing. Lines continue at a Starbucks drive-thru. And, the sound of hammers can be heard as construction continues at the Mid-State Plaza.

The relatively new shopping development at Clinton Avenue, just east of Highway 99, sits at where the classic Mid-State Bowl used to be located. The old bowling alley may be long gone, but developer Mehmet Noyan and his partners took a chance on fulfilling an unmet need.

“I’m a shopping center guy,” said Noyan, managing partner of Noyan Frazier Development. “I’m an infill guy. I like to find a property like this that’s surrounded by existing demographics, not betting on the growth or the future.”

While others may have passed because of its proximity to railroad tracks and in an underserved part of the city, Noyan jumped.

“I’m an infill guy. I like to find a property like this that’s surrounded by existing demographics, not betting on the growth or the future.”Mehmet Noyan, developer

“Some might view that or perceived that is maybe not a desirable area. I look at it as an opportunity because it was near the freeway and there were not a lot of goods and services in this area,” Noyan said.

The shopping center is anchored by a Vallarta supermarket, in place since 2016. Two new buildings — at a total of 10,000 square feet — are under construction and will allow more tenants to join a WSS shoe store, Starbucks and Panda Express at the location.

Noyan estimates his company has invested $10 million in the project.

Noyan would not reveal who might move in, but says it will be used for restaurants and office space. There will be plenty of space of outdoor dining, an idea Noyan thought of before the COVID pandemic.

Vallarta anchors the Mid-State Plaza at Clinton and Highway 99 (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

Noyan Bullish on West Fresno

Noyan noticed improvements in the neighborhood once the Mid State Plaza opened. Gas stations across the street, once independently branded, linked up with more familiar national names.

“They’ve cleaned up the stores. The apartments that are adjacent to us have cleaned up. So there’s been a private redevelopment as a result of this project,” Noyan said.

Johnny Noyan, the company vice president and manager of the property, expects other developers to follow.

“We’re developing expensive buildings in the area. What that’s telling people is the market can support these types of rents, these types of buildings. You can come out into these infill areas, do a brand new development, and you are going to be able to bring in those tenants that you’re going after,” he said.

The next area of town primed for growth is southwest Fresno, the Noyans said, thanks to Fresno City College’s satellite campus now under construction.

More buildings are going up at the Mid-State Plaza in west Fresno. (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

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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

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