Published
1 year agoon
Mayor Jerry Dyer told an audience at Chukchansi Park that Fresno can become a vibrant, prosperous city for all “but only if we work together as One Fresno can we make that happen.”
In his State of the City address on Thursday evening, the mayor highlighted his accomplishments after 17 months in office and continued to strike the “One Fresno” chord synonymous with his administration.
In a half-hour speech on the first-base side of the baseball stadium — mostly in the shade — Dyer talked about successes in reducing homelessness and cleaning the city of trash and crime. He also shared his outlook on housing and economic development.
Dyer highlighted his Project Off-Ramp initiative, in which homeless people are moved from highway embankments into temporary shelters.
“We will make sure this is a new norm for the city of Fresno,” Dyer said. He wants to extend that plan to canal banks, parks, neighborhoods, and business districts.
On Tuesday, the state told city officials that Fresno would receive $13.4 million to convert the Parkway Inn between Olive and Belmont avenues near Highway 99 into 62 units of transitional housing for homeless people.
In addition to enabling the city to buy the motel, the funding will provide supportive services such as employment readiness, educational support, and behavioral health services.
Recently, Dyer was criticized for touting a Los Angeles Times story calling Fresno the nation’s hottest housing market because of the city’s soaring rents and home prices. He incorporated that critique in his remarks Thursday.
“Well, that is good news for some, which shows people want to live in Fresno. The bad news is, housing costs are pricing Fresno residents out of the market,” Dyer said.
The mayor recently unveiled a One Fresno Housing Strategy to provide “a roadmap as we pursue innovative ways to expedite housing for all income levels in our city.”
Related Story: Efforts to End Fresno Housing Crisis Underway While Council Sorts Out Plan
The State of the City event, hosted by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, moved to the evening after a breakfast speech last year.
Full Circle Brewery took advantage by brewing a special El Jefe lager, with a cartoon image of Dyer on the can. The beer received positive reviews from attendees. It was described as a light crisp beer. El Jefe is Spanish for “the boss” or “the chief.”
Food vendors were hand, and Grumpy Burger Lady’s received rave reviews for its gourmet hamburger selection.
Fresno City Councilman Tyler Maxwell introduced Dyer. He joked about the age disparity.
Maxwell said it was unusual for a 30-year-old to introduce the mayor, especially someone “80-years old.”
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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