The chains could be coming off a vacant downtown Fresno building.

After politics shut down the development of the abandoned Berkeley’s Department Store building — at 887 Fulton Street — the city has a new deal under consideration at Thursday’s Fresno City Council meeting.

The Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation wants to buy and renovate the building at Fulton and Kern streets.

“The FAHF is optimistic and hopeful that we can continue to expand our business services to our community and contribute to more economic activity in downtown Fresno,” said Dora Westerlund, FAHF president and CEO.

City documents reveal FAHF wants to develop the Berkeley Building “for office uses as an expansion of its mission to incubate and provide support services to small business.”

“If given the opportunity to develop in the Berkley building, we are looking forward to continue expanding our programs and services to better serve our community,” Westerlund said.

Technically owned by the Housing Successor to the Redevelopment Agency, the city council, acting as the Agency, is scheduled to vote on entering a Disposition and Development agreement with FAHF. The organization will have two years to finish construction.

Although the fair market value is listed at $81,000, the city is willing to part with the building for $1. FAHF would use a $3 million federal grant, and $750,000 of matching funds, to renovate. A few blocks away on Fulton Street, FAHF utilized federal grants to renovate the building that currently serves as its headquarters.

Previous Deal for Building Died

The Berkeley building, a two-story 11,250 square-foot mid-century modern next to the center field gate at Chukchansi Park, opened in 1960, but has long been vacant. It was designed by Fresno architect Alastair Simpson.

Developers Mehmet Noyan and Terance Frazier wanted to develop the block into a $32 million, mixed-use housing/retail development. The developers entered into a DDA with the city in 2014.

But various delays prevented any renovations and new building. The developers asked for another extension in 2022, but deal only received four votes from the city council when it needed five.

City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld said he problems with Frazier’s involvement based on his operations of city-owned Granite Park. Esmeralda Soria, then a councilmember, had a to recuse herself because of romantic partnership with Frazier. The two said they have married since.

Soria is now a state Assemblymember.

Noyan Frazier Capital, L.P. walked away from the project, allowing the city to place it back on the market.

Dyer Nominates Former Councilmember for Planning Commission

Wednesday is likely Brad Hardie’s last meeting as a Fresno planning commissioner. Mayor Jerry Dyer finally nominated a replacement on the board.

The city council will consider Dyer’s nominee, Linda Calandra on Thursday.

Calandra is a retired fundraiser for nonprofits, and a one-term Fresno city councilmember — serving District 2 from 1993 to 1997. She also worked eight years with the Foundation for Fresno County Public Library.

“As a former City Councilmember, she is aware of the importance of land use decisions and was involved in the City’s General Plan Update during her tenure as a Councilmember.  I am confident she will become a valued member of the Planning Commission,” Dyer told Politics 101.

Hardie, president of Regency Property Management, served as commissioner since 2018. His term expired in 2023, but city rules allow a commissioner to serve until a replacement is made. He will remain serving the city. The city council approved Hardie for the civil service board earlier this month.

The planning commission serves as Dyer’s voice on city land use matters. Although decisions on things like rezoning and permits are ultimately up to the city council, the mayor does not have veto matter on such issues.

If approved, Calandra would serve through June 30, 2027.