The Fresno City Council decided Thursday to buy several properties at Blackstone and McKinley avenues, including a Dutch Bros and one of Fresno’s oldest auto shops, to make way for two underpasses.

To cross beneath the railroad tracks at that intersection, the city needs to use its eminent domain powers to acquire property. Negotiations to purchase those properties are ongoing, city staff say.

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An attorney for Greenway Auto Body at McKinley and Home avenues says that relocating is challenging because city officials changed what businesses they want on Blackstone Avenue in 2014.

“Trying to find comparable property and being able to relocate the property to another site is difficult, especially along the Blackstone corridor and near (Highway) 41 because of the rezoning that’s occurred in that area,” said Brady McGuinness, attorney for Joe Alanis, the owner of Greenway.

City Plans for Railroad Affect All Four Street Corners

The city has wanted to build underpasses beneath railroads for more than a decade. The train creates long delays for drivers and there have been four fatalities in the last 10 years because of the tracks.

Providing unabridged access beneath the two railroad crossings requires retaining walls on all four corners, according to Fresno city staff.

One of the retaining walls would interfere with Dutch Bros’ drive-thru, requiring the business to close, staff said during the presentation.

Dutch Bros’ Fresno franchisee was not available for comment for what will happen to the location near Fresno City College.

The $70 million to $80 million project will displace 27 businesses on 19 parcels and four residential homes, according to city staff in a previous interview. Staff expect acquisitions to continue for the rest of the year.

The city anticipates the project to wrap up by 2027.

2014 Vision for Blackstone an Obstacle to the Avenue’s Auto Shops

McGuinness said Alanis was not objecting to the project but finding a location for his business that started in 1962 — according to the Better Business Bureau — is difficult.

“There’s some unique issues that are involved with the relocation and sale of this property,” McGuinness said during the meeting.

In 2014, the city, under then-Mayor Ashley Swearengin, changed its vision for Blackstone Avenue. The General Plan called for businesses to be brought closer to the street, as opposed to being separated with parking lots. The design for Blackstone Avenue favored mixed-use businesses with retail on the ground floor and housing on top.

Since the change, Greenway Auto Body, like many other businesses, have been considered “legally noncompliant.”

AJ Rassamni, president of the Blackstone Merchants Association, said in a previous interview more than a dozen smog and auto shops have closed because of the changes.

He suggested at the time suspending the zoning changes to more easily allow businesses historically located on Blackstone Avenue to find property where patrons are more accustomed to visiting.

Councilmembers approved the actions with very little comment.

“I don’t think the council takes these items lightly,” said Fresno City Councilman Miguel Arias. “If the public doesn’t see any questions (it’s) because this project has been in the process for more than a decade and we have full confidence that staff has gone through every single procedural step.”