One of Fresno’s biggest incoming infill projects got a new anchor — adding a senior medical clinic to the housing and commercial center planned for Jensen and Maple avenues.

Business leaders, politicians, and many from the Southeast Asian community came out to a southeast Fresno vacant lot to cut the ribbon on BoldAge PACE, celebrating the agreement to bring the clinic to the 13-acre mixed-use center.

Mary Austin, CEO of BoldAge PACE, told GV Wire the 15,000 square-foot facility will have not only provide “head-to-toe” medical service, and free rides, but will also be an activity center for people age 55 and older.

“People are getting older, living longer with chronic disease, so folks, as they get older, are living with really complicated conditions,” Austin said. “More and more, it’s hard to access the services they need. Transportation is a big problem for many people, much less just being able to find the care, afford the care — especially quality, comprehensive, coordinated care.”

Harry Dhillon, co-founder of BDM Builders, developer of the project, said bringing the senior center aligns with what he heard from people in the Calwa community.

“This is planned to start commencing this year. In addition to that, we are targeting 151 apartments and then in addition to some medical offices, amenities for the community,” Dhillon said. “When we started the journey, the Calwa community was very clear what they would like. They didn’t have all those amenities which are available in other parts of the city.”

The team has begun preleasing with retail names such as Starbucks, Wing Stop, and Teriyaki Madness signing deals, Dhillon said.

Senior Clinic Will Be First, Followed By Retail, then Housing: Dhillon

The Fresno clinic will be BoldAge’s first foray into the western U.S., Austin said. They have locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina, and New Jersey. Facilities have a full clinic with nurse practitioners and doctors, a pharmacy for medication, and an activity center. Members also get free rides.

“It’s like everything under one roof,” Austin said. Austin said if successful here, they would like to expand to other areas in the West.

Dhillon said the senior center would be the first phase with construction starting this year. The group first announced the Jensen Landing project five years ago. Since then, they’ve finished underground prep, Dhillon said. They also built a gas station at the corner.

Dhillon said construction on the housing portion depends on market demand.

“As the demand comes, we are building the vertical structures,” Dhillon said.