The devil is always in the details and, in this case, vetted by poring over every line in the state budget.

And now that the California budget has been signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer can breathe a sigh of relief.

In the 2026-27 state budget is $100 million for downtown and Chinatown infrastructure. The allocation completes the $250 million Newsom promised several years ago.

Fresno received the first $50 million installment in the 2023-24 budget, but didn’t get the next $100 million until last year’s budget.

“This investment is changing the trajectory of Fresno,” Dyer said in a news release Tuesday. “Downtown Fresno and Chinatown will never look the same. We are building the foundation for thousands of new residents, new businesses, new jobs, and a downtown that is active, walkable, and ready for the future.”

The final allocation represents a major milestone in the city’s ongoing downtown efforts, the mayor said.

‘Investment Meets a City Ready to Build’

“This is what happens when state investment meets a city that is ready to build,” Dyer said. “We told the state we were shovel-ready, and Fresno has delivered. We have replaced century-old infrastructure, moved major projects into construction, and created the conditions for new housing and private investment to move forward.”

Two major housing projects expected to begin this summer include The Park at South Stadium and the Helm Building project.

The Park at South Stadium will bring a new eight-story, 174-unit mixed-income housing development near Chukchansi Park, while the Helm Building project will further advance adaptive reuse and housing development.

The city is also advancing two parking structures to bookend the Fulton corridor and support new housing, businesses, restaurants, events, and long-term downtown growth.

The $100 million allocation is expected to support the next phase of infrastructure improvements, including:

• Linear Park: Advancing acquisition, design, and implementation of a planned five-block linear park along the High-Speed Rail corridor to improve walkability, connectivity, shade, and public gathering space.
• Intermodal Transit Center: Moving forward planning, environmental review, and design for a future intermodal transit center to better connect rail, transit, shuttles, pedestrians, cyclists, and visitors.
• Stormwater Enhancements: Delivering stormwater infrastructure providing downtown with the ability to withstand heavy rain.
• Utility Upgrades: Continuing targeted utility improvements to support housing, mixed-use development, and private investment.
• Revolving Loan Fund: Expanding gap-financing tools to help move shovel-ready housing and mixed-use projects from entitlement to construction.

View a video of Dyer’s vision for downtown Fresno at this link.