Fresno County Assessor-Recorder Paul Dictos is proud of what’s coming to downtown Fresno early in 2022.

The Recorder’s operations are moving into a remodeled 19,000 square-foot building the agency bought for $2.4 million in 2018.

Funds to buy and overhaul the former Noble Credit Union building came from a trust fund that receives $1 for every recorded document.

The building — constructed in 1974 — is at the southeast corner of Van Ness and Merced Street.

“I am excited because this allows us to improve our services,” Dictos told GV Wire. “The next time you need to get a copy of your vital records such as birth, death, or marriage certificate, record a map or sale of your property, you will find free parking next to the building and easy access for handicap services.”

Hall of Records Crowded, Little Parking

Dictos said it pains him to hear stories about residents parking five blocks away and getting parking tickets. Those needing documents also must trudge to the third floor at the Recorder’s current location inside the Hall of Records.

“Many (immigrant) families, when they get the birth certificate for their first child, everybody comes because it’s a celebration. We serve 400 people a day, and it’s just too crowded.”

There will be 25 parking stalls on the property. A separate parking lot at Merced and L streets has 42 spaces.

In addition, the new building will offer drive-thru pick-up for people needing documents. Utilizing the drive-thru, Dictos said, will simply require notifying the office ahead of time via the department’s website.

“I believe we are the first in the state to provide a drive-thru service,” Dictos said.

Dictos Envision Other Recorder Locations

Dictos was elected Assessor-Recorder in 2010 and his current term expires after the 2022 elections.  But he says he has no intention of slowing down.

Dictos is mulling the opening of Assessor-Recorder’s offices in north Fresno and the west county city of Coalinga. Another possibility is securing a separate building to house the department’s extensive archives. He says there’s amply funding in the trust to expand the department’s outreach.

Paul Halajian Architects of Clovis is making the renovation designs.