A new Fresno Housing development, called 'The Monarch,' is providing 57 affordable units in downtown Fresno's Chinatown area. Before its grand opening, the building was at full capacity. Fresno Housing received over 3,000 applications from prospective tenants. The building is named after the monarch butterfly. Fresno Housing officials say the...
Who’s Got the Best Shot at Operating Fresno’s Tower Theatre?
With more than two years of controversy, protests, court cases, a bidding war with a local church, and concerns about its upkeep, Fresno's historic downtown Tower Theatre is set to come under new management. After purchasing the venue for $6.5 million, the city sought proposals from groups interested in managing,...
Fresno Lands $5 Million to Rebuild, Beautify ‘Left Behind’ Neighborhoods
In little more than a month, the city of Fresno landed a $5 million state grant that will bring street cleanups, greenery, and art murals to Fresno neighborhoods needing a facelift. In a news conference Tuesday morning at Romain Park, city leaders announced the speedy funding from the state's...
‘Not Above Accountability’ — Inspections Target Abandoned City-Owned Buildings
Enforcement of the Fresno vacant building ordinance started with an inward look. The Gottschalks building downtown, vacant for the better part of 35 years and owned by the city, was one of the first buildings inspected. The ordinance, approved by the city council last month, went into effect on Saturday....
City Gives $25,000 to Restaurants for Curbside Dining Areas
Patio dining is coming to five downtown Fresno restaurants and breweries, with owners hoping the new seating option can help pull them out of the hole created by the COVID-19 shutdown. The strong possibility that Fresno County businesses will fall back into the state's most restrictive COVID tier next week...
Fresno Demolished Its Historic Library. Will Clovis Follow Suit?
The 106-year-old Carnegie Library building in Clovis could be demolished to make way for new offices for the city's Chamber of Commerce. It is the last remaining library building in Fresno County out of four originally built with grants from industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie at the turn of the...
COVID-19 Can’t Keep Fresno From Honoring Juneteenth
Just because the traditional Fresno Juneteenth celebrations were canceled, didn't mean people couldn't party and protest. In a slightly condensed version, hundreds gathered in the triple-digit heat at Cultural Arts Park on Friday night to dance, mingle and protest. The refreshed Black Lives Matter movement took center stage, as speakers...
Fresno ‘Makers’ Have Joined the Battle Against the COVID-19 Virus
An innovative “maker space” in downtown Fresno is joining the fight against COVID-19. Members of The Pi Shop, a product incubator for local entrepreneurs, developed a high-quality face shield for medical personnel on the front lines of the battle. Now, they’re able to make hundreds of them a day to...
Owner: Fresno Foxes Pro Soccer Team Is Folding
Fresno's professional soccer club announced it is folding after failing to secure a stadium. Fresno FC, nicknamed the Foxes (and alternately Los Zoros), finished its second season in the United Soccer League — American pro soccer's top minor league. According to league rules, teams need to play in a soccer-specific...
Finally, There's an App for Downtown Fresno Parking
Parking in downtown Fresno is finally making the leap into the smartphone era. City Hall says drivers can now use a mobile phone app to locate and pay for metered parking downtown. The ParkMobile app is live and will soon offer online access to over 2,000 metered spaces, according to...