Kern Street Revitalization Project

     Proposal for the Kern Street redevelopment project

      and the Fulton Mall

History of Downtown, what happened and why it has failed.  Downtown began dieing when the transit system was stopped.

The missing piece of all the Downtown attempts to recreate a vibrant commerce hub is the mobility component which makes it convenient and easy to get around.  In the early 1930s the transit system was removed.  That piece has never been replaced.

In the early 1930’s Fresno’s phenomenal growth stopped.  As you study the old pictures and maps, Fresno was designed as a big city destination.  Fresno County was the Ag center of the universe.  The private hundred million dollar Edison hydro-electric facility that fed LA power was built here in Fresno county in the early 1900’s.  Fresno was huge.  Doorway to three National Parks, half-way between LA and SF, close to the mountains, a couple hours from the ocean; and it is conveniently located in the center of the State. 

CTDC will help to replace the vital piece that once made Fresno a vibrant commerce hub.  This is implemented with the transit link of Kern Street’s revitalization and connecting it to the Fulton Mall.

Proposed JPod transit network:

This map is an example of the Intelligent Transportation Corp’s integrated personal automated transportation network system.  This network could be built within a relatively short period of time; forecasted at 18 months by Intelligent Transportation Corp.  This automated network of convenient and accessible points of pedestrian connectivity provides the most inexpensive and cost-effective use of downtown mobility. 

The necessity of a mobility component is what it brings to downtown Fresno.  By providing pedestrian access this system draws value to the Downtown Real Estate Market.  People bring income to the Fulton Mall businesses and generate taxable income for the City.  It is reasoned that a portion of the capital expense to build the transit be funded by capturing a portion of the increased property values.

Conclusion  ---  The City of Fresno’s recognition that the “status-quo isn’t working” is significant for the necessity of change.  City Hall’s resolution to move ahead with the Kern Street revitalization demonstrates a determined effort towards a thriving Downtown.   This presentation is evidence that the private sector is involved in seeing Fresno’s appearance again on the world stage as a destination location.

CTDC is currently engaged in attracting interested parties and additional financial investors to team-up in advancing the City’s effort of Downtown revitalization.  We welcome participation that will raise Central California's quality of life to enable Fresno to once again be a destination location.