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Why Not Downtown???
- Mar 02 2012
- 1
Just the other day, I invited one of my cousins to attend the ArtHop event happening downtown. When the word downtown entered the conversation, her response was, “I am not going to downtown at night!” I then asked, “Why?” She replied, “Because I am afraid of getting robbed.” I responded with, “When was the last time you visited downtown Fresno?” She said, “Like 15 years ago”. Every person I invited to check out the events happening downtown, or a special place that recently opened, made the same perception. Sadly, these folks have not been to downtown for at least the past 5 years and have not experienced the various changes.
In fact, downtown Fresno’s crime rate is much lower. Honestly, I personally had the same perception as anyone else complaining about the whole robbery situation. After attending ArtHop, visiting various locations and events downtown, I found it the safest and friendliest place to be in Fresno, California. I mean I walked alone at 9:00 at night from the Fresno Brewing Company located on the Fulton Mall to my car that was parked on Tulare and Van Ness without a problem. I did not witness any violence or suspicious activities. Everyone that I came across was very friendly, which made me feel welcomed.
I do not see any reason why people would not come to downtown Fresno. I think people should stop having negative perceptions until they actually make a visit and explore what beauty downtown Fresno has brought compared to 20-30 years ago. If you are afraid, then take a few friends out with you for a drink at Bricks, the Fresno Brewing Co., Haufbrau, or dine in the various local restaurants such as Sushi Hana, Tokyo Garden, Mediterranean Grill & Café, or Club One Casino and get a feel of the downtown atmosphere. Do not just sit around at home and make assumptions until you experience it!
1 Comment(s) for "Why Not Downtown???"
The downtown Fulton Mall has many things to offer for the city of Fresno, and yet, the majority of people fail to see its value. Many blame it’s enclose structures and others blame the pedestrians, and in the end came down to security. In order to revitalize downtown and the Fulton Mall, many representatives of downtown are currently seeking to rewrite its policies and open streets to the public. With this plan, activities within Fulton may slow or cease for a while; however, we hope that the change would draw in more crowds similar to Tower District, and help promote downtown Fresno to new heights.
When asks to respond to Fulton Mall, a friend whom wishes to stay anonymous states:
“When I thought of Fulton Mall, I thought of a place with no security. I don’t feel safe since it’s very close up in one area. There are also a lot of homeless people roaming that area which made me uncomfortable walking around the stores since they would come and ask for money. With this, it make me feel unsafe because since the area is close up, that they can pull me into a corner or tight space and assault me.”
It would be nice to see a change in downtown Fresno and revitalize Fulton Mall back to its peak as it once was the busiest part of Fresno. However, changing the layout of the mall may destroy the cultural interactions within it. There are people whom depend on the mall to run errands usually by walking through/across it. Opening up more streets may impact their ways of dealing with everyday tasks. In short, a change to the mall will improve Fresno downtown and attract more crowds and businesses; however, the fact that the people whose already using the mall for errands means Fulton is serving some purposes. Re-constructing Fulton and opening its streets will present obstacles for those already living and walking around it, and impact the cultural interactions and activities between the pedestrians around the mall.