This is a letter that I wrote about a 1 1/2 years ago
Submitted by scharton on Sat, 06/10/2006 - 13:32.
Today's article in The Bee reagarding the Hotel Fresno, remided me of this old letter, and I thought some of you downtown/preservation weirdos might enjoy it. I know that there are new owners working on the HF, so it's not as pertinent, and maybe there are other approaches that some of you'd choose. It was meant more as a piece to raise options and thoughts. I don't know if the Mayor ever read it, I've never had a conversation with him. Craig
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Mayor Autry, I believe in your abilities.
I believe that you could save the Hotel Fresno (or the Crest Theater, Liberty Theater or any other significant historic structure).
I believe that you could form a non-profit corporation, which could own the Hotel (but would not be exempt from property taxes).
I believe that you could use your network to raise funds to restore the hotel.
I believe that you could work with local contractors and the building trades to contribute labor and materials.
I believe that you could motivate people from the faith community to get involved.
I believe that you could work with the Redevelopment Agency to acquire this property and to contribute it to the non-profit ownership entity. I believe that they might also invest the tax increment into the project for the next ten years or so.
I believe that you could work with our Sacramento delegation to find any historic restoration resources. Proposition 40 funds have one more round next year.
I believe that you could work with our congressional representatives to ensure tax credits, workforce training funds, CDBG, HUD and/or HHS dollars could be contributed to the effort.
I believe that you could attract local banks to participate in this project, with shared-risk.
I believe that you could contact people who operate historic hotels who could advise a local group of investors on an operational plan for the hotel.
I believe that you could use local business resources to re-open a restaurant, a shop, and the Tiki Room bar.
I believe that you could get celebrities to come to town for the grand re-opening of Fresno's only real opportunity to have an historic hotel.
I believe that you could ignite the enthusiasm of the community (like no one else could) for historic preservation and the revitalization of the Fulton District. I believe that you have the ability to use a project like this, to show Fresno how they can pull together, to accomplish anything!
Historic preservation and authentic revitalization require a great deal of creativity and stubbornness. I would be happy to contribute these abilities to this effort, if they would be helpful.
no you are not. i feel it is a shame that any of our old buildings were destroyed or merely left to deteriorate. i believe that fresno has lost much of its original charm but that is is not too late to restore what is left.
You are right, and not alone
There are policy decisions which progressive and thoughtful cities make to protect their historic buildings, charm, character and heirtage Other than in the Tower District they do not exist here.
Craig
Fresno: Garden City under the Sierra Nevadas
"Revitalization?"
Am I the only one who sees the slow, yet methodical changes to our historic buildings? Our older neighborhoods? Walls taken down and put back with inferior materials. Doors, windows switched. Take a good look. Better yet, try to find vintage photographs - the Tower Dist. is a classic example.
Re: Hotel Fresno Organ
The organ is visible in this earlier photo, which makes me think that there were fireplaces on both sides of the room, but only one organ. Also note the two paintings next to the organ, in both this 1918 shot and the 1950's shot.
further organ grinding
If the shots above are earlier and later, (and they are of the same wall,)
-the 'balcony,' area above the hearth was sealed, filled with organ guts, (possibly contained the keyboard ops off to a side, in one of the rooms?)
--the fireplace was rendered for decoration only. (mantlepiece retained.)
--and the fountain (centre court) is now gone.
--maybe they were trying to go from 'courtyard' to 'ballroom' motif. -and the organ was used for background music.
(pull the furniture and you got 'em hoofin' at the Hotel Fresneaux.)
Famous for its Hospitality
Broadway used to to Highway 99, right through Downtown Fresno. That's before it was redeveloped in oblivion.
Hotel Fresno Sign
Hotel Fresno in the 1950's
whoah
--that's the place we rode past on the last leg of Bike Hop, one rider asked what it was and I jokingly called it an old Tower Records... --I had no idea that the building was once so beautiful.
---The whole thing is surrounded by a sea of macadam, (which is really sad.)
regarding the pipe organ, (the rectangular 'boxes) next to the Pipes on either sides would have provided access for the breathing apparatus.
-What is kind of wild, though is the hearth directly under it, (the heat from the flues -as well as the smoke, would have played havoc on the thing, --I'm curious as to how often it needed to be tuned, -as well as it's pitch --and how frequently it would have to have been repaired -due to the (heat,) damage.
Re: Hotel Fresno Pipe Organ
That would be a pipe organ on the wall. Here's a before and after shot of the exterior for those who might not know which building we're talking about.
what's on the wall?
It looks like the pipes for an organ?
Thanks for the cool pics. I forget that many of the folks roaming this FF site might not even know what the Hotel Fresno is, where it is, or why anyone cares. Now they know!
Craig
What is an authentic community?
1950's era Hotel Fresno Lobby
They "modernized" it in the late 50's, but it still had more class than any current hotel in Fresno.
Hotel Fresno Lobby
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