Karaoke at Chukchansi Casino with Len & Elaine: every Sunday 7 - 11 PM in the Casa de Fuego. This is a wonderful place for a performer to be seen and heard. Please dress appropriately. (Persons wearing tennis shoes, t-shirts, logos or caps will not be permitted into the room.)

If you love karaoke and the new hit show The Singing Bee, you have to check out i-Sing! A special Singing Bee version of i-Sing™ will be making its debut before the big holiday season. i-Sing™ is an interactive portable handheld karaoke player which allows its user to play music, display lyrics, sing, and record all at the same time! The best part is that it not only displays lyrics, but it drastically reduces/eliminates the lead vocals. You can also check out the New Lyric Creator Software for i-Sing all at www.i-Sing.com!!!!

I highly suggest hitting up Full Circle Brewery on Wednesday, May 30th at 5:30 to converse with individuals from the City about what projects they are currently working on, such as downtown, affordable housing, etc; and also to give them feedback on what needs to be addressed concerning these projects. It is really going to be a great avenue to start a conversation with the City on planning related projects and also an opportunity to see where you might be able to get personally involved on the implementation of these projects.

For more info, go to: http://www.creativefresno.com/general-plan-2025-outreach-creating-better...

And really, what could be more fun than having a beer (or hard cider in my case) while talking about urban and regional planning?

What will it take for downtown to revitalize?

1) 24/7 people LIVING downtown. That's beginning to happen--40 years late due to the clods at City Hall focusing on the wrong stuff.

2) With people actually living downtown, then there'll be customers for any business that might want to come.

3) Get some successful businesses--unhampered by the city government Christianists--going, more will come.

4) More businesses, more folks coming to take a look if the City doesn't chase them away, perhaps more people choosing to build downtown.

The DTA just completed their tree pruning project and will now begin the Burst of Color Flower planting program. The Mall is indeed starting to beautify. Thank you for noticing the emerging glory ;)

I am presently and actively heading up a commitee addressing these very needs. One of our initiatives are to exponentially increase the art on the mall. Lit art displays in the vacant and opccupied windows facing the Mall and large scale murals and banners on the large building sides, like the newly installed Saroyan Theatre pieces. In assessing the costs of such things I wanted to give you a little cost reference.

The Mall has over 20 fountains and art sculptures. In a recent cost analysis to rennovate just one of the larger fountains, the estimated expense was in excess of $160k. My point...these things are a lot more expensive to fix than I would have ever imagined.

I met with the Exec. Director of the Downtown Visalia regarding their PBID. All their diagnol store front parking and parking structures are free. She does not like it. They lose a lot of potential revitalization funds, and because folks park in a spot and leave their cars for long periods of time, she incated it acts as a barrier for some folks coming Downtown because they get frustrated at not being able to find a spot. The ideal figure I was told for successful Downtowns was metered parking, at 85% utilization rate.

I don't know if I have my mind wrapped around this concept yet as I have been very vocal, as have the Downtown Fresno merchants, about parking meters keeping many people away from Fresno's Downtown. But these comments made by a revitalization professional, overseeing a successful Downtown were very compelling and something to consider.

Ok I think I see. The canal/lake is not a bad project necesarily, it is bad if it is not in unision with other planned projects. Piecemeal is bad...part of a strategic plan not so bad.

Would the canl/lake be considered part of the process if it was linked with the Forrest City South of Ballpark development which the canal is to travel to and from, Armenian Town, Chinatown and the financially troubled Running Horse developments? I do not know if these are part of one big vision, but if they are, would they qualify as good revitalization practice ? It seems as if most folks just say it is a stupid project, but I can pencil out numerous ways it can generate economic benefit. However, if it is just this project, then let's figure out to do next...I most definitely see your point. Having the macro plan would be ideal, if not essential.

You are correct about OKC. They bundled the 9 big ticket items the Panal and community desired the most and then pitched them all as the justifictation of the MAPS program's 1 cent sales tax increase. They were definitely part of a master plan

Those examples are indeed void have a man-made/man enhanced water feature, but many also have things like the Ocean instead ;) Some really neat Downtowns do have man made/enhanced features. Indianapolis; San Antonio; Richmond; Orlando; OKC. I think though they are, as you pointed out, part of an overall revitalization plan...not just ad hoq. A great Downtown doesn't have to have a larger scale water feature...but it seems as if they usually help.

Please continue to let me/us know what we are missing. You have put more work into this area of study than anyone I know locally.

It's about time we got you talking again ;) Looks like the coconut telegraph is buzzing like crazy

we have an underdeveloped gem sitting right in the middle of all the downtown revitalization hooplah....

the Fulton Mall.

it seems so logical, simple and inexpensive compared to building a river that I must be missing something.

world renowned art and sculpture..lovely landscaping and shaded walk ways..space for shops, restaurants, galleries etc..water! fountains and streams..a look/style that is unique and retro..cultural diversity -don't run it out..build on it!!

So Mr. Scharton let's revitalize the Mall!

by the way...in case you haven't noticed or are new to the area..Downtown is quite beautiful these days..new center planters in the streets and circular intersections..the Beatles-esque crosswalks on Van Ness...Kern street...

OotV
man, that was me that was calling out for scharton & asking for brevity. come on!

(just kidding. well, it really was me, but it's not like i care.)

No disrespect to anyone on the string...
(and Craig, you may want to watch yourself regarding your length... there's this guy called 'Jason,' who was singing the
'where o where has my underdog gone..' (looking for you, over on the UpstairsDowntown thread,,) ---he has a thing with length...
--edit---whups, look there he is above...

(...I'll just lob that out for the Freudians as a 'gimmee,')

So long as 'Downtown,' Fresno is viewed by those with money and influence as a (not just,) a ghost town,
--but a 'ghetto,'
--and a dangerous place inhabited by minorities, illegals, and fiends (just looking to swipe yer purse..)
-Folks are going to avoid it.

This has been the standard view of the place for how long? at least 20 to 30 years???

-Because it is 'not pretty,'
(nor,) 'convenient,'
--people will go where it's perceived as 'pretty,''convenient,' and 'safe.'

That's why I keep harping, at length...
(o-shit-here-he-comes... if only I didn't have moral problems with 'cliff-notes,')
-About the underlying social views that motivate folks.

Be they right or Be they wrong,
--you're looking at three generations now who simply don't like interracting with stuff that is uncomfortable and viewed as 'dangerous,' ---and is 'not like them.'

I've read comments on this and other websites that have such hellacious views of downtown being turned into another 'Mexico,' -with views of people from there, (um,,, Mexicans?) that read like dripping wounds laced with racism... -Yet the folks who write the stuff get all offended when you state: 'dude, you're a racist...'
(...then they come back with: '...I'm not a racist, I just can't stand Mexicans...')
-um...
right...

The sickness is deep...

Putting up a lake and all is nice, --but we need to remember that this town (up until recently,)
-was 'solving,' it's homelsss problem... (which, correct me if I'm wrong...
-do you run into more homeless downtown or in the N.E?)
---by throwing away makeshift shelters and belongings of them...

-Then there was one of the most hackneyed and unqualified explainations determining between 'homeless,' and 'street people,' (never seen before in sociological circles, ---hopefully never again,)
--by an elected official who clearly 'villanized,' if not 'demonized,' anybody who was homeless (in plain sight,) and not
'off in some program somewhere.'
--truly one of the most economical (aka: cheap,) shots
--that folks bought into wholesale...
--THAT's going on downtown too.

With exception to a serious job (that makes the traffic headaches worthwhile,)
---there is no way you are going to persuade the wealthy to want to hang downtown...

Three generations of folks who have not had to put up with anything that they didn't want to... -NOW, suddenly going to be converted into seeing downtown and those who live in and around there as being worth the trouble... (or in some cases, even 'human.')

The killing joke of it all?
-Compared to most everywhere else I've lived, (including the wild,) The place is extremely safe, is basically deserted at night, and can be ridden through (on bicycles,) past midnight (in most areas,) and the most you have to worry about is dodging broken up roadway, or the odd stray black cat who has a deathwish regarding tires...

But you are totally right... if it was a 'hobby,'
--but then again, hobbies are all about that individual seeing value in something, and benefitting the rewards of the time they're spending on it...
-How do we get a bunch of rich white folks to suddenly 'dig,' downtown and all of the elements, (and people,) therein?

So, I read the Bee article about the new deputy mayor. Fresno city government is dysfunctional and ineffective. They can't even get a developer to build a house.

I think Craig should run for council again, and council needs to have at-large positions.

Interested Craig?

Actually, bad or expensive parking is a sign of an active dynamic downtown. I can't think of any popular, walkable urban area that has plenty of cheap or free parking. People will brave parking nightmares if the destination is worth it. The land dedicated to parking would be better used for housing and businesses.

Craig, I know we've had this conversation, but I still don't think we'll see businesses survive and thrive downtown until there is a sizable resident population.

When they get serious about revitalizing Downtown, the first thing that the people will notice is Free Parking, just like all the parking in the city of North-Fresno.

I noticed when I was in Bakersfield's downtown that there was a lot of free parking and few meters.

Craig: Do you have names of qualified professionals that you would recommend? Your point of not being a piece meal planning is well taken, and , I find it hard to know where to start in improving downtown.
If they did put a lake or canal in downtown, I would like to see it around Chuckansi Park so home runs could end up in the water a la AT&T's McCovey Cove. Fulton's Fountain? Autry's Aquatic? Saroyan's Sea? Lincecum Lake? ;)

This may sound like semantics, but it is a real issue. Downtown revitalization is a process not a project.

A revitalization process looks at strengths and weaknesses of an area. Many times the strengths are historic buildings, potential foot traffic generators (theaters, stadiums, museums), existing businesses, etc.

Some of the weaknesses might be out-of-date zoning, lack of code enforcement, lack of directional signage, lack of funding for the management organization (DTA), confusing parking, lack of clear incentives for good business signage, facade improvement, new businesses...

Like any good business, a downtown revitalization effort would build on its strengths and try to prioritize and correct its weaknesses.

Without a sustainable revitalization effort, we scramble for projects that are going to "save" downtown. If we focus on the revitalization and correct some of the underlying weaknesses, projects will emerge to compliment the effort and to speed-up the results.

This 5-10 year process would be fairly easy to implement, would start to show results within the first couple of years, and would be sustainable through new administrations, management, and elected officials.

Now to your direct question. My understanding of the Oklahoma City project is that the river was only one facet of their revitalization effort. The community raised funds through taxes to accomplish some major developments along with a river component. So again, it feels like the river is a piecemeal project, not a part of a more cohesive effort.

Public Works types of projects often produce very little result, especially when their costs are considered. Take Pasadena and SLO as examples. They focused on building vibrant shopping and dining districts (as well as parking issues) before they tackled things like sidewalks or even residential development. The hallmark of a good downtown is foot traffic on the sidewalks. The only thing that brings people and keeps them coming back for more are good/interesting shops, stores and restaurants, clubs and coffeehouses.

What do these downtowns have in common: Old Town Pasadena, Gas Lamp District, Visalia, Hanford, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Sonoma, Third Street Promenade, Old Town Clovis? No man-made rivers. What else do they have...they are walkable, and have outdoor eating, shops and restaurants. If Fresno took the money they are willing to spend on the river and put it into a coherent Specific Plan, good directional signage, active festival promotion (how hard could it be to organize an Armenian or Hmong Fest?), and incentives for property owners and businesses, they would probably save millions and get better results.

God, I think my response is longer than my blog!

Craig
Fresno: Garden City under the Sierra Nevadas

I recently was in Bakersfield for a job interview, and after it I took the time to check out B-town's downtown... and it's no better than Fresno's even with one way traffic and parking on one of their main-streets, there were many vacant old shops for rent, and even the occupied ones were in desperate need of repair and remodeling.

...

Maestro,

Great post. Great points

I have done the things you mentioned above sans the Main Street list serv. It seems like a great resource. I will sign up as soon as I come up with the $195 to join, but I would not consider myself an expert, just a progressing practitioner.

What am I missing in regards to the canal/lake project ? I can see multiple economic benefits to having this feature placed just South of our CB Core. Why do some Urban Planning experts think this is a good idea, and why do some Urban Planning experts think it is bad.

Based on your experience, what makes this project "Sandy" ? ;)