Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer has called a 1 p.m. news conference for Friday after Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a $250 million investment of state funds in the city’s downtown core.
“We have a particular focus in the May Revise on the incredible work that’s been done in Fresno and the incredible planning that has been done that allows us to make a commitment to Fresno.” — Gov. Gavin Newsom
Newsom’s proposal came to light in his May Budget Revise, which he rolled out Friday morning.
“We have a particular focus in the May Revise on the incredible work that’s been done in Fresno and the incredible planning that has been done that allows us to make a commitment to Fresno, in particular, to accelerate that effort because they are teed up and ready to do something transformational,” Newsom said.
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Said Dyer in a news release: “I want to thank Gov. Newsom for his confidence in Fresno. As he noted, we are doing incredible work and have invested countless planning hours to catalyze new housing in our downtown core.
“We are, indeed, teed up and ready to do something transformational. This $250 million is the kind of boost that will get us across the finish line and allow Fresno to realize its destiny as one of California’s premier cities.”
Green Space, Safe Walkable Downtown Neighborhoods
According to the mayor, the proposed funding would provide significant capital improvements. Among them: new parking structures, green space, and street and landscape investments.
The state money also would create safe, walkable neighborhoods with access to community amenities — all of which are important to Dyer’s goal of having 10,000 downtown residents.
(This story will be updated.)
