Students start Web site to explore Tower District

By NYRIE KARKAZIAN

Fresno State students are taking a new approach to tourism in Fresno to help people experience the culture and essence of the Tower District.

The interactive media design class, MCJ 131, under the direction of Professor Candice Egan, has constructed a documentary Web site devoted to the historic area. The site, “Tower Reflections: A Web documentary,” is an interactive view and exploration of what the Tower District has to offer.

The class divided into teams to create different aspects of the site. These include highlights of life in the Tower, architecture and history and events at the Tower Theatre, a historical landmark in the city since it first opened in 1939.

Egan first had the notion to explore Web documentaries and later brought in the idea of the Tower District. She said it is one of the few places in Fresno that has a definite cultural and community sense.

Among the different characteristics of the Web site will be a walking tour of the area. The site will include video and photos of all the different sites the district has to offer.

Other features available on the site will be night and day life, highlighting various events. Architecture of the surrounding buildings and houses will be shown, as well as the structure of Tower itself.

A history of the Tower Theatre will be available, along with information about the owners and past performances.

Antonina Trachuk, a student on the public relations promotions team for the project, said the purpose of the site is to attract people to the cultural aspect of the area.

“Tower is a historic and educated area,” Trachuk said. “We need to keep it alive.”

An official presentation of the Web site will be held May 18 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Tower Theatre.

The event is open to the public and is free of charge. All Fresno State students, faculty, community leaders and local residents are invited to experience this new frontier in documenting one of Fresno’s finest locations.