Reviving Downtown

By Sean Mulhair
The Collegian

Downtown Fresno might soon be a thriving metropolitan center again with the help of a local vocational program for young professionals.

Nevin Hindiyeh, the founder of Fresno’s Leading Young Professionals, said the organization wants to get the community of Fresno excited to go to downtown again. F.L.Y.P. plans to add more exciting stores and more multicultural events in the downtown area.

Hindiyeh said the main goal of F.L.Y.P. is to get young professionals in the Fresno area connected and working with local businesses and community leaders to help rejuvenate downtown Fresno. They are working on getting more housing projects into the downtown area. New high- rise residences include Vagabond Lofts, Villa Borgata and Park Van Ness.

Hindiyeh said F.L.Y.P. currently has 350 members and most are between 20-30 years old, from highly diverse professions. The only requirement to join is to send a request e-mail to [email protected] for membership.

Coordinator for the Downtown Association of Fresno, Ruth Saludes, said downtown Fresno is a beautiful and historic place.

“Downtown is Fresno’s forgotten jewel, downtown is always the true heart of a city,” Saludes said.

She said interest in new urban housing is fueling the renewal of downtown. Old buildings are being restored to develop new businesses. Better advertising is a very critical element to get locals aware of the downtown area.

“Most people think downtown Fresno is a scary place but in fact it is the safest place to be in town according to police reports,” Saludes said. “It is much safer than Shaw and Blackstone.”

She said downtown merchants need more support to develop more business. More popular retail chain stores will attract Fresno teens. The high-rise housing projects will also increase the population in the downtown area.

Saludes said she would like to install architectural lighting on both the buildings and the trees in downtown and the roads need to be repaved and smoothed out. Another interesting feature planned for downtown is mist sprayers, which can be very refreshing in the hotter seasons.

Saludes said there is also a large art district developing downtown. There are an impressive number of galleries and cultural centers that many people in Fresno are unaware of.

Photographer for KFSR, Fresno State’s radio station, Mike Counts, said KFSR plans to make a promotional film about the rejuvenation of downtown Fresno. The project is meant to spur more interest for students about the downtown area. The film will be shooting during Fulton Plaza Thursdays and plans to air later next month.

Counts said there are numerous multicultural events, farmers’ markets and beer gardens downtown that many who live in Fresno do not know about.

Counts also said downtown needs to be more youth oriented to attract large popular stores. He said fresh music, new clubs and more downtown energy will attract teens and college students.

“More people equals more business for downtown,” Counts said.