Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and Council Vice President Miguel Arias host a news conference in Chinatown on Monday. Photos by Dylan Gonzales; Photo illustration by Cecilia Lopez

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and Council Vice President Miguel Arias held a news conference Monday morning at the former Bow On Tong building in Chinatown. The city has officially begun demolishing the structure,  vacant since 2022 due to a fire that left the historic building unsafe and beyond rehabilitation.

According to the Historic Fresno website, Bow On Tong opened in 1920. Dyer said that the building used to be a place for Chinese immigrants to worship. It is on the Local Register of Historic Places. 

Dyer described the demolition as a “turning point” for Chinatown. 

“There’s a time to tear down, and there’s a time to build,” Dyer said. “Today marks the beginning of a time to tear down, but it will be followed by a time where we build this area back up.” 

The city acquired the property for approximately $67,000 in January and plans to use it for future housing development. The project is funded in part by a $43.7 million Infill Infrastructure Grant from the state of California, which aims to improve urban areas through infrastructure upgrades and new housing.

Dyer expects around 35-40 units of affordable housing. He also announced plans to purchase the nearby Peacock building for potential redevelopment. The decision on whether to demolish or renovate the structure is still under consideration.

Arias, who represents District 3, which includes Chinatown, said revitalizing the area has been a goal of his since taking office in 2019. 

Arias said that Bow On Tong was “drug-infested” and Peacock was used for human trafficking. 

Infrastructure improvements are also currently underway in downtown Fresno, including water and sewer line replacements, pedestrian-friendly alleyways, and new housing projects. The city has also planned additional projects such as parking structures near Chukchansi Park and the CVS Pharmacy.

Once the demolition of the Bow On Tong is complete, the site will go through the surplus land management process before the city seeks development proposals. The goal is to create housing and commercial spaces that contribute to a more connected and active downtown.