Downtown Fresno file photo

The California Assembly approved a final state budget on Thursday that includes $50 million for the City of Fresno’s infrastructure plan — well short of the $250 million announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom and praised by Mayor Jerry Dyer last month.

A floor report of the 2023-24 budget published by the Assembly Budget Committee Thursday says $50 million was included for Fresno’s infrastructure plan. Dyer originally said that $250 million from the governor’s May budget revision would go toward improving the downtown core.

UPDATE: The proposed budget just passed the Assembly 61-14. pic.twitter.com/aIIRNEWWzp

— Eytan Wallace (@EytanWallace) June 15, 2023

The news was first reported by GVWire on Wednesday. The article by Edward Smith quoted an unnamed staffer on the Assembly Budget Committee saying that the full $250 million could be funded over three budget cycles, including $100 million for 2024-25 and $100 million for 2025-26.

The source told GVWire it would still be a win for Fresno Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, but couldn’t comment on whether the additional $200 million was guaranteed.

Arambula’s  communications director said the Assembly member declined to comment Thursday morning.

Dyer said the funding would go toward additional parking structures, green space, street and landscape investments and aging infrastructure including sewer and water.

The fate of economic development in Downtown Fresno — with its old and dilapidated infrastructure — could get a boost from $250 million in state dollars.

For example, the deputy director of Fresno Housing last week said the budget allocation, along with an infill infrastructure grant, would help the organization with its affordable housing pipeline in Downtown Fresno.