Senior housing, affordable housing or a mixed-use development could be some of the future uses for the University Medical Center campus in Southeast Fresno. Community input will shape the final plan, which could include 275-300 housing units. Photo via Sevak Khatchadourian

A major redevelopment project is underway for what the owner calls one of Southeast Fresno’s “last sizable properties.”

In October 2023, Fresno County supervisors accepted a $6 million bid from developer Sevak Khatchadourian to purchase the 33-acre University Medical Center (UMC) property at Cedar Avenue and Cesar Chavez Boulevard.

Escrow on the UMC property recently closed.

He has deep experience developing in the Fresno area, most notably with the Pacific Southwest Building in Downtown Fresno, which he took from 95% vacancy to completely full. He also purchased the Radisson Hotel in 2023 for nearly $9.3 million.

Khatchadourian’s development projects represent parts of Fresno’s history.

“I like the historical buildings. They have character and presence. I feel like the UMC property has a lot of character, similar to other historic buildings in Fresno,” Khatchadourian said. 

The UMC project is still in the master planning phase, with discussions underway with city and state officials to determine the best use for the land. A significant early addition will be a 19,000-square-foot United Health Centers facility aimed at enhancing health care access for the nearby community. 

“They’re wonderful,” Khatchadourian said about United Health Centers. “They are all over Fresno.”

Another key focus of the project will be addressing the housing shortage in Fresno. Khatchadourian said options include senior housing, affordable housing or mixed-use development. Community input will shape the final plan, which could include 275-300 housing units.

There is also movement on the Radisson property, with a deal in the final stages for an operating brand to revive the property as a hotel once again. 

“It will have a very nice design and a beautiful lobby,” he said.

Despite the scale of the UMC project, Khatchadourian doesn’t anticipate major roadblocks.

“The only challenging thing is to have the right product. If we have the right product going on, I don’t think we’re gonna get a lot of challenges,” Khatchadourian said.