Adobe Stock image | Illustration by Cecilia Lopez

Getting Downtown Fresno shovel ready has been a high priority for Mayor Jerry Dyer, and the announcement Tuesday of $100 million in the California budget represents the next stage of that commitment.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom made a three-year pledge — beginning with the state’s 2023-24 budget — of $250 million to kickstart needed water, sewer and transportation infrastructure in downtown. After receiving an initial $50, the rest of the funding had been delayed due to budget constraints.

With the latest $100 million committed in the proposed state budget, the state’s total investment is $150 million in Downtown Fresno and Chinatown.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Governor for standing by Fresno and keeping his promise to invest in our community,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer in a statement. “This commitment comes at a critical time to ensure we maintain momentum in our revitalization efforts.”

Elliot Balch, president and CEO of the Downtown Fresno Partnership, said Monday morning that it’s exciting to see the momentum continue on plans to build more housing.

“It’s the right role for the state and city for the Valley to grow in a sustainable way, to be able to have areas that have more housing. In the Valley, there’s no place better than Downtown Fresno,” Balch said.

New funding will build on infrastructure work already underway and will support the Mayor’s vision of 10,000 new residents living in Downtown Fresno. Public infrastructure projects will support future housing, businesses, and community amenities in the city’s core. Planned improvements include parking, sidewalks, and safer walkable streets. Leveraged with public and private sources, this investment will help catalyze housing in Downtown Fresno and Chinatown. Additional projects are expected to be announced in the coming months as the City receives the budgeted funds and moves forward with its revitalization strategy, according to a city news release.

“The state’s investment into Fresno is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” Mayor Dyer continued. “Thanks to the Governor, Senator Caballero, Assemblymembers Soria and Arambula, the legislative leadership, the Department of Finance, and so many others who are helping this vision become a reality – Fresno is ready to deliver on a vision that will benefit this community for decades to come.”