Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer (left) presents the key to the city to Matthew Dildine, CEO of Fresno Mission. Photo by Gabriel Dillard

Building was the main theme of Thursday’s “State of the City” event, from gold-painted shovels onstage, toy hammers on the tables to shovel-shaped spoons for attendees to eat Producer’s Dairy ice cream.

It was another sold-out crowd with thousands on hand for the Fresno Chamber of Commerce-hosted event at the Fresno Convention Center.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer highlighted successes, celebrated notable community members and organizations and made some announcements along the way.

One of the biggest — a plan from Dyer for a $100 million “paving” bond to help tackle a $1.2 billion backlog in road maintenance in the City of Fresno. He said he needs the support of the Fresno City Council to make that happen.

“I greet you with a message of transformation, of progress and optimism,” Dyer said. “I hope when you all leave here today, I hope you will feel all of those.”

Dyer is also hopeful for a chunk of a promised $200 million from the state for downtown infrastructure projects as Gov. Newsom prepares to offer a state budget revise next week.

Dyer is also preparing to offer a “balanced” budget to the Fresno City Council next week as the city faces down a projected $20.6 million budget deficit for fiscal 2026.

With much of the ongoing work for California high-speed rail infrastructure happening in the Chinatown area of Downtown Fresno, attendees were happy to hear that the long awaited Tulare Street underpass could open by the end of June.

Both Tulare Street and Cesar Chavez Boulevard have been closed in Chinatown for more than six years to build underpasses under the rail lines.

The city has also chosen first recipient of the Energy Efficiency Grant Program —Tower Tea.

The grant comes from a $500,000 donation from Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to help small businesses in the city. The city designated $400,000 to the program to help restaurants pay for energy improvements with the city to match that amount.

Dyer awarded the key to the city to Matthew Dildine, CEO of Fresno Mission, a nonprofit providing food, shelter and protective services. Its City Center campus opened in 2024.

Dyer gave the “One Hero” award posthumously to Al Smith, who died earlier this year. The former Fresno radio executive and Fresno Chamber leader was remembered as a charismatic leader known for his booming voice and the ability to make the people he encountered feel special.

The “Housing Hero” award went to Valley Teen Ranch, led by Andrea Evans, for its work helping youth and young adults through the foster system with therapy, care, mentoring and life changing programs.

Their new “Welcome Home” program will soon provide 96 modular units of housing for young people aging out of foster care in Northwest Fresno.

The “Beautify Fresno” award went to People’s Church, led by Outreach Pastor Erin Ventura, for organizing street clean ups and facilitating food, clothing and outreach programs for vulnerable communities.

Dyer gave the “Youth Leader” award to Robert Golden, founder of Golden Charter Academy and former NFL for safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Golden Charter Academy is an environmental stewardship charter school that is equipping students to lead, learn and thrive. It’s currently building a campus across from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. A recent fundraiser generated $200,386 toward a $250,000 goal.

“This is our time in Fresno,” Dyer said to close his keynote address. “A time to grow and a time to build. To build upon a safer, cleaner, Fresno. Thank you for your belief in the sheer vision of One Fresno.”