What's at stake:
Fresno's mayor says the Chinatown and downtown neighborhoods will never be the same again.
Fresno finally got its last bite out of millions in state funding to fix infrastructure in the city’s downtown and Chinatown neighborhoods.
Mayor Jerry Dyer announced Tuesday afternoon that the state budget, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Monday, secured the last installment of his promise to direct $250 million to Fresno’s infrastructure.
The final part of the state funding package — $100 million — will be issued to the City of Fresno under the 2026-2027 state budget. Spokesperson Sontaya Rose didn’t share an exact timeline for when the money will be distributed to the City of Fresno.
In a Tuesday news release, the city thanked state legislators Anna Caballero, Shannon Grove, Joaquin Arambula and David Tangipa.
“Their partnership and collaboration on this investment will transform Downtown Fresno and Chinatown,” the news release said.
“This is what happens when state investment meets a city that is ready to build,” Dyer said in the Tuesday news release. “We told the State we were shovel-ready, and Fresno has delivered. We have replaced century-old infrastructure, moved major projects into construction, and created the conditions for new housing and private investment to move forward.”
According to the news release, the state’s massive investment in Fresno will replace water and sewer systems, rebuild streets and sidewalks, create parking infrastructure and prepare key plots of land for housing and mixed-use development.
The funds would also go toward the planning stages of Linear Park and an intermodal transit center near the High-Speed Rail corridor. It would also go directly toward stormwater enhancements and utility upgrades.
“This investment is changing the trajectory of Fresno,” Dyer said. “Downtown Fresno and Chinatown will never look the same. We are building the foundation for thousands of new residents, new businesses, new jobs, and a downtown that is active, walkable, and ready for the future.”
City officials also highlighted two housing projects expected to break ground this summer: The Park at South Stadium and the Helm Building Project. The first of the two is a long-delayed eight-story 174-unit housing development that leaders approved funding for just two weeks ago.
Additionally, two parking garages are currently in the works on Fulton Street that city leaders say would provide more than 1,500 parking stalls.
