Fresno Downtown
From an Outside Perspective of Downtown Fresno
I was born and raised in San Diego California and moved to Fresno in 2004. One question people often asked me was why I moved from a bustling city to a “so call” agricultural town. My reply was that Fresno is unique because on one side of the coin Fresno is a big city not just an agricultural town but on the other side there is still a lot of untapped opportunities that many big cities such as San Diego don’t offer or is much harder for a young and energetic entrepreneur to be successful.
I first came in contact with Fresno downtown in late December of 2004. Coming from a city which has a fantastic night life in the downtown area I was hoping Fresno will provide a similar atmosphere; I was wrong. But, staying open minded I decided to explore Fresno downtown and the very first place I visited was the Fulton Mall. I was pretty shocked not because there was no one there, but because sitting right here was the heart of Fresno and there were just a vast amount of opportunities waiting for entrepreneurs.
As a hobby and business I put together events for band concerts and Dj shows and some of the places I have done includes: The Rainbow Ballroom, Orchid Hall, The Fresno Fairground, and Star Palace. After coming to contact with the Fulton Mall I wanted to do a live night concert in the mall but to my frustration I received many resistance and eventually that idea faded and I moved on to other things. From that experience I learned one of the reasons why the Fulton Mall has failed, because of all the unnecessary rules that restricted businesses to operate creatively.
Now in 2009, after four years since my disappointment, I’m starting to believe in the revitalization of downtown Fresno again. Why? Because people are taking actions to make changes to bad decisions made in the past and one of those people is Craig Scharton.
Mr. Scharton is in charge of Fresno downtown revitalization and I was fortunate enough to accompany him in several tours of the downtown area. I have not known Mr. Scharton for a long time or whether his ideas of how to revitalize downtown Fresno will work or not, but I do know that he is a good person who cares about the residents and businesses that resides in that area. Throughout the tour we met local business owners and residents who refer Craig Scharton as a very good friend who listens and speaks for them.
I believe that a plan is rarely perfect but with more action people like Craig Scharton and cooperation from the community any plan can be change or adapt to meet unexpected problems.
Mc Battles in the Fulton Mall this 28th
We hold a monthly Mc battles in the Fresno Discount Center located in the Fulton Mall. The next one will be held the 28th of this month. It's a great venue with a real underground feel, since its located in the orginal Gotchalks building in the basement.
We usually have 3-5 local rap artist come and perform, 10-20 min sets from 2-4 with a Dj spinning between sets. Then from 4-5 the battles begin. This month the artist will be Remedy, Rasp, Optimus Prime, and IXL.
Were looking to expand and bring all elements of hip hop there, from graffiti,B-boys, and Dj battles.
As of right now this is a free event, and welcome all ages.
For more information you can visit:
www.Myspace.com/2StrictlyUnderground
OR-
email to StrictlyUnderground@GMX.com
Mc Battles in the Fulton Mall
We hold a monthly Mc battles in the Fresno Discount Center located in the Fulton Mall. The next one will be held the 28th of this month. It's a great venue with a real underground feel, since its located in the orginal Gotchalks building in the basement.
We usually have 3-5 local rap artist come and perform, 10-20 min sets from 2-4 with a Dj spinning between sets. Then from 4-5 the battles begin. This month the artist will be Remedy, Rasp, Optimus Prime, and IXL.
Were looking to expand and bring all elements of hip hop there, from graffiti,B-boys, and Dj battles.
As of right now this is a free event, and welcome all ages.
For more information you can visit:
Myspace.com/2StrictlyUnderground
Our downtown has potential
Right on! Downtown Fresno isn't like downtown San Diego, but the hopes are there. I invision a day when our downtown can match or beat what SD has to offer. Hopefully we can create an atmosphere where the people of the city will push this vision through.
well written
What a well written, well thought out post. I moved to Fresno from Southern Oregon -- mainly to be with someone whose stuck here in Fresno for a few years. I was shocked to see that everyone in Fresno has a vision for sure but nobody can agree on the finer points thus no progress is ever made.
You see this whether you're dealing with downtown, how to keep/let the Grizzlies go, whether or not revitalizing Fulton Mall is worth it, etc.. it doesn't matter. Everyone has a vision; just no consensus.
I find it shocking that Fresno has SO MUCH POTENTIAL and yet in 2009, it's so severely lacking. Downtown is BROKEN yet, I see a lot of people wanting to fix it but still not sure I see any progress.
Fulton Mall is BROKEN and again, all the potential is there just not sure where the action is.
I also believe Manchester Center is pretty broken as well. I'm not sure what to do with it personally nor do I have any ideas.
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