James Collier

Downtown Fresno: What is a Vibrant and Prosperous Downtown?

I’m downtown at 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday to join the discussions about the area’s future. I wish you were here with me, but this is the next best thing.

9:02 a.m. - It sounds like 300 people in the Holiday Inn’s conference room. Looks more like 75-100. Food is available for purchase…

9:12 a.m. - City Manager Mark Scott welcomes everyone; gives overview of why we’re gathered. Mark explains that we need to welcome lively conversation and debate.

9:16 a.m. - Travis Sheridan takes the mic. He is facilitating the meeting. “We’re going to talk a little today - in this vision process - about the things that make you home sick.”

Side note: The wifi at the Holiday Inn is spotty, at best.

9:21 a.m. - Travis plays two audio clips, asking the audience what and where they’re reminded of. They music sounds like street jazz.

• New Orleans?
• San Francisco?
• Visalia?
• Fulton Mall?

“Fresno has it’s own unique sound…We’re writing the track of what we want our downtown corridor to become.”

9:24 a.m. - Travis is writing notes on the wall (audience participation):

Expectations

• Debate
• Results
• Different visions
• Ideas into action
• Ways to play/get involved
• Press/publicity
• Clear goals
Budget
• Break the ice (about “big” energy ideas)

Norms

• Respect
• No weapons
• Listen to different opinions
• Open minds

Values

We believe __________________ because ____________________!

9:40 a.m. - Travis invites table groups to refine the statement by rearranging post-it notes. Meanwhile, the rest of the groups talk about the Fulton corridor, as though it were a movie.

9:55 a.m. - Groups are still individually arranging the post-it notes, but conversation among the rest of the room has transitioned to a discussion of what should be started/stopped/continued on the Fulton Mall.

10:06 a.m. - “Our goal today is to get to that concrete vision” that will be used throughout the week. (Travis)

10:17 a.m. - Overheard: “Can you imagine how loud this place would be if we had alcohol?”

Lots of maps on the wall:

The crowd keeps growing:

10:55 a.m. - Travis sums up a “vision” for Fulton, noting that he’s referring to it as just “Fulton” for brevity’s sake. Further discussion with the audience about what that vision should say.

11:06 a.m. - Travis is trying to sum/wrap things up. Ideas from the audience are becoming more and more specific.

11:09 - Craig Scharton takes the mic.

11 public meetings over the next eight days. “No matter how hard we try…to remember everything, every perspective…we will fall short…” if we don’t get input from as many people as possible—so invite others. (Craig)

Childcare, translation and transportation services have been provided; the ad in tomorrow’s Fresno Bee will serve as a bus pass for the entire week, to and from the meetings.

11:13 a.m. - Stefanos Polyzoides, one of the consultants hired takes the mic to emphasize the importance of coming together and talking to each other.

» Schedule and details: FresnoDowntownPlans.com

11:20 a.m. - Q&A

• Parking in the spiral garage is free for noon meetings
• Parking in any garage is free for the evening meetings
• Bikes are allowed

11:22 a.m. - We’re done.