FRESNO, Calif. – A new housing complex is coming to an area in Fresno that has not had it before.
City leaders broke ground on Monday for new apartments known as The Park at South Stadium.
The 174-unit complex is being built on Fulton Street in downtown Fresno just steps from Chukchansi Park — a stadium with a capacity of 10,650. It will offer housing to people across a range of income levels.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said 70 units will be dedicated as affordable to residents at least 55 years. He said the new housing will help make a "vibrant downtown."
"We all know that great cities have great downtowns, and we are well on our way in Fresno to having a great downtown," Dyer said.
He has routinely made the comment as he has secured funding to revitalize downtown Fresno. California alone has dedicated $250 million for improvements. Downtown Fresno has been a project of many mayors.
Dyer wants to grow downtown by up to 10,000 people. It’s an ambitious plan that seeks to reverse a long trend of decline and traffic to the area as residents have favored northern parts of the city over the decades.
The latest housing project will cost over $81 million. It will be funded through bond financing, a local housing fund and other loans. It is expected to be completed in June 2028.
Dyer said he hopes these units attract young people in particular.
"Imagine watching a Grizzlies game or a concert from your own home. That is exactly the kind of urban living experience we have envisioned for downtown Fresno for many years," Dyer said at a press conference.
The housing project had come up at city hall several years ago, but it failed at least twice before it was officially approved.
Fresno City Councilmember for District 3, Miguel Arias, said the first push to build the housing complex was already funded and had secured the necessary permits.
But it could not move forward due to a split council in 2022.
The second effort at building the housing was planned as a partnership with the State Center Community College District, according to Arias.
That also never materialized. But Arias said he’s excited about the new development.
"Hundreds of families will call this home, like I've called it home for more than 20 years," Arias said.
