When Is The Right Time for a Mix-Up?

The area of proposed rezoning NE of Fig Garden Shopping Center.

After taking a look at the Distict 2 Implementation Committee Meeting agenda (http://goo.gl/LmSaF) for tonight at 5:30pm in City Hall, I noticed there are still major changes happening across the Fresno landscape.  In tonight's meeting, Scott Mommer, on behalf of Gunner Andros Investments LLC, is requesting that 3.96 acres of existing apartments and empty land be rezoned from R-2 (low density multi-family residential) to C-Pcz (Admin/Prof Office w/ conditions of zoning) where a proposed 4 story 104,593 sqft office building will be built.  It is already unsavory to me for changes to be made to the General Plan, even though I understand that the General Plan is just a guideline, but this also begs a question.  When will Fresno start developing mixed-use buildings?  Maybe a mixed use doesn't fit this project, but for a property so close to the Fig Garden Shopping Center which is one of Fresno's major activity centers, it should set an example for how new buildings can contribute to the place-making of an area.  Instead, a building with just one use and one purpose will be erected.  How can we establish high density by removing mid-density housing and placing a building that will most likely be occupied by those who will commute (using a car) from outer areas?  It is projects like this that should incite ideas on how you feel the high activity centers you visit every week should be made more livable and walkable.  Start looking at maps of the area you visit the most and take note where you would be willing to move if there was housing available, what you would need in the area without having to drive anywhere, and what kind of job you could possibly work at within walking distance or just a bus ride away.  Keep these things in mind and start taking notes, then start sharing them with your Council member, at a planning meeting or even on here if you like.  You can also email if you're interested in learning more, servinarthur@yahoo.com.

Proposed District Changes for the City of Fresno

City Manager Mark Scott pointing out some changes.

When the Census data is taken every decade, it is the City of Fresno's policy to use the updated information to change the City Council district line boundaries to reflect these updates.  City Council and City Manager Mark Scott used the changes in population density and the movement of specific types of ethnicity to help make their decisions.  What they saw when they looked at the data was that districts did indeed change in size.  They did however express at their Proposed District Changes Meeting today at The Painted Table (formerly Samba) in the Tower District that that they wanted to change as little as possible.  The changes they did make were guided by Municipal Code criteria that explains census tracks should not be broken up, arterial roads, bodies of water and railways should be used as boundaries and similar community interest should be kept intact.  They also sought to keep each district within about 2% of difference of each other, attepmting to have as close to the same number of people in each district as possible.  The biggest change to the boundaries was made in District 6 in Northeast Fresno where the lowest density of population was.  The last time boundaries were drawn up, it was expected that this area would show an increase in population when it in fact did not, and that contributed to this change.  District 5 in Southeast Fresno grew the most looking at the census information.  When the meeting opened up to the public, it was voiced that the Tower District should remain intact, but the opinion of where the Tower District ends is up for debate.  The proposed district changes (http://allhappenings.com/resources/Proposed%20Council%20Districts.pdf) will be decided on at next week's council meeting July 28th. It is highly advised this document is looked over so input can be provided to City Council as soon as possible.  Call your council member at (559) 621-8000 and share with them where you feel community interest boundaries are.

DCAC Must Close Doors to Youth Program

Although I have not been a participant of this program (planned to bring my little brother soon), I know the heart of it's organizers is nothing but pure and good so it was very sad to see this email today:

It is with a heavy heart that I share the following message from our executive director, Stephanie Pearl, on the closure of DCAC.  I want to thank each and every one of you for coming to art workshops as a student, volunteer, visitor, and observer.  My life has been enriched by the experience of DCAC and by all the wonderful people who have been a passed through its doors.  I will miss you all!

 

Regretfully, Downtown Community Arts Collective is forced to suspend their Youth Arts Program indefinitely effective Sunday, July 10, 2011.  Due to the poor state of the economy, we are unable to generate enough revenue to support our Youth Program.  DCAC’s Youth Arts Program depended solely on private and corporate donations as well as community partnerships.

Unfortunately the money just isn’t there, and to avoid any further debt, dcac has been forced to cut the youth program and reinvent themselves.  Dcac resident artists, Stephanie Pearl and Andrew Watrous will continue to maintain studio space at 754 P Street.  The front half of the building will be occupied by a photography studio and the back half will be Downtown Community Arts Collective Studios. Dcac artists in residence will continue to open their studios for the first Thursday art-hop and plan to explore small venue shows such as experimental music, poetry, and performance art.

It’s been an amazing three year run with our Youth Arts Program.  We have watched kids and young adults come and go; many of them taking ownership of something for the first time in their lives. Some youth said dcac was the only place they felt free to be themselves.   We’ve seen youth who say “I can’t” transform into a formidable artistic talent.  We’ve cried for the ones who have left the program for both good and bad reasons and we’ve cased city streets looking for others who have run away from their homes.  We have given all we had to these community youth just to see them smile and say something positive.  My heart is broken, but we just can’t get on our feet.

Please forward this message to anyone who I have missed and who would want to know.

 

Again, THANK YOU for the terrific ride.-- 

Monica Joy Henry

Youth Arts Program Director/Photographer

Downtown Community Arts Collective (dcac)

754 'P' Street, Fresno, CA  93721

(559) 284-2276 ~ www.dcacfresno.org