There've been some mutterings around City Hall about the incoming mayor, Ashley Swearengin, naming Craig Scharton, the former City Council member and current head of the Central Valley Business Incubator, as her "downtown czar." Interesting idea, if true.
(Full disclosure: I've known Craig for years and regard him as a friend, even though he went to Bullard High.)
Craig's been studying downtown issues in general and Fresno's downtown in particular for many years, and he's got a tremendous grasp of the issues involved. He could be very effective if he's got the flexibility to take in the wide range of opinion there is out there about what should happen in downtown Fresno.
I do wish we could come up with another name besides "downtown czar," with its connotations of divine right of kings and absolute power. How about "downtown go-to guy," or "downtown kahuna," or even "downtown poobah"? Remember, the life of the last real czar the world knew ended poorly in a basement. Very bad karma.
PHOTO: Craig Scharton (wearing shorts in this 1995 photo) is anything but casual about the future of downtown Fresno.
I vote for Downtown Dude.
See, Craig was hip to LEG-o's then, too!
Sinceriously, I would recommend:
Triangle Tyrant
The problem with someone who has studied the problem for years is that they may have lost the ability to see things from a fresh angle.
Ms. Swearengin says that she is not going to just pick the same 'old crowd' to get ideas from. Nothing against Mr. Scharton but he has been round FOREVER. Why not go out of the box and pick someone with a fresh new look on things and one who is not connected with too many of the folks who have not solved the Downtown Problem for years.
There is a bright, clever young chap who is burning to make a difference in Fresno. He is full of ideas as the young are, and MOI thinks he would be a perfect choice to try and solve the Downtown issue, or at least get it moving in a direction that appeals to a blend of personalities that make up Fresno.
That bright young chap would be Elliott Balch! Now that would be an orginal move.
Over the time lived in Fresno, and NO this old geezer has not been here since the first dirt arrived, have heard too many times that the same names and faces get all of the positions of control in local government.
AND......Elliott Balch would be perfect as the 'Downtown Dude'
Mr. Scharton is already a mover and shaker, let him show some grace and let the younger crowd have a crack at thing, and allow Ms. Swearengin to really go outside the box, in trying to make Fresno brilliant. Now more than ever we need folks trying to do things differently and someone who has been 'pals' with the crowd that got noting done for so long does not seem to be very orginal.
I know both and each has the goal of transforming downtown into a vibrant and economical viable entity. However, Craig Scharton has researched, studied, experienced the challenges, and has been passionate about downtown resurrection like no one I have ever seen. If Mayor Swearengin is considering Craig for this important position, I can't think of anyone better to make it happen. I like Elliot but my vote would be for Craig. Al Smith - Fresno Chamber
I know and respect both Craig and Elliott-but Mr. Defrees is correct: we need a new voice and a new perspective on Downtown--surely Craig is not the only person who has committed vast amounts of time to research and comment on downtown Fresno issues--there are others--ESPECIALLY people who actually LIVE downtown (who have made more than an investment of ideas--but who actually have planted their life AND their work- in the triangle-) and a resident of color could be a strong voice that may be missing from all of the downtown chatter--
Don R. Simmons, Ph.D.
Chair, Historic Preservation Commission
Nothing like the 'old boy' network staying 'old boy'..........no wonder folks think Fresno is controled by a few hundred folks, the same folks, year in and year out, regardless of who gets elected.
I think that Elliott would be a great choice. He has passion for downtown and he's lived in Boston one of America's most incredible cities, with strong neighborhood districts and historic preservation.
Elliott would also be a great choice because of the network he's established while working for Juan Arambula. I think that he is even the current Downtown Association President.
Count me as an Elliott fan.
Craig
Hmm, Craig Scharton...isn't he something of a subversive type?
If so, he has my full support!
After reading weigh-ins from Elliott and Craig, do either of them want the position? If either is to be named as "Downtown Poobah", then perhaps they may be weary of the hat they might have to wear.
In all seriousness, I've had two concerns about the downtown project. As much as I'd like to see downtown revitalized and polished, to do it right would be a HUGE expense, and then would people use it? The second one we won't know until the first one is done. As it stands now, there's a reason why everyone shops up north. What would cause those people to travel south...continuously? What would be the draw? I don't really think it's the same as building a baseball diamond in the middle of a cornfield.
Either Craig or Elliot would be wise choices by mayor-elect Swearengin to head up the city's downtown revitalization efforts. They both understand that there's a difference between redevelopment and revitalization. You can spend billions on new courthouses and public buildings, or outlandish public projects like Mayor Autry's "water feature" - but real revitalization is something different - it's about creating the atmosphere where business and creativity can thrive in a diverse urban setting. They understand that revitalization isn't about one project, or one developer, or one "silver bullet." It would be difficult to find people with a better understanding of the issues or more experience in our downtown than these two. This should be a very interesting four years, and quite a change from business as usual of the last 50 years downtown.
I think we are lucky to have BOTH Craig and Elliott and perhaps a team to revitalize would be a win-win for Fresno. I vote for Scharton/Balch in '09.
Scot, you are spot on. The single most important thing that has yet to reveal itself is IF folks will come Downtown if it is built anew.
The thing that is not always stated is that a lot of folks in Fresno, stand to make buckets of cash with the 'public purse' being the one taking the hit. Even the 'developer' is wanting the 'public purse' to provide the driving force.
Remember that much has been done to try and change things and it has not turned the tide so far. With little thought of how it would play out in the future, many services dealing with a rough part of the population have been placed in the Downtown area, and it is this very population that sends folks running from the Downtown are as the sun sets. The Fresno Bee recently did a story on the 'homeless' being allowed to take over parts of the Downtown and elected officials looking the other way.
When folks want to take MOI to dinner they always suggest RiverPark and always ask if MOI shops there.
There are a lot of 'third rails' in play with the Downtown issue and no one seems willing to grab ahold of any one of them.
So let me see. Craig is supporting Elliot. Elliot is supporting Craig. This is taking "begin nice" to the extreme. What happened to blood on the carpet? Where's Dick Cheney when we need him.
I think Ashley Swearengin is smart enough to have both these highly qualified individuals on her team. So it's not an either or situation. I think they will all be working together no matter what title they are appointed.
I for one look forward to the substantial improvements in downtown's built environment that we will see over the next 4 years.
Kiel Famellos-Schmidt
ArcHop Curator
Wow! A conservative recommending two librals (or as close as it gets around here) for Downtown Dilettante. Could the end be near? The end of partisan politics that is!
Either Elliot or Craig are great choices. While is may sound innovative to bring in a new eye (person), there have been so many eyes and plans focused on downtown that a reformated eye might be best. I've worked closer to Craig in a number of projects and programs. Craig is progressive and insightful. He worked in two very successful downtowns - Pleasonton and Handford. I excuse him for his stint in politics. He was young and impetuous.
In either case the future is now!
That Scharton is OLD I tell you. Man, I saw him stumble once on his shoe laces. I mean there can't be a fresh perspective at all in that old geezers brain. Geez, next thing you know he will be muttering about how wonderful the old court house was. What the heck is Swearengin thinking?
If Swearengin is smart enough (and I'm sure she is) to get both Craig and Elliott actively engaged in Downtown Fresno, all of us are winners.
Aren't they both already actively engaged in Downtown?
And what's so bad about "Downtown Czar"? If Peter the Great was able to build St. Petersburg on a desolate swamp, think what a czar could do for us. (Granted, he did have some human rights issues, but I don't think either Craig or Elliott will be sending people to Siberia.)
Where are the fashion police when you need them?
Provided that the "downtown czar" will actually be a title in City government (mind you we do have a homeless czar now), I think the most important challenge they will face is unifying the efforts for downtown revitalization among City Departments, the RDA, the Mayor's office and the citizens of Fresno as a whole, in creating a vibrant and economically feasible downtown. There needs to be a comprehensive vision (specific plan) including infrastructure, transportation, and design. We have a lot of groups that have their own visions, and we have more studies than we know what to do with, but they are all within their own spheres. Both Craig and Elliott have their merits, and our new Mayor has the will, I look forward to seeing measurable and defined progress soon.
Of course Elliott and Craig are actively engaged in Downtown Fresno now, but not actively engaged as City of Fresno staff. It's exciting to think that could happen.
I don't care if the title or titles include "Downtown Czar." I just want folks with proven Downtown savvy representing the public sector.
I'm looking forward to a true public/private partnership for the revitalization of Downtown Fresno.
As the Downtown Czar of the City of Clovis, I can tell you that I have never had a fear of competing against Fresno's downtown. Head-to-head, there's never been a problem with earning a W in my column. Of course, I do not really feel this way. But, if I did, I'd be getting nervous. Very nervous! Craig and Elliott are both scary good at what they do and what they know. Luckily, it's not a zero sum game. Downtown Fresno's success does not mean that Clovis will be less successful. Or other parts of Fresno will suffer, or other parts of the region will lose out. In the end, there will be a net increase for all. I am excited about the possibility of either of these two guys leading the team.
What a breath of hope. Either would hit the ground running.
J Jurkovich needs to included in this process as well
She is probably the only person I know who has as much or more knowledge on Downtowns and revitalization as Craig. Craig would be an obvious short list leader, but Balch and Moore are both Sharton Apostles so he will be well represented as he focusses on making sure Water and Energy are Fresno's next economic engine.
A regular chicken liver breakfast at the Chicken Pie Shop will allow him to keep his prodigies from straying too far outside the lines
btw - Being a disciple O' Sharton is a good thing (in case it was not clear). He and Jeanette are the first two folks I would consult on anything Downtown and/or revitalization related.
I'm predicting it will be Scharton.
On KYNO today, I heard Jim Boren say Craig has been chosen
If that's true...
Congratulations, Craig!
Let her rip, Brother
Hey Craig...
There was once a VISTA in Fresno who authored a self-funding plan called the "Fresno Renewal Project" and he put it on line at humandignity.org
Perhaps it might be worth taking a second look.