It's a good thing Craig Scharton isn't in charge of New York's Central Park

Come on, the trees are not the problem, we need uniformity (let the landlords take responsibility for curb appeal). Maybe if we beautified the buildings by painting them, putting better signs up for the stores and maybe just maybe this will bring in other name stores (department stores)doen town, right now walking downtown feels like i am in a second world country, bring it up to date and maybe it will bring new revenue.

The last time I have been at the Fulton Mall, I thought that most of those stores had moved here because they did not want to upgrade along with the other stores in some exotic bazaars. It is my onion that even Calcutta recognized that today's indigenous and foreign shoppers wanted decent shopping experiences. I also have lived around here long enough to have been able to testify in opposition to the Fresno City Council vision of a practically treeless moonscape. No trees could have hidden from me Karsh's Bakery, Gottschalk, Rodders, Dotty Dean, Luftenburg, Arthur's Toys and so many other great stores with names I have forgotten. I hate to make this partisan, but what it is with Republican administrations and their dislike for trees. Is it because the City has to take care of them? Is it because those well-to-do politicians have plenty of trees around their expensive homes? But Fresno do not forget for a moment that it was your vote that brought in the present administration.

I just saw a lady walk by my window, wearing a facemask. It reminded me of the Fresno School district employee with a Spanish surname who just returned from a 5 day business trip to Mexico with wife and daughter, reportedly having done mostly sightseeing according to the short Fresno Bee newspaper item.

Tsar Scharton reminded MOI in a chat that he, Mr. Scharton, had been here since dirt was planted and knew well what ailed Downtown. Having been a 'mover and shaker' for so long, he was ever 'au fait' with how to solve the dead Downtown area. Mind, Mayor Swearengin feels so comfy with Mr. Scharton's abilities that she got him a $128,000.00 a year pay packet. Quite a lot of cash to be told that trees have to go.

Although I tend to agree with you about the trees, you don't do our side of the debate any favors when you (carelessly?) misstate facts and issues. First, the "timid lawyers" don't decide policy or determine the city's actions - the mayor and city council do that. The city attorneys can only do what they're directed to do. Second, if you'd taken even a cursory glance at what Scharton has written and said about downtown over the last several years, you'd know he doesn't view the downtown problem as being only the mall. Not even close. You make it look like you're the one who hasn't done your homework.

(Sorry for the ascerbic tone, but I figure since you dish it out...)

I attended a citizen's discussion meeting last week with Craig Scharton and other city staffers, and the discussion was constructive if not revelatory. MANY cities have successfully revitalized their decayed downtowns in the last decade. The techniques and methods are relatively well-established.

The two presently absent elements of a successful downtown Fresno are commitment from all departments of the city and a little money.

First, the city has to present a united front to the blightlords of downtown. To quote the Beatles, "Let me tell you how it will be...". The city must line up the regulations and the enforcement tools and tell the blightlords how it will be. Residential mixed-use redevelopment is probably the key.

Second, the city must be prepared to subsidize a handful of key businesses to get people with MONEY to come downtown. An entertainment destination is probably the best concept so far for the Fulton Mall area. Subsidize a few well-run restaurants, night clubs, bars, maybe a bookstore, etc. while encouraging residential redevelopment of the tall buildings, and they will come.

Leave the trees as they are.

I think that they should save the stumps and carve images of all past mayors who wasted tax dollars in a futile attempt to reverse the inevitable tides of change. Otherwise I look forward to watching the earth first brigade move in to ward off the stihls until a suitable tree auditor can be established.

Trees are pretty.
Trees require maintenance.
Trees are not the problem.

The Mall (all of downtown) requires a specific plan to be developed. The specific plan will be just that...specific.

Let's see what develops. Sometimes it is helpful to get the discussion going.

The fulton mall will be less appealing without the trees. They provide shade as well as help with the air. When I go there to visit a friend I am getting to the nexty shady tree as quick as I can.

No it's not a "Bush thing". Not even partisan categorizing. But I had been in the loop for many years and I knew who was who in local government, and I knew their political philosophy. And I am sure that T. C. Morgan is no youngster and he should know better than....and we all know what that is.

First of all, why does this have to be a political situation. I am a teenager and i feel that taking away the trees is not a good idea, we need green down town. Why don't you get bids to put in up scale stores downtown and have more officers patrolling the downtown area which will make us feel safer. Downtown revitalization should be a priority in this city. It is a shame that there are people who live in Fresno and have never been downtown, or if they have, they will not bring friends from other states to see downtown. Why cant we all just get along and put our brains together to brighten up our downtown so we all can be proud of it. Lets get volunteers from our schools to help clean up, paint, plant flowers, and just basically do a makeover. Teenagers are willing to help all you have to do is ask. So we ready, how about all you politicians are u ready to come together (republicans, democrats, and liberals).

First, a reporter asked me about trees in downtown, I did not raise the issue.

I have spent many, many hours with code enforcement and the City Attorney's office enforcing our codes against irresponsible property owners and another good chunk of time trying to work with property owners and potential investors to improve our downtown buildings. I do not think I have spent more than a couple of hours on tree-related issues other than very positive discussions with our public works department about possible solutions to get irrigation to tree wells , so that can get more trees downtown.

Nothing in my conversation with the reporter or in the article suggests that I said anything about ripping out trees. I didn't even mention pruning or weeding for that matter. It is true that downtowns throughout the U.S. have worked to find trees that fit their environment, therefore achieving a balance between beauty, light, shade, signage, and care. That was the point, in context, of my "balance" quote.

My work bringing trees to Fresno, in a variety of ways, has been covered in your newspaper on many occasions, so I won't list them for you.

Craig

I was pretty mystified to hear that the city would be doing a lot of thinking about the trees on Fulton Mall this summer.

I consoled myself by deciding that once summer and its 115 degree days come, no one could find an unimpeded Fulton skyline *that* appealing.

Doesn't Craig Scharton want to host a load of cultural fairs and the like on the mall? How exactly will crowds be lured to blocks of concrete under the summer sun? It's hard enough as it is.

Central Park works as it is. The Fulton Mall does not. Which of the two needs a change? (rhetorical question alert)
k-

Norah M; thank you for responding. It is not a political situation at all. It became political because words have been put into the blogger's mouth by a blogger who is an expert in it. For what purpose I do not know because in context with debate it is useless. But I should have framed my statement more carefully. The overriding thought was that people usually react in predictable ways. And I had known most of the local powers that be. It is wonderful that a teenager is interested in community affairs. Again, Thank you!

"...achieving a balance between beauty, light, shade, signage, and care." I also heard that from the owners of the Sierra Pavilion Center in Clovis. One Saturday morning, when Cityhall was closed, they came and chopped down the trees and shreddded them at the site. And by the time we could get hold of City Council person Pat Wynne, half of the trees were gone. She put a stop to it, but it was but a respite. And before words are being put into my mouth again, I have no idea what is on Mr. Sharton's mind concerning the parklike ambiance on the Fulton Mall. I know a lot about him but I don't know him. I hope he abides by the message that the people of Fresno want to keep the trees on the mall.

If anyone would like to schedule a walk down the mall and have a conversation about downtown revitalization efforts, please send an email to cynthia.dondero@fresno.gov.

We are going to form a specific land use plan for the Fulton Mall and surrounding areas later this summer. This type of plan is used in most downtown areas but has not been used in our downtown. The formation of the specific plan will be led by a citizen's committee. If you are interestested in serving on the committee, let Cynthia know and she'll give you an application. All of the meetings will be open to the public and will seek everyone's thoughts and ideas.

This will be a great opportunity to discuss issues like trees, landscape, traffic, historic preservation, housing, design and parking.

I look forward to developing this multi-dimensional plan with all of you downtown enthusiasts. This will be the legally-binding document that will guide downtown for many years. This is a tool that most revitalized downtowns have used. I look forward to working with all of you on its creation.

Craig

Craig, glad you stopped in. I've been thinking about the Fulton Mall and the work you've got cut out for you. No small task, but I'd like to offer up a model. Have you ever been to the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica?

I used to work for a production company there. Our offices and edit bays were in a second story space overlooking the promenade. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful this place is. It's 3 blocks of "walk-only" shopping, restaurants with patios and some with balconies, theaters, street performers, sculptures, gardens, kiosks and more. It was a wonderful place to be everyday and always something new. At night it transformed into a hot spot. Sparkling lights lit up trees and fountains while the crowds made there way past entertaining street performers and night clubs.

Arnold filmed a couple of scenes from "Jingle All The Way" at the toy store next to us. I got to spend a few minutes with him in the back alley between scenes. If only I knew then that he would be our future governor. There were many other stars I spotted wandering around the shops, but that's because it's L.A. and that comes with the territory.

Anyway, if you've never been there, please make it a point to visit on a weekend. I say weekend because you'll not only see it during the day, but Friday nights and Saturday nights are the best nights. The weather should be perfect and I'm sure you're mind will swirl with ideas.

Hotels and parking are a breeze. There are several multi-level parking structures that will put you practically in the middle of things.

Here are a couple of links:

SantaMonica.com

Here's an excerpt from the next link:

Until just a few years ago, this was a rather shabby part of town, filled with vacant, dilapidated storefronts. But very little of that sad history remains today; it is rapidly being swept away by the onslaught of new money and new faces, and by a deluge of multiscreen movie theatres, upscale boutiques, and trendy sidewalk cafés. Shoppers and businesses alike are now flocking to what was once a desolate and dreary district, transforming it into a dynamic new neighborhood which pulses with energy.

SeeingStars.com

Let me know if I can give you any specifics to make your way around easier. You'll be glad you visited.

Scot! I was a Fulton Mall shopper from its earliest. The sumnmer mid day heat made me head for the Moyer's Stage to get back to Clovis to my shady acre. But what put an end to the Fulton Mall shopping was the abomidable down-town parking. And they tell me that it is worse now.
And the mall itself needs to be cleared of those horrible trashy shops. With good shops down there once more, the trees would be an asset.

Paul...believe me I agree with your assessment of Fresno's downtown. In fact, let me quote myself from the thread Will Craig Scharton be Fresno's 'downtown czar'? from December 19th, 2008:

"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."

I was actually masking what you came out and said.

As for the 3rd Street Promenade, you're right, it has a huge advantage. However, I hope Craig visits there for ideas, or like I said, a model. There are several things there which can be incorporated into a revitalization project here. I like the fact that the Promenade is street performer friendly. They are part of the draw. People with their wares, and arts and crafts on rolling circus-like carts are also a great addition. Fountains, topiary, reflecting pools, gardens, pavers, kiosks, colorful flags and banners, tree lights at night, clubs, theaters, all things that can be implemented here to help liven up the mall and make it a walking pleasure. One attraction the Promenade has to visitors is that you don't have to shop. Only a small percentage of people actually park, shop and leave. There's so much more to keep you there.

Paul and Scot,

3rd Street Promenade is a great spot. I've visited the area several times from 1987 (two years after their renovation) and a recently as March 2009. They have done a remarkable job. They do have different demographics and geography, no doubt. But their $15 million investment in the renovation now yields $15 million annually, just for their Property Based Improvement district! Not a bad return.

They did some interesting things. Initially they weren't sure if they wanted traffic or not, so the re-design allowed for traffic. They were so busy after they reopened that they never allowed the traffic. The curbs and gutters keep people on the sidewalk, near the store windows, even though there aren't any cars. They also filled-in the middle with kiosks, topiaries and street performers, again to keep shoppers near the windows.

Take me up on my offer, let's walk the mall sometime.

Craig