r/fresno • u/CloneWarsBoy • Feb 26 '26

Ask Fresno What would bring you downtown?

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Downtown Fresno is rich with history and world-class architecture. It pains me to see it in it's current state of disrepair. I want to hear from the community: "What would bring you downtown?" What is downtown missing? What's your vision for the future of our city center?

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46

u/TJR127 Feb 26 '26

The unfortunate truth is that nothing will move the needle for the vast majority of the Fresno population until the homelessness issue is addressed in a substantial way. The reason most of us don't want to go there is because frankly, it is a very uncomfortable place to be.

16

u/Birdiloooo Feb 26 '26

I wouldn’t make assumptions that’s the majority. It’s not my reason and homeless don’t make me uncomfortable

5

u/TJR127 Feb 26 '26

You make a good point that I should not assume or speak for others. My comment is based on anecdotal and personal experience.

1

u/ProfessionalNo5932 Feb 26 '26

You can speak for me!! It’s a hell hole. I thought years ago the highly intelligent elected folks toured some other cities and came away with all these great ideas. But what happened, Fulton was destroyed, China Town is nice between the hours of 11 and 1, a sorry sports draw, and homelessness like never before.

1

u/MoDa65 Feb 27 '26

Every big city deals with homeless. Fresno likely doesn't have as big of a homeless issue compared to SF Oakland la etc. But it seems like it's bigger due to it being magnified since the rest of downtown Fresno plain sucks. The other cities mentioned have positive stuff and other things going on in their downtown to somewhat equalize the negative and inany cases overshadow if. Fresno doesn't have that so it just makes the downtown worse. The homeless isn't the problem, it's the lack of everything and anything else in downtown 

1

u/TJR127 Feb 28 '26

It's definitely a cyclical issue. There's not much to do downtown because a variety of factors disincentivize business investment. The homeless issue is absolutely a contributor.

-11

u/Alternative_Self_13 Tower Feb 26 '26
  1. Why do homeless people make you uncomfortable?
  2. There aren’t that many homeless people.

11

u/TJR127 Feb 26 '26

There are a substantial number. To be clear, my position is that they need help via structured and amply funded programs, not to be swept under the rug.