broadway redesign Archives

Broadway streetscape project almost done, results are disappointing

On June 26, 2014February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

It’s been almost three years since the project was announced, and now the Broadway streetscape project in downtown Fresno is almost done. The plan involved giving Broadway a small road diet, removing a center turn lane and one general lane to add angled parking on each side. The project included absolutely no bicycle accommodations (contrary to the master plan) but did add some amenities for pedestrians in the form of sidewalk extensions at intersections.

Sadly, the project has done many things wrong. The lack of attention to detail shows that Fresno does not have a planner that understands bicycle or pedestrian planning – or even basic ADA. Sort of shocking for a city of half a million. Let’s take a look. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : back-in parking broadway broadway redesign downtown fresno gv urban streetscape7 Comments

Broadway Streetscape Project Photo Update

On February 14, 2014February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

I’ve a lot of large posts I want to put together….however these photos I took a couple of weeks ago are getting stale, so I need to finish posting them!

Here’s quick look at the Broadway streetscape project. I took some photos a few weeks earlier, and construction has moved slowly. Mind you, the entire project has moved slowly. Here’s the times I’ve written about it, excluding the above link:

September 2011: Project announced
September 2011: Full details – Construction scheduled for 2012 (lols)
July 2013: Comparison with LA Broadway streetscape project Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : broadway broadway redesign christmas downtown fresno downtown fresno partnership fulton mall ice skating rink peeve's peeve's public houseLeave a comment

Downtown Update: Peeve’s, Broadway, Fulton Mall

On December 24, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

I did some rounds downtown this week, and took some (but not enough) pictures. I decided to combine them into one update.

Peeve’s Public House, the successor to the Fresno Brewing Company on the Fulton Mall had their grand opening for a small market which sells only local goods. There’s a good selection of items, and prices range from attractive to ludicrous.

photo 2013-12-20221126_zps3d6a45f8.jpg

The bar area hasn’t changed much from the FBC days, although they have a larger menu of drinks. Hooray for cider on tap. On the other hand, their non-alcoholic drink menu (coffees, teas) has shrunk.

photo 2013-12-20223200_zps7d11f362.jpg

Outside, they’ve decorated their tree. In the past, I’ve said that the “Downtown Fresno Partnership” should do more to make the mall a holiday destination, especially by investing in lighting. It’s a shame that they’ve done no such thing – there’s nothing festive about the mall. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : broadway broadway redesign fresno los angeles master plan pedestrian road diet streetcar streetscapeLeave a comment

What Fresno can learn from LA: Broadway Street Project

On July 30, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

A couple of weeks ago I posted about Los Angeles’s new pedestrian czar, a position Fresno really needs to add. Well, that’s not the only thing Fresno can mimic from LA.

Los Angeles and Fresno both share a street downtown with the same name: Broadway. Both have/had theater activity, and were once bustling centers of activity. Today, Broadway in LA is still full of merchants, but almost all are low rent. Almost every theater is shuttered. Fresno’s Broadway is in worse shape – most buildings have simply been demolished. Of course, there are some bright spots, like the Rainbow Ballroom and the Crest, and even some new projects in the work, such as a large residential development. Click to read more!

Categories : UncategorizedTags : angled parking assemi back-in parking bike lanes broadway broadway redesign downtown fresno gv urban planning commissionLeave a comment

Next GV Urban project revealed

On April 29, 2013February 19, 2018 By jamesinclair

Earlier this year, GV Urban proposed their newest residential project downtown, around the site of the former Met museum. This week they go before the planning commission with their next project, this time on Broadway.

The company has focused almost exclusively on Fulton, so it’s nice to see them branch out a block over to Broadway, which has been neglected. For those not familiar with the area, Fulton is the main street, and has Broadway on one side and Van Ness on the other as other major streets in the area. Today, Broadway is mostly auto-focused businesses, and most of them are closed. Click to read more!