Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) –

Fresno

SCOTT STOLLMANEPA

AUGUST 26 , 2013

Where is Fresno, again?

SC2 Fresno Team

Environmental Protection Agency Department of Housing & Urban Development Department of Transportation Department of Agriculture – Rural Development Department of Commerce – EDA Department of Health & Human Services Department of Energy (CIO) Department of Labor General Services Administration Small Business Administration Corporation for National and Community Service White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

SC2 Fresno: Focus Areas

Downtown Revitalization (EPA, DOT, HUD, CNCS)Business Development (SBA, MBDA, GSA, USDA)Economic Development & Innovation (USDA,

DOE, CNCS, DOC-EDA)High Speed Rail (EPA, DOT, HUD, CNCS)Transportation (DOT, EPA)Land Use Planning (EPA, HUD, State of California)Neighborhood Revitalization/Housing (HUD,

HHS, EPA, USDA, CNCS)Homelessness (HUD, HHS)

Projected Benefits of the “Smart Growth” General Plan Alternative as Compared to Continuing Existing

Growth Trends

19% reduction in GHG emissions from transportation and buildings

31% reduction in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT 32% reduction in public health cost: Saves $13.8 million

in health care costs due to reduced air-pollution related illnesses in 2035.

26% reduction in water consumed for new households: Enough water to serve 7,500 homes.

33% reduction in infrastructure costs 11% reduction in building energy use 53% reduction in land consumption (among the most

productive agricultural land in the U.S.): Nearly 10 square miles of land

26% reduction in costs to households, including fuel and auto, energy, and water costs: Saves households an average of $1,240 a year from reduced auto fuel and utility bills.

• The power of place• Big picture view• Connect the dots• Maximize investments

Downtown Revitalization

Downtown Revitalization

11

Downtown economic challenges

Economic indicatorCitywide or regional Downtown Fulton Mall

Office vacancy rate 15.8% 12.7% 46.1%

Office lease rate per s.f. per month $1.68

$1.41(regional avg.

– $0.27)

$1.03(regional avg.

– $0.65)

Major retail vacancy rate 11.0% 11.2% 34.9%

Taxable sales per s.f. per year $274

$203* (citywide avg.

– $71)

$79(citywide avg.

– $195)

Major historic building vacancy N/A 35% 71%

Mariposa Corridor

Mariposa Corridor

Mariposa Corridor

Mariposa Corridor

Downtown Revitalization – Mariposa Plaza

Downtown Revitalization - Mariposa Plaza

Downtown RevitalizationFederal agency leases

UW Tacoma

Health Village,Orlando FL

Downtown Revitalization

Anchor Institutions

Fresno Kings Canyon / Blackstone Bus Rapid Transit Project

Fresno Kings Canyon / Blackstone Bus Rapid Transit Project

Previous Alignment (pre-April 2012)

ALIGNMENTSPrevious

HSR STATION

FULTO

N

MALL

½

mile

Fresno Kings Canyon / Blackstone Bus Rapid Transit Project

ALIGNMENTSCurrentPrevious

HSR STATION

FULTO

N

MALL

½

mile

Fresno Kings Canyon / Blackstone Bus Rapid Transit Project

Formula for Realignment of BRT

Familiarity of federal staff with local planning efforts.Importance of having single FTA Planner involved in all

Fresno-related efforts.Confidence of FTA Planner to hold firm on importance of

realignment, even with the possibility of schedule delays.

Support for realignment by FTA Region 9 leadership.Direct line of communication between federal

government and Mayor’s Office via SC2.Willingness of SC2 Team Lead to communicate concerns

expressed by FTA about the original alignment to Mayor’s Office.

Continued monitoring by SC2 Team Lead.

Relationship with Mayor’s Office

Some Lessons Learned

Some Lessons Learned

Convener/facilitator role

Some Lessons Learned

Conduit for federal programs

Some Lessons Learned

Mileage from technical assistance contracts

Identification of federal/non-federal resources Almost $7 million in new grants for Fresno and more

than $500K in leveraged outside funding

Some Lessons Learned

Open Lines of Communication

Some Lessons Learned

Capacity Building = New Thinking