Brand on rejuvenating neighborhoods
The Redevelopment Agency or RDA is the primary vehicle for rejuvenating downtown and older neighborhoods. The RDA is a state mandated agency that is an adjunct to the city council. City council members are the board members who direct this agency. Other methods to improve older neighborhoods include the “no neighborhood left behind” program started a few years. I do believe it is important to maintain our older neighborhoods not only for the residents who live there but also to encourage more infill development. In the next four years, it will be difficult to fund many worthwhile projects in Fresno. I do believe, however, that we need to keep maintenance of older neighborhoods high on our priority list.
Running Horse offered a promise of a PGA golf course and a large, upscale residential development in West Fresno. From my many years of experience in real estate, I knew that the success of Running Horse was problematic at best. In the best real estate market in the past 100 years the luxury homes could not be sold. I believe we need to be more realistic in future developments trying to restore neglected areas like West Fresno. We need smaller, first time buyer home tracts in areas like West Fresno that will offer residents the dream of home ownership at affordable prices.