Kern St: Please shut me up with success

Okay... So I was able to meet with city officials to get some info about the Kern Street "Sports Town" project. I have to say that I'm conflicted. On one hand, I really do want downtown vibrancy. On the other hand, I'm not sure this is the project to do it. However, I'm all for improved streetscapes. Well, before I go off too much on what I think, let me share what I learned and dispel some of the rumors.

Rumor #1.
Construction on the Kern Street "Sports Town improvements" is scheduled to begin next week.

True.

Rumor #2
The City is planning to tear out and repave the sidewalks of Kern St. and replace the lampposts.

True.
City officials are hoping to bring nightlife vibrancy to Kern St. They would like to enhance the corridor between the Convention Center and the ballpark -- especially since there are events and projects that will be bringing people to the area: the live/work "legacy" project, the return to downtown of the Falcons, opening day of the baseball season.

Their current concern is that the existing historic-looking (but not historic) lampposts do not generate enough light for those not familiar with downtown to feel safe. The new lamps the City has already purchased give twice the light for the same energy, but have a different footprint than the existing lampposts. The lampposts will have decorative banners. They also require a different kind of conduit. The lights require that areas of the concrete be replace. Their plan is to replace the all the concrete with new colored concrete and integrated colored pavers.

Additionally, they will be adding up-lights for the tree and putting LED lights in the trees.

There is also some current issues with part of the irrigation system that needs to be replaced.

Rumor #3
The City is planning on adding sports focuses plaques for a "walk of fame".

True.
The plan included embedded 18"x18" bronze plaques that will feature local sports hall of fame inductees and teams to create a "Sports Walk of Fame" on both sides of Kern Street between Van Ness and M Street.

Rumor #4
The city had a public meetings.

Kinda True.
They had a public meeting at the Downtown Club that businesses along Kern Street were invited to. They also showed it to the Chamber's downtown task force.

I am unaware of other public meetings, but have asked if they could let me know.

Rumor #5
The new lampposts and design vernacular will become the standard for downtown.

Kinda True.
According to the City, the landscape architect chose the new lamppost as a way to tie in what is being used on the Fulton Mall and what is being used in the convention center area. I personally have not checked out to see if this is true. My hope is to get a photo of the lamppost -- that has already been ordered -- to share with all of you.

One of the issues I personally have is that by default, because this is going to be build, that it will definitely impact the design standards for downtown. Wouldn't it make more sense to look at the design standards holistically?

Rumor #6
The price tag is between $750,000 and $1 million.

True. The budget is $936,241.

I'm not sure how the math exactly pencils out. One of the meeting participants asked to see a budget. If I get a copy, I will let you know. According to notes that I took, $800k has already been earmarked for the Kern Street improvements ($400k in 2007 and $400k in 2008).

Additional funding possibilities:
$150k from Measure C appropriated funds
$80k from an expired concessions agreement originally designated for improvements in and around the Fresno Convention Center.
$20k in Measure C ASA ramp revenues
$50k from the Sports Council

Rumor #7
They are going to tear out the trees and replace them with Palm trees.

False.
According to Bruce Rudd, they are going to keep the existing trees and and additional three trees.

Okay... That is sifting the fact from fiction. Now I can't help but to share my opinion which is mixed. As I mentioned earlier, I believe in downtown. I spend money and time in downtown, but I realize this is not true for the average Fresnan. So, do we try to attract the average Fresnan downtown or do we look to attract those that already have a predisposition to go downtown at night. I can say personally, that my decision on whether to spend time downtown has less to do with the streetscape or parking or any of the infrastructure and more about the businesses that are there. I want to like every business that goes into downtown. But the truth is, I don't. I love Tokyo Gardens for the dive that it is (and I mean that in a good way). I loved the old Kern Street Coffee. I really like Mezcal and Smokehouse, but there really isn't any businesses open late on Kern except for the Olive Press which is open until 6pm.

I think if the goal was to create a more vibrant corridor that the funds could be used in different ways that would have a more immediate return on the investment. A beautiful empty street is still empty.

However, I do think downtown is investment-worthy. We should demand the best. The upgrades that were made to the Saroyan are terrific. The same project management team that worked on that will be working on this. That gives me hope.

Bottom line is that I agree with the intention of this project. I don't think the project would ruin Kern St. But I'm not sure it will make it a million dollars better. I do have problems with parts of the project. There is too many vagaries around the design, the source of the design, and how the design impacts or ties into the surrounding area.

And I have more questions...
Is this really the best use of funds? Does that even matter since the funds are already earmarked?

Will using Measure C funding for this project take away the much needed Measure C funding for the bankside trail project?

What is the maintenance cost and how will they be paid?

When were the public meetings and how were they noticed? (I try to pay attention to these things, and I missed it. What about those who aren't paying attention?) I do know that they went to the Historic Preservation Commission on Monday. If you are on the HPC mailing list, you would have received an agenda and notice. (Note: I've asked that those notices be posted on MindHub moving forward. They are looking into it.)

It might be too late to impact this project. And what if we did? Would it end up being the same only with a delay?

I appreciate the time that the city officials took to explain the project to me. I understand the criteria behind the decisions. And I understand how using that criteria they came to their decisions. I'm just not sure I agree. I truly hope this works and Kern becomes a vibrant place beyond 5pm. Nothing would make me happier. Please shut me up with success.

By the way, on Tuesday at 9:30am the additional funding of $80k to extend the motif east of M will be heard by City Council. If you want to learn more or voice your POV, go.