Fresno city leaders are taking yet another step to address the cities long term challenges. Wednesday, Mayor Ashley Swearengin, along with several other city and community leaders, announced the first ever "Presidents' Council."
The council will focus on things like unemployment and poverty, and a big item on the list is revitalizing downtown in a way that's proving to be controversial.
The controversy surrounds the Fulton Mall, and the idea to replace it's pedestrian walkways with roads. It's a move that some say hurts the history of the city's downtown, but one that supporters say will pave the way for a more vibrant city altogether.
Wednesday, the ribbon was cut and the doors opened to the newest business on the Fulton Mall; The Little Bean Cafe.
Owner Guillermo Moreno says, "Today you are entering our dream; our dream of a coffee shop and crepes."
Another dream is for a booming business. Guillermo Moreno knows it's tough to survive on the Fulton Mall, and that's why he's in support of a change; a change that could drive in more life.
"It would be great to have our customers park in front of our coffee shop, run in and grab on the go," says Moreno.
Moreno says it just makes economic sense to open the mall up to city traffic. That's one of the focal points of a brand new Fresno "Presidents' Council." It's a group compiled of city leaders in education, agriculture and healthcare, who are all on board with turning the six block pedestrian mall into a street.
Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin says, "There is a vacancy rate along the mall that is two and half times higher than other vacancy rates outside the mall, so we know that something isn't working."
Virginia Waring says the important thing is preserving history. She's worked in the Fulton Mall for 15 years.
Waring says, "It's part of the character of our downtown, it's what makes it unique."
Mayor Swearengin says the project plans to keep 74% of the historical features; a balance that Moreno hopes everyone can benefit from.
"We really need a road and we need more vehicular traffic so that other anchors and other mom and pop shops will start springing up in the mall," says Moreno.
It would cost about $20 million to put a road through the Fulton Mall. $16 million of that has already been awarded to the city through a federal grant. City council is expected to make a final vote on the proposal, Thursday.