Finding the CAN-do in Temporary Activation Designing a Temporary Urban Park Space on a Future Housing Site in Fresno, California Project Summary Community: Fresno, California Technical Assistance: Site Reuse Design and Funding Support Former Use: Auto Business Future Use: Temporary Community Park and Affordable Housing Fresno, California is a diverse community in the San Joaquin Valley, supported by multiple industrial and agricultural activities in the area. West Fresno is a primarily Black and Hispanic community, identified as an environmental justice area, which has suffered from its proximity to meat processing plants and other heavy agricultural uses. The area lacks significant public amenities such as parks and green space. The California Avenue Neighborhood (CAN) Triangle Site is an approximately 3.5-acre property in West Fresno, owned by Fresno Housing. Short term plans (1- 5 years) include activating the site with interim uses that benefit community residents. Long term plans (5+ years) call for the site and the surrounding neighborhood to be redeveloped with mixed income rental housing that will be constructed, owned, and operated by Fresno Housing. The Community's Challenge While the site is ultimately slated for redevelopment into affordable housing by Fresno Housing, the City of Fresno and the West Fresno California Avenue Neighborhood Association is interested in exploring ways to activate this large space for community benefit before construction begins. However, the city does not have an established process for permitting temporary uses and Fresno Housing would need additional resources to complete the project. EPA's Land Revitalization Technical Assistance In 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Land Revitalization Program provided contractor technical assistance to complete a site reuse design and develop a funding support report to understand the possibility of temporarily activating the CAN Triangle Site. The team was tasked with assisting Fresno develop a site plan for a community park that complements current revitalization activities, such as the Farmer's Market, while not permanently redeveloping the space. The team analyzed the existing physical and environmental site conditions and discussed future housing plans with Fresno Housing. The team also participated in a community open house to present possible park elements to community members and gathered feedback on desired amenities. The final plan provides a phased approach to create a temporary space on the CAN Triangle Site that aligns with both the construction schedule of Fresno Housing and provides suggestions on how the city can support this effort. The plan presents low-cost and easy to implement projects to capitalize on recent activities funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant. The plan also provides options for future build-out of the site to match community needs based on available funding or changes to construction commencement. The final report provides key next steps and program development opportunities for the city to consider and outlines potential funding resources to implement the project. Community Open House, September 2022. For more information, contact Nova Blazej, EPA Region 9 at Blazei.Nova@epa.gov or Sahar Rana, EPA OBLR at Rana.Sahar@epa.gov. United States Environmental Protection ^*^1 M * Agency Office of Brownfields arid Land Revitalization 560-F-23-338 ------- |