This image of Otay Ranch in Chula Vista, Calif. was shown to the Fresno City Council as an example of a “complete neighborhood.”
On April 5, Fresno City Council heard alternatives to the 2035 General Plan. They decided to wait until April 19 to make their final decision on Fresno’s plan, and during that time, we’ve been discussing which alternative we think is best: Alternative A.
[divider]When I heard about the City Council wanting to make some changes to Fresno, I thought, “Ok, well that’s good, right?”
I mean, change is good, but then I found out there are several options for the new General Plan. The ones that are getting the most attention are Alternatives A and E. Plan A is basically just fixing what is already here, and Plan E is going further out into farm land and building houses there.
I think Alternative A is better for many reasons.
Why would we waste the space that is already here in Fresno and not use it, especially if it’s an abandoned place that is just sitting there, doing nothing but looking ugly?
The farm land Alternative E plans to expand on could be used to grow fruits and vegetables instead of houses. When I walk or drive by streets that are in the downtown area, I see a lot of empty lots and buildings that no one is using. I don’t think ignoring them and going further out into farmland is going to help this problem. I feel like people are just lazy and don’t want to use these places. Instead, they plan to use new land. If that happens, what will become of the land here in Fresno that is already put to use? It will start to look even more run down.
I was born here and I will probably die here, but I wouldn’t want Fresno to die as well. I want this city to be even better for future generations.
-Ellen
[divider]A safe recreational park would be necessary also. Since a park would give children a place to exercise and have fun. This can take away time for them to go do anything bad. The park must be in a safe place and shouldn’t be a hot spot of violence and drugs like some parks in Fresno.
Also, it will improve our neighborhoods that need work. Fixing sidewalks seems more reasonable than building new houses on Fresno’s outskirts.
Even though I just moved to another part of town, I would love to visit my old neighborhood and see changes. My old neighborhood wasn’t the worst, but it could definitely be better. Fencing and new building and remodeling would be great.
I hope that the City Council goes with Option A, so that we as a community can grow stronger.
-Richard
In 2006, over 25 youth began participating in weekly after-school writing workshops where they congregated in the hallway of a two-story building in West Fresno and learned the essentials of creating media and telling their stories. The group evolved over the next five years and is now proudly recognized as The kNOw Youth Media.
Through our program, we create opportunities for our youth participants, who in turn create long-term positive change in their communities. Our approach weaves youth development and youth media innovation to produce our biannual youth publication, multimedia projects, and community forums.
The kNOw began as a project of New America Media, which was the country’s first and largest national collaboration and advocate of 2000 ethnic news organizations. In 2018 The kNOw became a project of Youth Leadership Institute.
