The objective

The objective of the Better Blackstone Design Challenge (BBDC) was to produce conceptual architectural/urban designs for spatially feasible, transit-oriented development (TOD) within four specific activity center areas along the Blackstone Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor at Shaw, Shields, Weldon and Olive Avenues. Utilizing the talents of six experienced local professional design team members and interactive parcel maps, these thoughtful designs compellingly illustrate possibilities consistent with zoning regulations for new mixed-use development projects with affordable and mixed-income housing. Primary design work and community reviews were conducted during peak COVID period restrictions in 2020-2021. See below to view our project timeline.

BBDC is a model for effective institutional-community collaboration, linking urban and regional transportation and land-use planning with local community-based organizations, through state funding. Click here to meet our contributors.

The Need

Fresno faces pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges due to outdated development patterns favoring car-centric and low-density sprawl, especially in the context of emerging significant impacts from climate change. This has drained resources from central and south Fresno, leaving these communities with concentrated poverty, pollution burdens, and accumulating urban decay and blight. The Blackstone Corridor mirrors this disinvestment, urging the need for revitalization through quality development, jobs, and housing that support public transit and multi-modal complete streets. Despite existing plans, Fresno lacks a spatially feasible and inspiring vision for implementation of necessary transit-oriented development (TOD).

The Opportunity

The Blackstone Corridor represents Fresno’s backbone, linking six of the seven Fresno City Council Districts (Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7), presenting an opportunity for unified vision and action.

Fresno’s future plans – represented by Fresno COG’s Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and the City of Fresno’s General Plan – rely on better transit and complete streets for a greener, more equitable future. The city and region aim to reduce greenhouse gasses by increasing public transit, walking and biking as mode shares, especially along Blackstone Avenue. The BBDC aligns with these goals, showcasing innovative designs for mixed-use spaces and transit-oriented development. This initiative provides visual examples, traffic studies, and impact analyses to inspire fresh, sustainable ideas and actions for a more connected and equitable Fresno. Click here to read the Better Blackstone Growth Scenario Study by UrbanFootprint.

August 2015

Imagine Blackstone Street Festival at Susan B. Anthony School - Over 500 community participants

November 2015

Imagine Building a Better Blackstone - Michelle Reeves – Multiple events and venues – Produced Blackstone Avenue Opportunities Assessment for Early Infill and Revitalization

2016-2020

Quarterly convening of Better Blackstone Association - an ‘all are welcome committee’ of residents, businesses, agencies, education, government, and more

May 2016

Energize Fresno - Blackstone to Downtown

March 2018

Bolt to College - Fresno City College Ride Share

2018-2019

Southern Blackstone Smart Mobility Strategy

2019-2020

The Better Blackstone Design Challenge & ProNeighborhoods

August 2021

BBDC Virtual Open House

March 2022

BBCD Traffic Study

April 2022

BBDC Urban Footprint Analysis

May 2022 article

Becoming the Blackstone Opportunity Corridor highlighted by arcCA Digest. View Article Here

December 2023

Launched website & interactive maps

We've not only come up with a template, we've also demonstrated how architects, landscape architects, urban designers and non profits can all come together to solve a really difficult problem with so many facets, including economic, health, psychological, and traffic components.

What we've captured is a path to a better quality of life for the people of Fresno. We need some forward thinking here so we don't have more urban blight as we grow. These templates can be utilized readily, and can be used anywhere - it's very encouraging and inspiring.

This is an opportunity to look at what we have, and what we could have. We're exploring alternatives and offering a different viewpoint from what we've done in the past. This shows a better way, something more meaningful, and a new direction.

This template is not super radical... it's common sense with how spaces actually work. This is doable, it makes financial sense, and it's for all the right reasons.

This effort is visionary, and all the graphics, studies, and calculations from this project are now accessible for everyone to use and get inspired. We've already seen some mindsets shift that the old way is not the only way. This is a great gift to the City of Fresno.

This has the potential to inspire people to think about our city, how Blackstone can change, and how the rest of our city can change. I hope it inspires some deep thought about how we should develop and how our city should continue to grow.