Fulton Mall / Update 2024
I took a trip up Highway 99 and stopped in Fresno again.
This is a sore topic around here. Although I drive down Fulton Street every time I'm in Fresno, I haven't posted about it since 2016. Over the years I've done many posts about the mall. The first was in 2010.
The Fulton Mall in 1967
For a recap, in the mid-1950s Downtown Fresno merchants and city officials were looking for ways to revitalize the central business district. They hired Victor Gruen to create a visionary plan. With the help of legendary landscape architect Garrett Eckbo, they created a grand pedestrian orientated design that linked the six-block business district to the civic center.
The Fulton Mall opened in 1964 (Happy 60th Anniversary) and was a nationally-recognized success, both commercially and in terms of design.
The art at the Fulton Mall included 20 sculptures by artists found in major museum collections. This includes large sculptures by Claire Falkenstein, Stan Bitters and George Tsutakawa. The art was initially funded by private citizens to provide “an outdoor Museum of Art.” The sculpture, mosaics, and Jan De Swart clock tower cost over $200,000 in 1964.
Watch A City Reborn for a period explanation of the forward thinking that brought city leaders to transform the underinvested corridor.
Photo: tterrapix
Here is the current view. The City of Fresno chose to go backwards and used a Federal grant to rip out great public space and artwork for more land dedicated to the automobile. This was poor and outdated planning that made this once special place look like every other street in Fresno's downtown area.
Pre-1964 Fulton St.
At least the current version has fewer lanes.
As a consolation for ruining his design, they installed a Garrett Eckbo informational panel.
I won't do a blow by blow documentation of the carnage, but many of the sculptures and landscape features were moved or removed. One of the promises of the plan was that the artwork would be restored.
Before: George Tsutakawa sculptural fountain
After: Decapitated
It happened in 2021 but still hasn't been restored.
Some of the art has been restored but I believe this Bitters fountain has since been damaged.
Before: Claire Falkenstein
After: No Claire
Stan Bitters
Surprise, surprise, the vacancy problem wasn't solved. Obviously many factors are in play with retail but there seems to be many more vacancies than pre-demolition.
The Jan de Swart clock tower is still standing proud.
The Peter Voulkos sculpture has been relocated next to a parking garage.
The mall has such good bones.
The courthouse
The Crest Theater is still standing, barely.
You can go through old Fulton Mall posts here.