Fulton Mall tours end as city nears its transformation into Fulton Street

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno's downtown is in the middle of major changes, and Saturday marks the last day for a recent tradition.

Landscapers are working weekends to put finishing touches on the last stretch of Fulton that's not quite a street but no longer a mall.

For two years, Fresno's former downtown revitalization czar has led curious people down Fulton, laying out his vision for something not seen here for 53 years, and the metamorphosis he hopes it'll prompt.

"People sitting outside," Craig Scharton said. "That's what makes people feel more secure and safer and have a better time."

Scharton envisions restaurants up and down Fulton, rooftop bars by Chukchansi Park, and music coming from nearly every corner. The process is slow, but Fulton Street will be a reality in October - about five months behind schedule.

So Scharton led one last tour Saturday morning and the crowd was never bigger. Dozens of people checked out the nearly finished product and they liked what they saw.

"It looks good," Rudy Perez said. "I think they have a lot in place to not only try to get people here but to grow the area as well."

Perez took the tour a few times to monitor the progress, and he's excited about the grand reopening. The stores haven't changed much since the first tour in 2015, and 18 storefronts are empty.

But at least for one day, on October 21 where you see chains and locks now, there will be pop-up stores filled with trendy fashion and jewelry.

"We are getting there," Scharton said. "It's still really a lot of work ahead, but this really gets it started."

And Scharton's vision will come even more into focus.