Fulton Street getting closer to reopening to the public

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Construction crews are working to open up Fulton Street, as the area gets closer to starting a new chapter in its history.

Downtown Fresno Partnership Interim Director Craig Scharton said, "Once you allow the life to begin to flow again, businesses do better, new businesses pop up, and you do everything on the right trajectory."

Scharton said the former pedestrian mall should start opening up to vehicles in the coming weeks with new life, and now comes a push for new companies. On Friday, the Downtown Fresno Partnership is launching a business incubator called Fulton Marketplace.

"So this is an opportunity for them to have a space for six months and kind of build their customer base, test out their product and service," said Downtown Fresno Foundation Executive Director Jenna Chilingerian.

Chilingerian said four companies will ultimately share a low to no cost temporary retail space on Fulton Street.

"In 2015 we launched a similar program called 'Create Here,' and through that program we saw six new local businesses and over 50 jobs, and so a couple of years later, we're looking to do something similar and we have a brand new street and lots of vacant spaces available."

The partnership will mentor the businesses-- small emerging businesses and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply. Scharton said he hopes to see more thriving and diverse businesses in the Downtown District.

"So we look at the Pacific Southwest Building having a bar or a restaurant on the 15th floor. That's not something any other part of the region is going to have," said Scharton.

Downtown Fresno opens to the public October 21st.

The Fulton Marketplace program kicks off Friday-- if all goes well those four businesses could be in a retail space in summer of 2018.