Iconic Fulton Mall clock tower relocated as construction continues on Fulton Street

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Dozens of onlookers watched while some used camera phones to capture the two hour process to relocate the 6,000 pound clock tower that has stood at the center of Fresno's Fulton Mall since 1964.

The carefully crafted crane operation to lift and carry the iconic monument 30 feet to its new home took months of planning.

Randall Morrison, the project manager, "We've been working on the project for about 14 months and the contractor and art have been working on the plan, working with the structural engineer, working on all the details for moving the clock tower, since the beginning of the project."

Fast forward more than five decades, the plan is to restore the clock tower to its original glory at the corner of Fulton and Mariposa.

"This was the center of the Fresno Community and this was the center of the Fulton Mall," said Franklin Brown, Fresno.

It is as if time has stood still for Brown-- he was just six-years-old when he and his grandfather watched as the brilliant center piece was dropped into place back in 1964.

"It was absolutely beautiful-- it glistened, it was like a rocket ship almost."

Work is still being done to open the mall to two-way traffic later this year. Relocating and restoring the clock tower is part of the city's $20-million renovation budget.

"Five-million dollars of the $20-million for the project cost was spent in the curation and restoration of all of the artworks," said Mark Standriff, City of Fresno Spokesman.

The city will officially open the Fulton Mall to vehicle traffic on October 21st.