White House official and a noted national journalist praise Fresno's Fulton Street project

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The restoration of Fulton Street is well underway. The $20-million project paid for mostly by the federal government and Wednesday a White House officials came out to see if they are getting their monies worth.

The Director of the Federal Office of Management and Budget got a tour of the Fulton Street project and said the $16-million the federal government put in looks like it's being well spent.

"The sign to me we are getting our monies worth is progress, it's real. I just saw it with my own eyes, and also more folks are jumping on the train, so to speak, and joining this and bringing other resources. So we are getting more bang for our buck that way," said Shaun Donovan, Director of the Federal Office of Management and Budget.

Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin said this project, along with bus rapid transit and programs to help the homeless, have all been made possible with assistance from the Obama administration. Despite potential political differences, the Republican Mayor is grateful.

"We've been very intentional about saying yes whenever help would show up, regardless of what party affiliation may be attached to that."

Swearengin and Donovan attended an event put on by California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley where another fan of Fresno. Journalist James Fallows was speaking.

Fallows did a series of articles in Atlantic Monthly on Fresno, noting the positive progress the city is making .

"I am impressed by what you all have done here I am going to try and put it in a national perspective."

Much of that made possible by help from the White house.

Swearengin hopes this Federal partnership continues with the next administration no matter who's in the White House.