Fresno mayor announces neighborhoods chosen for revitalization plan

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A big move is underway in Fresno to revamp some of its older neighborhoods as part of the city's Restore Fresno initiative

"We count on residents to say we need speed bumps, here we need stop signs there," Fresno mayor Ashley Swearengin said. "And that sort of partnership enables the city to now focus its limited resources and really create the kind of the results residents want to see."

On Monday, Swearengin mapped out neighborhoods where the city will focus its effort to restore living conditions and improve property values. Together with the help of Fresno Unified, the city will provide each community support through neighborhood revitalization teams

"It's little things like residents coming together and saying, 'Hey look, we need to do some trash pick up in this neighborhood,' and we can mobilize our resources," Swearengin said. "Take care of some things the city can't do. We see that sort of collaboration happening."

Roughly $1.4 million has been set aside by the city to improve communities. Money to support revitalization in Fresno is currently being used in five neighborhoods before expanding to 10 more for a total of 15. Michaelynn Lewis has seen the benefits of the mayor's plan first hand in her community.

"What we focused on was safety in the neighborhood so the kids would have a better way to walk and families could thrive and we could attract economic development and we've been doing a lot of work and the city of Fresno has been behind us 100 percent," she said.