Tower District
Preservation Association
Preserving. Enhancing. Promoting.

Tower District Specific Plan

Adopted by City Ordinance, March 1991

The Original Tower District Specific Plan Citizens Committee began meeting with city staff and consultants on January 18, 1990 and met almost weekly through December of the same year. The end result was the development of the Tower District Specific Plan. The plan was subsequently adopted as a city ordinance on March 26, 1991 and became effective on April 27.

The purpose of the Specific Plan is to provide the City and residents of the Tower District with a comprehensive structure for managing historic resources and neighborhoods in the face of future change and development. The Plan is divided into several critical components (conservation, land use, open space, circulation, infrastructure and implementation) and is organized to provide a step-by-step understanding of the authority and rationale for all recommendations, concepts and implementation measures.

After thirty years and due to community demand, a new Tower District Specific Plan Implementation Committee has been appointed by the City of Fresno, and the Tower District Specific Plan is currently in the process of being updated.

Map of the Tower District Specific Plan Area

Major Goals of the Tower District Specific Plan

Restore and Reinforce the Historical and Mutually Supportive Relationships Between the Tower District and the Central Area.

Many areas and neighborhoods of the Tower District are closely tied to the history and future of the Central Area. In turn, the health and vitality of the Central Area are dependent upon adjacent, stable residential neighborhoods.

Conserve and Enhance Existing Residential Neighborhoods.

The Tower District is an older, predominantly residential area which is characterized by neighborhoods of architecturally significant building and landscaping. Some multi-family dwellings have been successfully integrated into single-family blocks. Many opportunities exist for new construction as well as rehabilitation, all within established development patterns.

Respect and Further Enhance the Historic Character of the Tower District as a Place Not Dominated by the Automobile.

Historically, much of the Tower District developed as a streetcar suburb. Because of this development history, many parts of the district are scaled to the pedestrian. Excessive dependence on the automobile in recent years has increased appreciation of the merits of more pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods close to neighborhood commercial areas, as represented by the Tower District.

Conserve and Revitalize the Tower District's Historic and Architectural Resources.

There are many indications that the architectural quality of the District's historic and cultural resources are being maintained. There is a growing recognition that these resources merit substantial re-investment. And yet, there are other indications, particularly where blight has taken hold, where conflicting land uses exist, or where heavy traffic tends to dominate, to the extent that certain resources are deteriorating.

Maintain and Improve Public Infrastructure Consistent with Levels of Public Investment in Newer Parts of the City.

Streets, alleys, water and sewer lines, and other components of the District's public infrastructure are showing signs of a need beyond routine maintenance (street repaving, streetlight repair, alleyway resurfacing, repair of damaged guardrails along Dry Creek, water and sewer line repair). Street widening or realignments are not appropriate. Rather, the goal is to give the District equal place among other districts of the city and to recognize that the City has responsibility for planned re-investment in older areas.

Provide New Plaza, Park and Open Space Areas.

Existing public open space in the District is limited almost exclusively to school sites and streets. Additional open space is needed for the diverse public life of the District.

Website built and maintained in the Tower District by Root Access.