Fresno Foundation Launched $12 Million Building Project

The Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation is repurposing a historic department store to serve as a food hub and business incubator.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Commercial

Fresno Foundation Launched $12 Million Building Project

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The Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation has initiated a $12 million rehabilitation project for the former Berkeley’s Department Store on Fulton Street. The initiative aims to transform the vacant property into a food hub and incubator to support local small businesses.

Why it matters

The revitalization effort seeks to stimulate downtown economic activity by providing dedicated space for entrepreneurs. This project follows the city's 2024 sale of the property to the foundation for $1, marking a shift in how the local government handles long-vacant commercial assets.

The project represents a $12 million total investment, significantly higher than the $3.1 million cost of the foundation's 2007 incubator project. While the city purchased the building for $4.5 million in 2007, it was sold to the foundation in 2024 for $1.

The players

Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation

A non-profit organization focused on economic development through business incubators and community resource programs.

The details

The renovation plan focuses on extensive environmental remediation, including the abatement of mold, asbestos, and lead paint. Contractors will also remove and repair the interior ceilings and roof to prepare the space for commercial use. This site, located on Fulton Street, is part of a broader push to revitalize the area near Chukchansi Park and Confia Square.

1960s: Fresno commerce shifted northward away from the downtown area.
2007: The city purchased the department store building for $4.5 million.
2024: The city sold the building to the foundation for $1.
October 2026: Remediation work on the structure is expected to begin.
December 2027: The foundation projects the new facility will open.

Money Landscape

This project marks a formal attempt to reverse the commercial decentralization trend that began in the 1960s. By repurposing legacy infrastructure, the initiative reflects a broader strategy to anchor downtown growth around specialized food and business hubs.

Local entrepreneurs and small business owners should monitor the project for potential leasing opportunities in the food and service sectors once construction begins in 2027. Consult with a professional business advisor to determine if an incubator model aligns with your growth strategy.

The takeaway

The transformation of the former department store underscores the potential for public-private partnerships to revitalize aging downtown footprints. Business owners interested in future space should track the development timeline as the project moves toward its anticipated December 2027 opening.