THE FULTONIA Live/Work Village Project Overview Project design and information

 

  Housing is an essential component to the success of The Fultonia Live/Work Village development. This project has been designed to help alleviate the shortage of moderately priced housing in Central Fresno by adding 39 rental apartments and 10-commercial spaces.

Many hard-working families and individuals in Fresno cannot afford to rent a high quality home or must pay a substantial proportion of their income each month for housing. There is also a need for quality live/work units for professionals and entrepreneurs seeking to lessen their impact on the environment by combining quality commercial space coupled with living space to minimize travel to and from their work. The Fultonia Live/Work Village addresses those problems by offering its residents options to rent a quality apartment in a safe and secure village environment, or they can also combine their housing needs with a place to operate their business within the same complex.

The Fultonia Live/Work Village project is being developed by TFS Investments, LLC which has extensive experience in the development and management of high quality housing in the Central Valley. Expert management and ongoing maintenance are high priorities. An additional benefit of the housing is that it ensures the presence of residents outside of normal business hours. These residents will patronize the shops and restaurants in the area and enhance the safety of the neighborhood with their full-time presence.

The Fultonia At-A-Glance

 

What is The Fultonia?

• Originally a 39-unit low-income apartment complex with 10-retail/office spaces lining Fulton Street that had been allowed to fall into disrepair, The Fultonia will be converted into an active and affordable live/work village.
• Located between the Tower District and Downtown Fresno with easy access to three major highways, this live/work village and plaza will also serve as a major community-gathering place for residents and locals within the SOTOW (South of Tower) District.
• Thirty-nine units of mixed-income housing in a secure environment.
• Ten separate commercial storefronts offering neighborhood retail (shops and restaurants) and/or office space for young professionals.
• Covered parking area that is secured with gates.
• Entire complex is fenced and secure offering its residents a safe environment.
• A new “Cool Roof” will be installed to lower energy consumption.
• Solar panels will be installed to generate both electrical power and heated water.
• The complex offers access to public transportation just outside the front gates thereby reducing the impact on the environment.

Project Goals

 

• To strengthen existing community institutions and catalyze neighborhood revitalization – physically, economically and socially.
• To reduce poverty, build assets, and contribute to the local economy – by providing a stable source of jobs and income.
• To encourage and leverage public and private investment.
• To enhance choices for neighborhood residents, including services and retail choices.
• To provide high quality, affordable housing.
• To improve the perception and reality of safety.
• To beautify a blighted area.
• To increase FAX ridership and reduce traffic and pollution.
• To be sustainable and environmentally sound.

 

Project Description

Overview

Driving south on Fulton Street from the Tower District, you will not help but notice a bright, colorful complex of buildings – with palm trees, banners and apartment balconies all visible from the street once The Fultonia Live/Work Village is completed. The street front lined with retail shops, offices and even small restaurants, and equipped with seating areas, you are drawn into the live/work village with a large central courtyard plaza. Access to public transportation is conveniently located right outside the village and three major highways are accessible within a very short distance. The Tower District, which is the heart of Central Fresno, is only a few short blocks to the north and Downtown Fresno can be reached in just minutes either by FAX, automobile, or even a bicycle.

 

 

Commercial Space

 

Ten storefronts line the ground floor along Fulton Street, providing a variety of opportunities for stores and restaurants as well as office space. Among the types of businesses suited for this live/work village are:

· convenience market

· espresso coffee and bakery

· cell phone store

· tax service

· bistro restaurant

· professional offices

· artist and designer space

· laundromat

The attractive features of the project, including the residential/commercial component, close proximity to public transportation, and access to major freeways makes it clear that the potential for improvements is not limited to The Fultonia Live/Work Village, but can continue throughout the area, with upgraded storefronts, street furniture, signage, and street trees.

SOTOW

 

A key component of the project is the designation of this area as the SOTOW District, or South of Tower. Historically, local residents have considered the Tower District to be the neighborhoods north of Olive Avenue and the area commands higher real estate prices and a higher percentage of home ownership. The area to the south of Olive has not enjoyed the same allure by residents seeking new housing. By designating this area as SOTOW, starting with The Fultonia project, the area can experience resurgence in home ownership and improvements to the overall area by drawing people who want to live and/or work in the neighborhood. With the success of this project, real estate investors and property owners will look to make similar improvements to their properties.

Design and Planning

 

The basic architecture of the existing structures will remain, but will be enhanced by the addition of key design elements and use of color. The existing rectangular “towers” will receive additional height and key design elements to add drama to the complex. The colors will be bold, but will be done not to overwhelm the structure, but rather to emphasis the architecture.

The design of the central courtyard plaza will incorporate large palm trees and other plantings to soften the hardscape and will include seating to enliven the plaza and to create an attractive and inviting space. The street front will also include new landscaping and seating for small cafes and coffee shops to encourage pedestrian traffic. A great deal of attention will be paid to the graphics and signage program contributing to the colorful, almost festive character of the entire complex.

The signage on each commercial space will conform to predetermined design standards and restrictions on other types of signage will be in place to preserve the integrity of the overall design scheme as well as the upscale feel of the village.

 

Assessing Project Success

Success in Meeting Project Goals

• To strengthen existing community institutions and catalyze neighborhood revitalization – physically, economically and socially.

• To reduce poverty, build assets, and contribute to the local economy – by providing a stable source of jobs and income.

• To encourage and leverage public and private investment.

• To enhance choices for neighborhood residents, including services and retail choices.

• To provide high quality, affordable housing.

• To improve the perception and reality of safety.

 

• To beautify a blighted area.

• To increase FAX ridership and reduce traffic and pollution.

 

• To be sustainable and environmentally sound.

ABOUT THE PROJECT DEVELOPER

 

TFS Investments, providing innovative opportunities for today’s demanding business world.

TFS Investments, located in Fresno, California is an innovative Investment firm, specializing in foreclosed properties. Our ability to find and purchase distressed properties at the right time for the right price has made us one of Central California’s leading real estate investment firms.

TFS Investments is also an experienced commercial and residential real estate developer. Our core competency of land, property acquisition and development is highlighted by our commitment to quality, value, and client satisfaction. We have extensive experience in single family homes, planned housing communities, and commercial developments.

Our Vision at TFS Investments is to expand our business capacity and networking relationships in local, state, national and international global markets. Over the years we have established world renowned investment partners and alliances that have helped put us in a position to expand at a consistent, yet rapid pace.

Terance Frazier owns TFS Investments, LLC as well as Frazier Realty and has been a leading figure in local real estate investments for a number of years. His companies specialize in all areas of residential and commercial real estate and have expanded from the Central Valley in California to Texas and Georgia. Terance has worked in the real estate industry for over twenty years and currently invests in over 100 homes per year. TFS Investments, LLC is currently developing a twenty acre commercial project in Texas that will include retail stores, offices and condominiums. TFS Investments, LLC also has full or partial interest in developments in Fresno’s Mid State Bowl project, the Clovis/Herndon project, the China Town Redevelopment, a Chestnut Low Income Housing project and Fresno’s new Granite Park development.

 

ABOUT THE CONTRACTOR

 

Tyco General, Inc.

The Fultonia redevelopment concept was designed by Tyco General, Inc. who will also manage the overall project. Tyco General, Inc. manages many types of commercial construction projects, but focuses its marketing efforts in the following key categories:

· Medical Facilities

· Professional Offices

· Retail Centers and Tenant Improvements

· Restaurants and Hospitality

· Educational Buildings

· Multi-Family and Mixed-Use

· Industrial Parks / Structures

Tyco General, Inc. is a full service Design/Build general contracting firm and has been serving the greater part of California since 1998.

Visit them at www.tycousa.com