An arson fire changed the plans but now there's room to move William Saroyan's childhood home to the site.
Old Armenian Town has been a vision for years but nothing ever changed.
An arson fire last week eliminated two homes from the project but the developer is still moving forward with the renovation.
The three buildings now boarded up will each get a facelift.
Fresno City Council President Miguel Arias says the cement foundation will be cleared off for another historic gem. "Also looking at this empty area to relocate another historic Armenian home onto this pad so we complete the Armenian Town and maintain that history."
That home is less than a mile away.
It was the childhood home of acclaimed novelist, playwright, and short-story writer William Saroyan.
The Penstar Group has big plans to change the look of the area but the project at M street and Santa Clara takes priority. "The master plan calls for the preservation of Armenian Town to be complete and fully renovated and then build some high rises next to the State Court building to complete the full development of the area in Fresno," said Arias.
The boarded-up buildings will eventually become commercial properties to be leased.
Arias would like to move the city parks department into the building on a temporary basis.
He says restoration in Fresno is his passion. "It's been my top goal to preserve as many historical buildings as possible."
Arias says the restored buildings in Old Armenian Town could be finished in seven months.
