X
    Categories: 2020

Old Armenian Town project could be finished by early 2021

KMPH – Fox 26 News, Fresno

Old Armenian Town in downtown Fresno is ready to be renovated. 

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.

This was the childhood home of acclaimed novelist, playwright, and short-story writer William Saroyan. (Photo: FOX26)

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.


Emil Lazarian: “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS