FresYes: How Fresno Fueled and Funded a Comeback

Recently termed-out Mayor Ashley Swearengin sits down for an exclusive interview about how she planned for high speed rail investments, championed sustainable water management, and took steps to rebuild the local economy.

2 minute read

March 30, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By rzelen @rzelen


Fresno State

David Prasad / Flickr

Over the past eight years, Fresno has been in the skilled hands of Ashley Swearengin. In an era of rapid private-sector innovation and relatively diminished public capacity, cities like Fresno have struggled to fund infrastructure and grow their economies due to changing conditions.

Fresno, however, managed to reduce costs and utilize the markets that were created by investments around California High Speed Rail. In an exclusive interview with The Planing Report, Swearengin speaks to how civic leadership reoriented the market and inspired reinvestment in the downtown core. Swearengin, who previously stated that "high-speed rail, by itself, will not be enough to move Fresno toward its vision," spoke to the need of maximizing housing and mixed-use development.  

Swearengin explains that "connecting Fresno to Silicon Valley in 45 minutes for $80 will absolutely be a game-changer for [Fresno], and for the whole Central Valley. As mayor, I wanted to make sure we did not let that incredible opportunity go to waste. That meant being very clear about how we could accommodate additional investment in a way that reinforced our revitalization goals, instead of setting up Fresno, and the whole Central Valley, for more sprawl."

Swearengin explains that Fresno "wanted to reorient the market that is opening up as a result of high-speed rail toward high-value development investment—not more cookie-cutter homes built on the periphery to access the transportation hub in Fresno. That’s why it was so important that we took on the land-use planning and regulatory changes, and the redirection of our infrastructure dollars." Otherwise, she worried that Fresno could end up with a scenario where it becomes so easy to access Silicon Valley that the Central Valley becomes nothing but a sprawling bedroom community forever.

The former mayor also talks about her new role as CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation, seeking to enhance foundation, investor, and private sector investments in the region to support long-term sustainability and growth. 


Tuesday, March 14, 2017 in The Planning Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

Aerial view of flooding during Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.

‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls

The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.

47 seconds ago - NC Newsline

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.