Fresno approves easement acquisition for Blackstone mobility project

Fresno will acquire permanent street and pedestrian easements and a temporary construction easement from Salvador and Karina Cisneros at 3811 North Orchard Street for the Blackstone Shields-Dakota improvements. After unsuccessful negotiations, the City Council approved eminent-domain proceedings on Nov. 5, 2026, by a 6-0 vote, with Tyler Maxwell absent. The project will reduce Blackstone Avenue from six vehicle lanes to four, add bus and bike lanes, widen sidewalks, install a HAWK crossing beacon and improve Dakota Avenue sidewalks. Staff say no General Fund dollars will be needed for construction.

Actions pertaining to the acquisition of property rights on a parcel located at 3811 North Orchard Street, to benefit the Blackstone Shields-Dakota AHSC Improvements Project (Council District 4): 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption for Environmental Assessment Number PW01119, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 2. HEARING to consider a Resolution of Necessity for acquisition of a permanent street easement, a permanent pedestrian easement, and a temporary construction easement for public street, pedestrian walkway, and utility purposes on portions of Assessor’s Parcel Number 436-292-07, owned by Salvador and Karina Cisneros, for the construction of the Blackstone Shields-Dakota Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Improvements Project 3. ***RESOLUTION - Determining that public interest and necessity require acquisition of a permanent street easement, a permanent pedestrian easement, and a temporary construction easement for public street, pedestrian walkway, and utility purposes over, under, through, and across portions of Assessor’s Parcel Number 436-292-07, owned by Salvador and Karina Cisneros, for the construction of the Blackstone Shields-Dakota AHSC Improvements Project, and authorizing eminent domain proceedings for public use and purpose (Requires Five Affirmative Votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)

Nov 5, 2026ID 26-1371: Actions pertaining to the acquisition of property rights on a parcel located at 3811 North Orchard Street, to benefit the Blackstone Shields-Dakota AHSC Improvements Project (Council District 4): 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption for Environmental Assessment Number PW01119, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 2. HEARING to consider a Resolution of Necessity for acquisition of a permanent street easement,Source documentPDF 1PDF 2PDF 3PDF 4PDF 5PDF 6