Lillian Duran, Principal Account Clerk
Lillian consistently upholds a high standard of professionalism and is always willing to support her colleagues by thoughtfully addressing their questions. She demonstrates a strong commitment to accuracy and attention to detail in her work, setting a positive example for others. Her approachable demeanor and positive attitude make her a pleasure to work with and a valued member of the City of Fresno.
Congratulations, Lillian!
Debra McGary, Construction Compliance Specialist.
Debra does an amazing job of handling her workload, which never ends. She not only works well and communicates with CPD employees but also assists Project Managers from outside departments with their Construction Contracts. She has also worked through the change in Risk Software that presented unforeseen issues, and accommodated all parties involved to keep things moving. She represents the City well when working with outside contractors and goes above and beyond to help them get their insurance and bonds executed in a timely manner. Debra is a great team member and is the first one to step up and organize birthdays and celebrations for her team members. She is every body’s cheer leader, and we are lucky to have her in our corner.
Congratulations, Debra!
Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.
Friday, January 16, 2026 – Garlanding Ceremony – 11:45 AM -12:45 PM
Courthouse Park,1100 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93721
Welcome presented by District 3 Councilmember Miguel Arias and County Supervisor Luis Chavez
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. The ceremony will also feature the King Elementary School Dancers and over 150 students from Fresno Unified and other local school districts.
Contact: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor (559) 435-2212 or Gail Gaston (559) 681-3140
Saturday, January 17, 2026 – Clovis Police Department Community Breakfast – 9:00 – 10:30 AM
Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 4th Street, Clovis, CA 93612
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President, California State University, Fresno
Tickets $5 each (pre-payment required). Contact: Erin Ford-Horio (559) 324-2476 or [email protected]
Sunday, January 18, 2026 – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Vigil – 2:00 PM
Impact Church, 1461 N. Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA 93703
Contact: Pastor Edward Thomas (559) 473-5493
Monday, January 19, 2026 – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community March 9:30 – 10:45 AM
St. John’s Cathedral, 2814 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA 93721
Marchers will assemble at 9:30 AM. March begins at 10:00 AM, stops at Fresno City Hall, then proceeds to
Veterans Memorial Auditorium (2425 Fresno Street) where the program will conclude.
Parade Marshall: Mona Tatum and the King Elementary School Dancers
Contact: James Lett III (559) 284- 6420 or Gail Gaston (559) 681-3140
Monday, January 19, 2026 – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Program and Community Awards 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 2425 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721
Join us to celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contributions to community diversity and our enriched culture. The program will include the presentation of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Awardees (Education Award – Dr. Lisa Mitchell; Civil Service Award – Dr. Peter Robertson; Kimber Community Service Award – Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), music, and a fireside chat with Central USD Superintendent, Dr. Mark Marshall. This year’s host is ABC 30’s Jessica Harrington.
Contact: Terri Kimber Edwards (559) 908-0639 or Eric Payne at [email protected].
Friday, January 9, 2026 – 9:00 AM – NOON – Jazz Tribute to the Legacy of Dr. King – 90.7 FM (or stream at kfsr.org)
Dr. Robert Mikell pays tribute to the legacy of Dr. King through commentary and music composed and recorded by Jazz artists who supported the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech will be played in its entirety.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM – Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce 2026 Business Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 2233 Cesar Chavez Blvd, Fresno, CA 93721 Tickets: $40 Register at: https://BIT.LY/2026MLK
Thursday, January 15, 2026 – 7:00 AM – West Fresno Ministerial Alliance Prayer Breakfast
Cornerstone Conference Center 1525 Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93721. Contact Bishop Paul Binion ([email protected])
Keynote Speaker: Bishop Kenneth Ulmer
Thursday, January 15, 2026 – 5:00 PM – Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Rev. Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Art, Essay and Speech Reception
Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 4th Street, Clovis, CA 93612. Contact: Dr.Jeff Hunt [email protected]
Sunday, January 18, 2026 – 1:00 PM – Countdown to King Rally.
Impact Church: 1461 N. Chestnut Avenue, Fresno, CA 93703. Contact [email protected]
Spirit-filled worship service includes music and an encouraging message of peace, unity, equality and love.
Special Thanks to Our Donors & Community Sponsors
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer
City of Fresno
County of Fresno
Fresno City Councilmembers
Fresno County Board of Supervisors
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Educational Employees Credit Union
Fresno Unified School District
Clovis Unified School District
Central Unified School District
California Highway Patrol
Fresno Police Department
Clovis Police Department
Fresno County Sheriff’s Department
ABC 30 Action News-KFSN TV
Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission
The Les Kimber Family
Fresno County Tax Assessor, Paul Dictos
Dr. Peter Robertson
M.L.K. Unity Committee Officers
Founding Member: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor
Chair: James Lett III
Vice Chair: CHP Public Information Officer Mike Salas
Secretary: Dr. Jeff Hunt
Treasurer: Gail Gaston
M.L.K. Unity Committee Members
Terri Kimber Edwards
Erin Ford-Horio
Eric Payne
Summer Gaston-Gehris
John Sturdivant
Pastor Edward Thomas
M.L.K. Unity Committee Information
Gabriela Olea District 3 Chief of Staff
(559) 621-7834 [email protected]
Address: 511 N San Pablo Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Future Investment: $6 million
San Pablo Park is located at San Pablo and Belmont Avenues, underneath the SR-180, has been recently transformed into a vibrant, walkable outdoor art museum showcasing the neighborhood’s creativity and culture.
Clean California Beautification Project:
In partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the State of California’s Clean California Local Grant Program is a $1.1 billion statewide initiative designed to support the revitalization of public spaces. Through this program, the San Pablo Mural Project transformed 20 concrete pillars into large-scale murals.
Future Improvements:
August 31, 2023 – Ted C. Wills & San Pablo Park Redesign Community Meeting
In 2022, the City of Fresno approved a consultant agreement to begin the design process for the rehabilitation and redesign of San Pablo Park. The PARCS department hosted a community meeting to gather input from residents on desired amenities and design concepts.
The proposed project includes replacing the playground’s existing wood-fiber surfacing with modern soft-fall surfacing, installing skateboard-friendly furniture, and adding pathway landscaping and park lighting to improve safety and accessibility. In addition to the upgrades, the design features multi-use sports courts, a fitness equipment area, additional seating and picnic spaces, a community stage, and a game area.
Related News:
“Fresno’s noisiest park transformed into city’s largest outdoor art gallery” – Fresno Bee, July 2025
Address: 770 N San Pablo Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728
Future Investment: $2 million
Located in the Tower District neighborhood, the Ted C. Wills Community Center serves as a vital hub for citywide programs and community resources. The center hosts year-round programming for families, seniors, and youth, providing space for senior activities, community meetings, workshops, and youth recreational programs. Current amenities include a computer lab, gymnasium with basketball court, kitchen, library, meeting/conference room, social hall, parking lot, picnic tables, restrooms, and a children’s play area.
Community Programs and Resources:
Senior Hot Meals Program
Through partnership with the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging, the City of Fresno receives annual funding to operate the Senior Hot Meals Program at six sites citywide. Meals are provided free of charge to seniors aged 60 and older. In District 3, participating locations include Mary Ella Brown and Ted C. Wills community centers.
Cooling & Warming Center
Ted C. Wills serves as an official cooling and warming center, providing a safe and comfortable space for residents during Fresno’s days/periods of extreme weather.
Digital Literacy Program
New program! The PARCS Department will implement a new Digital Literacy Education Program funded through a grant for the duration of 24 months. The program will provide digital access and training for seniors and individuals with disabilities at seven community centers citywide, including Mary Ella Brown and Ted C. Wills community centers.
Future Improvements:
Photo: August 31, 2023 – Ted C. Wills & San Pablo Park Redesign Community Meeting
In 2022, the City of Fresno approved a consultant agreement to begin the redesign of Ted C. Wills green space. The PARCS department hosted a community meeting to gather resident input on desired amenities and design concepts.
The proposed project will remove the portable classrooms from the adjacent Big Picture Elementary School and repurpose the area into soccer fields. The project design phase is funded by Measure P. This project requires $1,750,000 in additional funding to move this project to construction. Councilmember Arias looks forward to securing the necessary funding to begin construction on this important community project. In addition to the soccer fields, the redesigned area will include an open play area/lawn, a fenced dog park, tables and seating areas, a walking path, drinking fountains, and enhanced landscaping.
Address: 940 N Broadway Street, Fresno, CA 9372888
Grand Opening: July 31, 2025.
Investment: $3 million – funded through the City’s General Fund and Measure P.
The old fire station, originally built in 1965 and later repurposed as a storage facility for the Fresno Police Department, was demolished in 2017 due to its deteriorating condition. Following the demolition, South Tower neighbors recognized an opportunity to transform the vacant lot into much much-needed neighborhood park that would bring additional green space to the community.
The City-owned parcel presented a unique opportunity for the development of additional green space. What began as a vision from residents became a collaborative community effort, made possible through support from Measure P.
In 2022, the City partnered with an architectural firm to begin the design process for the new park. The City’s PARCS Department held community outreach meetings where residents shared ideas and provided input to help shape the park’s final design.
This initiative was driven by an engaged group of South Tower residents who formed the Broadway Parque Committee. To recognize and honor the dedication and community spirit of the neighbors, Councilmember Miguel Arias renamed South Tower Park to Broadway Parque. Thanks to the neighbors’ persistent advocacy and strong collaboration with the City, this park became a reality. Broadway Parque is a neighborhood park, built for the neighbors, by the neighbors.
Broadway Parque offers a variety of features designed to create a safe, accessible, and engaging community space for all ages.
Park Features and Amenities:
Timeline:
2017: Demolition of the old Fire Station.
2022: Agreement signed for architectural and design services.
2024: Construction contract awarded.
2025: Project completed.
Related News:
“How Fresno’s South Tower neighborhood replaced a police station with a community park” – Fresnoland, August 2025
Anita Luera, Project Manager
Anita Luera joined the Capital Projects Department in 2023 as part of the creation of the department. She quickly promoted into a Project Manager role and was able to adapt quickly to CPD processes and procedures. Her patience, willingness to learn and strong sense of project ownership has made her an outstanding staff member for the Utilities and On-Site Project Management Division. Anita possesses strong leadership qualities and mentors many staff within the department, teaching them the intricacies of her varied projects. She is committed to ensuring quality and consistency in both her work and those she is mentoring. Anita often stays late to ensure her projects remain on schedule and all tasks are completed at the highest level of quality possible. Her impeccable attention to detail has proved to be indispensable when reviewing plans, specifications, and other pertinent documents. Anita’s hard work, commitment to excellence, and ability to deliver under pressure make her well deserving of the Capital Projects Department’s Fall 2025 Employee of the Quarter.
Congratulations, Anita!
Jason Bairos, Engineering Inspector II
The Capital Projects Department is proud to recognize Jason Bairos, as a 2025 Fall Employee of the Quarter. Jason exemplifies positivity, confidence, and professionalism in every aspect of his work. He demonstrates a strong ability to operate independently while also thriving as a collaborative team member.
Jason’s attention to detail, deep technical knowledge, and effective communication skills have earned the respect of Supervisors, Management, and even members of the public. His leadership on the recently completed Capital Improvement Projects that showcased his ability to address concerns from both contractors and the community with poise and responsiveness.
On a current high profile paving project Jason has proactively engaged with local business representatives, ensuring they remain informed about construction timelines and impacts. His foresight and coordination have helped foster transparency and trust throughout the process.
Jason consistently upholds an exceptional work ethic and demonstrates unwavering dedication to the success of every project he undertakes. He is not only an outstanding employee but also a highly valued member of the Construction Management team.
Congratulations, Jason!
FAX has released its draft 2025 Title VI Program, which explains our commitment to non-discrimination. Visit the following page to provide your feedback: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – City of Fresno Public comments are due October 8, 2025. Questions? Call 559-621-RIDE or e-mail [email protected].
On Monday, August 11, 2025, Fresno Area Express will add service on Church Avenue. Route 29 will provide service along Church Avenue from Walnut Avenue to Fowler Avenue. Multiple education facilities are located along the route, including the Fresno City College West Fresno Center, Edison High School, Computech Middle School, Gaston Middle School, Terronez Middle School, and Sanger West High School. The new route will serve approximately 44,000 residents and nearly 8,000 jobs located within a half-mile of Church Avenue, while also connecting to routes 32, 34, 38, and 41.
Effective August 11, 2025, the Route 38 alignment near the Hinton Center will no longer use Fairview Avenue and Belgravia Avenue. The route will instead continue on Walnut Avenue towards Cesar Chavez Boulevard.
El lunes, 11 de agosto de 2025, Fresno Area Express añadirá servicio en la avenida Church. La Ruta 29 proporcionará servicio a lo largo de la avenida Church, desde la avenida Walnut hasta la avenida Fowler. Múltiples centros educativos se encuentran a lo largo de la ruta, incluyendo el Centro de Fresno City College del oeste de Fresno, la preparatoria Edison, la secundaria Computech, la secundaria Gaston, la secundaria Terronez y la preparatoria Sanger West. La nueva ruta dará servicio a aproximadamente 44,000 residentes y a casi 8,000 empleos ubicados a menos de media milla de la avenida Church, a la vez que conectará con las rutas 32, 34, 38 y 41.
A partir del 11 de agosto de 2025, la alineación de la Ruta 38 cerca del Centro Hinton ya no utilizará las avenidas Fairview y Belgravia. En su lugar, la ruta continuará por la avenida Walnut hacia el bulevar Cesar Chavez.
