FRESNO, California (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno City Council authorized “eminent domain action” to acquire three parcels of land to secure the Blackstone-McKinley grade separation project you can go ahead.
However, if the eminent domain action proceeds as planned, it would also force three Fresno businesses to relocate from their current locations at Blackstone Avenue and McKinley Avenue — a move that was met with resistance during Thursday’s City Council meeting of Fresno.
Fresno city officials move forward with McKinley Grade Separation Project
Once built, the project would separate the crossing from the train tracks. City officials say the change will make the intersection safer and reduce traffic congestion. If the current plan goes ahead, three companies will have to change:
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Star Valley Smog at 1506 N Blackstone Avenue
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Greenway Auto Body at 1497 N Blackstone Avenue
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Dutch Bros Cafe at 1831 E McKinley Avenue
Engineers explained that due to elevation differences, retaining walls would need to be built and the area needed to build this is the site currently used as Dutch Bros. The same issue was cited as the reason why Star Valley Smog and Greenway Auto Body would also have to close their current locations.
During the public comment section, some concerns were raised about job losses, with one member of the public asking what will happen to employees when the company they work for closes down and never returns.
“You know, in this community we have a huge employment problem – so you’re going to displace a lot of baristas. What happened to them?”
The city wants to acquire the project’s right-of-way by next year, with construction beginning in early 2026. The goal is to complete the project by 2029.
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