Major changes are coming to Fulton Mall

A kickoff party was held for what could be the beginning of a major transformation on the Fulton Mall.

Attendees at the Mariposa Plaza Activation Launch Party discussed turning the plaza into a cultural gathering place. The project will be funded by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. It would redesign the plaza to allow cultural gatherings and performance events.

Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin sees the area becoming a focal point of civic pride.

"A new Mariposa Plaza that perfectly expresses the personality the artistic expression the creativity of Fresno, because that’s where we want to put it on display," Swearengin said.

The project is still in the planning phase, and comes at a time when the city is planing to reopen the Fulton Mall to traffic.