FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A legal battle between the City of Fresno and the owners of a convenience store is raging on as officials move forward with plans to expand and renovate a longtime neighborhood park.
The dispute centers around Quick Mart, located near First Street and Clinton Avenue, which city leaders say sits on property needed to complete improvements to Radio Park.
Plans to transform Radio Park
The City of Fresno is currently working to renovate Radio Park, a neighborhood park known for the large radio tower standing in its center.
City leaders say the project is meant to bring new recreational opportunities to an area that has historically lacked access to green space.
“For generations, families who have lived in this neighborhood have gone without what so many in our community take for granted in a park, a safe, welcoming, vibrant green space,” said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer in a previous statement about the project.
The renovation plan includes several new amenities, including:
A splash padA sports fieldPickleball courtsAdditional recreational features
City officials say the Quick Mart property is needed to complete the park expansion.
Disagreement over the price
The major sticking point between the city and the store’s owners is how much the property is worth.
In March 2024, the City of Fresno offered the store’s owner more than $800,000 for the property.
However, the owner’s attorney said that amount falls far short of its actual value.
“Our appraisers are telling us those numbers could be in the four to five million dollar range,” said attorney Richard Conway in a previous interview.
Conway has also argued that losing the property would be a major hardship for the family that owns the business.
“It obviously would be a significant burden to a very industrious, hardworking family,” Conway said.
City files legal complaint
In July 2024, city officials formally determined the property was required to complete the park project.
Last month, the city filed an official complaint against the property owner outlining its need to acquire the land.
The move is part of the legal process tied to eminent domain, which allows governments to acquire private property for public use.
What happens next?
Under eminent domain law, the city must prove two things:
That acquiring the property is necessary for a public project.That the property owner receives fair compensation.
While property owners can challenge eminent domain in court, governments sometimes succeed in acquiring land if they meet those requirements.
Despite the ongoing legal dispute, city leaders say the $10.6 million park project is still moving forward.
Mayor Dyer previously said the renovated park could be finished by early 2027.
“Make no mistake, this will be transformative,” Dyer said.
As the legal battle continues, it remains unclear whether the city and the property owners will reach an agreement or if the dispute will ultimately be settled in court.