The site of the proposed senior center, which officially began construction a month ago.
Grace Gillio
The Fresno Bee
The city-owned senior center planned at the site of the former Vons grocery store on North Blackstone Avenue won’t open until summer 2028, delaying the timeline once again as contractors start preparing the site.
Reasons for the delay include the need to finalize plans, contracts and securing subcontractors for the project, according to the office of the mayor and city manager.
The 5.5 acre site, which was bought by the city of Fresno in 2022 for $6,46 million, was initially estimated by city leaders to be completed in summer of 2025, as previously reported by The Fresno Bee.
A ceremonial groundbreaking occurred in 2025 with the completion date pushed back to summer of 2027.
Construction officially started last month.
The senior center is now expected to be completed summer of 2028 “pending no unforeseen issues,” according mayor’s office.
The mayor’s office said that $41 million total project cost for the center remains unchanged.
In 2023, Dyer estimated the construction cost to be about $25 million, as previously reported by The Fresno Bee.
The $25 million did not include costs for land acquisition, demo of the former Vons and soft costs like permitting, design and inspection.
The mayor’s office also cited inflation and escalating costs as a reason for the cost increase.
Still planned for the center are multi-use spaces designed for socializing and enrichment and amenities like free hot meals, a fitness center, pickleball and boccie ball courts and educational classes.
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Grace Gillio is an intern for The Fresno Bee. She graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in journalism and English.