TYCO General – BLOG

Lots of excitement around TYCO as we review and consult on potential projects for Downtown Fresno.

Both new construction and re-purposed buildings are being talked about by various developers both local and out of the area as everyone investigates using Federal and/or State funds in Public/Private partnerships to make projects possible.

We will attach as many proposed project renderings as we’re able and update often, so please (follow) check back.

Mixed use housing on Fulton - off street parking

Residential LEED Project on Lowell

2010 BOOK OF LISTS AD

Jane gets in on another full page publication for next years BOOK OF LISTS, published by the Business Journal.

Draft copy above shows the Rowell Building in Downtown Fresno as the backdrop for the hardworking CEO.

TYCO continues its drive towards more “City Core” projects and keeps its focus on local hiring and buying practices.

By Richard Deaver

Let’s face it; there is a lot of uncertainty in our economy right now. Unprecedented layoffs, business closures, foreclosures and both personal and business bankruptcies have made everyone fearful of what the future holds.

But this is not news to anyone.

Commercial real estate has not been left unscathed by all the economic carnage – especially retail. On a national level, retailers closed an estimated 6,000 stores in 2008 alone with more than double that amount anticipated by the end of 2009. Locally, we’ve seen a number of storefronts go dark, both large and small. Gottschalk’s closure had the potential to severely exacerbate the situation, but since they had premium locations, there was plenty of demand to minimize the impact of adding to the vacant inventory.

The blow from jobs lost by the closure of Gottschalks was also lessened when Macy’s hired a number of former employees for the River Park store and Forever 21 should be adding soon to that number at the Fashion Fair location, but those who have not found jobs potentially can increase the number of new foreclosures and personal bankruptcies still to come. This will only add to the drop in retail sales forcing more local businesses to close, thereby causing vacancy rates to climb continuing a vicious cycle.

read more »

TYCO introduces a new market focus with the unveiling of its Urban Dynamics division.

Headed up by Richard Deaver, Urban Dynamics turns its attention to infill projects and retrofits of existing older buildings in our urban core.  Revitalizing our City Center has been a passion of Richards since the late 70′s.

TYCO is currently developing many of these projects in blighted areas, badly in need of a bigger vision for its future.

I will blog in more detail as projects are funded and/or photos are available for release.  See draft post card above for areas of focus.

Jane Tienken (President) of TYCO General in front Rowell Building

Jane Tienken (President), of TYCO General will be featured on cover of The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce Guide for 2010.

TYCO completed the renovation of the historic Rowell Building, shown in the background.

The project included both an interior renovation and an exterior face-lift.

Before the project ended, TYCO had even retrofitted the basement into a much needed parking garage with ground level entry ramp off the East alley.

TYCO continues to pursue more urban oriented projects like the Rowell Building.

Focusing its efforts for 2010 and beyond on redevelopment, restoration and infill projects – TYCO stays committed to its motto:  BUILDING A BETTER CALIFORNIA

Check out great article under the (continue reading) link. read more »

By Richard Deaver

Rowell Building - Fresno

Cities both large and small are reevaluating how they manage growth to not only preserve natural resources, but also keep their downtowns alive. Many have already been successful in bringing about change in the way they plan for inevitable growth and bringing residents and retail stores back to their downtowns and others are still in the planning or implementation stages.

Fresno has been looking at this problem for a number of years and has tried more than once to alter the way we continue to grow away from the urban core. As Fresno’s population increases, so does the need for affordable housing as developers continue to expand the city’s boundaries to keep up with demand – some say at the cost of valuable agricultural land. A recent Wall Street Journal article (August 15, 2009) provides information on a troubling trend that underscores this problem, which states; “Of new housing today, 80% is built in suburbs – the direct legacy of federal policy that favored outlying areas rather than the rehabilitation of city centers”.

read more »

By Richard Deaver

If you’ve heard about The Fultonia project either through the local news media or by following this blog, you’re probably familiar with the term, “SoTow”, and may have wondered what it means and why it is so significant to the Tower District and to Central Fresno. Basically, the term SoTow, (South of Tower) was created to help establish a new identity for the Tower District neighborhood south of Olive Avenue.

The FULTONIA - Live/Work Village @ SOTOW rendering

The term was first conceived when I was contacted by property owner Terance Frazier with TFS Investments, LLC to look at The Fultonia; a 39-unit apartment complex with 10 commercial spaces in front that he had just purchased. As I walked through the complex I saw a unique opportunity to bring a once-proud property with great architectural bones and a neighborhood that was suffering from years of neglect back to life.

read more »

At TYCO General, we are committed to keeping our tax dollars here locally by purchasing all our supplies, tools and materials from local vendors.

Additionally TYCO General is committed to hire locally too, but we will blog about that later………………………..

Please join us and spend your dollars locally – visit the BUY LOCAL site to find out more info.

www.whyibuylocal.com

About the Buy Local Campaign

Buy Local is an 18-month campaign within the Central Valley region. Its goal is to raise awareness and

to educate consumers of the importance of buying from shops within their own neighborhood,

whether it is national chain or a locally-owned shop.

Your Sales Tax at Work

When you shop in your locality, 1% of the total State sales tax is allocated for local funding. This pool of money are allocated to each county every quarter which helps pay for your local health clinics, neighborhood patrols, zoo and parks, emergency services, and our children’s education. When shoppers spend money out of town, or online, those tax dollars support services in other communities.

read more »