REPORT TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
December 22, 2025
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: DAVID DENSLEY, Projects Administrator
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Review and comment on the Section 106 Report for 887 Fulton Street (Former Berkeley’s Building), APN 468-282-21T
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fresno received a Fiscal Year 2025 EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund grant supplemental award to support hazardous materials abatement at 887 Fulton Street, historically known as the Berkeley’s Building. Because the project involves federal funding, it qualifies as an undertaking under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. prepared a Section 106 Inventory and Evaluation Report on November 21, 2025, documenting the property, its historic context, and potential effects. Based on the evaluation, the building is not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or California Register of Historical Resources (CRHR). The report concludes that the project will result in no historic properties affected. Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission review and comment on the findings. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the lead federal agency, will forward the determination to the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) once the tribal consultation period has been completed.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno received a Fiscal Year 2025 Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund grant from EPA. The grant provides funding for environmental cleanup activities at contaminated properties in Fresno, including the building located at 887 Fulton Street (APN 468-282-21T), historically known as the Berkeley’s Building after the department store that opened there in 1961. The property is a mid-20th century commercial structure situated along Fulton Street adjacent to Chukchansi Park. The property was purchased by the City of Fresno in 2007 and sold to the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation under a Disposition and Development Agreement in May 2024.
The proposed project activities include mold abatement, removal of asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint, roof repair and replacement, removal and replacement of interior ceilings, and restoration of the building envelope post-abatement. No ground-disturbing activities are proposed as part of this project. Additional details on the building and the project are available in the Section 106 report (Exhibit A) and the DPR Form (Exhibit B).
Because the project is supported by federal Brownfields funding, it qualifies as a federal undertaking under Section 106 of the NHPA. Section 106 requires that federally funded projects consider potential effects on historic properties. Stantec Consulting Services Inc. prepared a Section 106 Inventory and Evaluation Report to identify resources within the Area of Potential Effects (APE), evaluate eligibility for the NRHP and CRHR, and assess potential project impacts.
The US Environmental Protection Agency, serving as the lead federal agency, has initiated tribal consultation for this project and will transmit the Section 106 findings, together with any tribal comments received, to the SHPO upon completion of consultation early next year.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
N/A
FRESNO MUNICIPAL CODE FINDINGS
N/A
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission review and comment on the report, which documents a finding of no historic properties affected.
Attachments:
Exhibit A - 887 Fulton Street (Former Berkeley’s Building) Section 106 Report
Appendices to Exhibit A:
• Appendix A - Project Map
• Appendix B - Previous Documentation
• Appendix C - Records Search Results
• Appendix D - Resources Within 0.25 Miles of the Area of Potential Effects
• Appendix E - Department of Parks and Recreation 523 Series Form (2025)
Exhibit B - DPR 523A Form (2011/2013)
Exhibit C - Public Hearing Notice and Vicinity Map