Reimagining City-Owned Land for
Economic Activation, Transparency &
Community Growth.
Focus: North Grove Industrial / Airport Business Park
Understanding layered leasing on public land
WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW:
- Community interested in opportunities
- Public land leased through long-term master leases
- Private entities control access and subleasing
- Limited transparency or measurable benchmarks
Lease Structure Overview
• City of Fresno
(Owner)
• ↓ Ground Lease
(~$0.19/SF/yr/land
• Master Lessee
• ↓ Sublease
• Private Tenants
• Procurement
Process?
What the Map
Reveals
These properties are classified as exempt surplus—likely due to airport-related restrictions—which allows the City to lease them without going through the standard surplus land process.” “However, exemption from process does not mean exemption from accountability.” Total: 174,000 SF
(~4 acres)
City-owned
Airport Exempt
Land
13 parcels under
long-term lease
KEY QUESTION:
System for
community use
or access of
these spaces?
Lease Highlights
Ground Lease tied to Private Management Company
Lease agreement 2007-2044 (Originally 1977 until recently modified in 2024 for early termination of parcel lease and new lease signed by private mgmt. agency)
174,000 sq ft. x .19 sq.
13-APN Lots Entire block of buildings & lots
Sublease Complexity
City → Master Lease → Sublease → Assignment
Multiple layers reduce transparency and access
The further you get from the City, the less transparency and access there is.
Opportunities:
Public Land, Community Activation
OPPORTUNITIES:
• Community-based master leases (nonprofits/co-ops)
• Incubator lease models for small businesses
• Temporary activation (farmers markets, pop-ups)
• Shared wealth / revenue models
(DRIVE Initiative, CIT, Land Trust)
• Transparent public access system
BOTTOM LINE:
Public land is leveraged, ideal if the community can
participate in the value it creates
Community Opportunity
Policy Reform Opportunities
This is fixable through lease amendments:
Accountability + reporting measures
Use-It-or-Lose-It Enforcement
Community Benefit Clauses
Access Pathways for Local Businesses
Activation timelines
Transparency & Oversight of Land Use
Measurable outcomes:
1. Jobs
2. Small business growth
3. Workforce development
4. Access to services