Commission recommends local historic designation for Rosenberg Brothers packing warehouse at 1844 S. Cherry

The Fresno Historic Preservation Commission voted to recommend that the Rosenberg Brothers packing warehouse and an associated boiler room and machine shop at 1844 South Cherry Avenue be added to the City of Fresno’s local register of historic resources.

The commission’s motion, approved by voice vote, asked the City Council to designate the two buildings under local criteria 1 (historical association) and 3 (architectural significance). Ashley Atkinson, assistant director for planning and development, told the commission staff’s recommendation is to forward the designation to council after a recent site survey and updated DPR (California Department of Parks and Recreation) documentation.

Atkinson summarized the record: the warehouse was built about 1918, served as a major fruit- and raisin-packing facility in the 1920s and 1930s, and has been used primarily for storage since the 1960s. She said exterior character-defining features remain largely intact despite coverings over iron-framed windows and some nonoriginal doors and paint. Atkinson said staff is proposing designation of both the warehouse and the smaller boiler room/machine shop on the same parcel.

Will Stanwick, identified as the property owner (PSC Fresno), told the commission he supports the exterior designation. “We are in support for the designation of historic for the exterior component,” Stanwick said, while noting the owner’s project would continue the site’s self-storage use with interior upgrades.

Commissioners discussed whether to give the two buildings a single designation number or separate numbers. Staff explained the parcel-based assessor rules that affect Mills Act applications and advised the commission that a single designation number could be more advantageous because the parcel is singular. The commission’s motion reflected that guidance.

The commission recorded the motion to recommend designation and approved it by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The recommendation will go to City Council for final action.

Background: the building appears on Fresno survey forms going back to 1978 and was previously recommended for designation in 1980 but not designated due to prior owner opposition; a 2015 survey again found it eligible and the most recent DPR update (June, year not specified in this record) affirmed the building’s integrity to its period of significance.