The Fresno Historic Preservation Commission reviewed a Section 106 report for 887 Fulton Street, known historically as the Berkeley Building, on the commission’s agenda tonight.

David Densley, projects administrator for the City, said the federal Brownfield Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund will pay for site preparation and interior abatement work to remove asbestos, lead-based paint and extensive mold. He described containment, interior air filtration and proper disposal of hazardous materials as the scope of the federal action and said that work “prepares that building to move forward with other planned demolitions and construction.” The federal action as presented focuses on abatement and limited roof work where asbestos-containing material exists.

Elena, the lead author from Stantec Consulting Incorporated, told the commission that previous documentation recommended local-register eligibility but that, on review against National Register and California Register criteria, “this building did not meet the threshold of a building individually eligible for listing.” Staff pointed commissioners to Appendix E and the DPR form included in the packet as the evaluation record.

Commissioners asked whether the Section 106 review covered demolition; staff clarified the current federal action covers remediation only and that any future exterior modifications or demolition would return to the commission for review. No formal vote was required on this review item; commissioners had no additional comments before moving to the next agenda item.

Next steps: The Section 106 documentation and DPR materials remain in the project record; any future actions beyond abatement (including exterior alterations or demolition) would require separate review and potential referral to the commission.