Manteca is lining up a nearly seven-figure planning push and a marquee property purchase in a bid to turn its sleepy historic core into a place people actually stick around in, not just speed through. The City Council is poised to bring in a consultant to sketch out a new vision anchored at Main Street and Yosemite Avenue, with a walkable run of shops, restaurants and public spaces at the center of the makeover.
As part of the effort, council members yesterday reviewed a package that pairs a new design and environmental study with recent city property moves right in the middle of downtown. The basic pitch: if Manteca builds a more inviting, people-focused downtown spine, the private sector will follow.
According to CBS Sacramento, the city is set to award a downtown “civic plan” contract to Ascent Environmental, tasking the firm with analyzing architecture, traffic circulation and the mix of businesses Manteca should attract. Mayor Gary Singh told the outlet the push is “a long time coming” and said the city is “on the front end” of growth. A downtown merchant, meanwhile, said he just wants to see the long-vacant IOOF Hall activated instead of gathering dust. CBS reports the contract comes in at just under $1 million and would be funded by downtown property owners who agreed to levy assessments on themselves…