Stanislaus County has begun work on long-awaited improvements to the Colorado/Rouse area, an unincorporated pocket in west Modesto.
The area, formally called Urban Pocket Area 9, has been the subject of local government initiatives to bring neglected neighborhoods up to modern standards. Colorado/Rouse is in need of sidewalks, storm drainage, sewer mains and street improvements.
At a ceremony Wednesday to celebrate the start of construction, officials said the project would not be possible without a commitment of $13.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Stanislaus County and dollars from partner agencies…