Plans are being made to build a five story building housing at least 40 senior affordable apartment units as well as commercial on the ground floor on the northeast corner of Yosemite and Sycamore avenues.
It is envisioned for two parcels — a parking lot that was developed on private land using redevelopment agency money years ago and a free-standing brick wall of a former building. The city bought both for $80,000 in 2021.
The City Council when they meet Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Transit Center, 220 Moffat Blvd., will consider approving a deposition and development agreement with Delta Community Developers Corp.
The agreement includes a 55-year affordability restriction on the property, a performance deed of trust and a ground lease among other documents to set the project in motion.
The documents will allow the city to “dispose” of the property to the Housing Authority of San Joaquín County for $100 to ensure the maximization of their ability to obtain grant funds.
It allows the housing authority to collaborate and partner with the developer.
The terms require the project to be developed and completed by no later than Dec. 31, 2028.
The project is to have over 40 affordable senior units on the upper floors for those 62 and older who qualify by income.
There will be “tucked under” accessible ADA parking, bicycling parking, community rooms, as well as a commercial component on the first floor.
“It will be a big catalyst for downtown,” Mayor Gary Singh said.
And it isn’t the only city initiative underway to get momentum going to take downtown to the next level.
The city is currently applying pressure to the owner of the boarded up Sycamore Arms directly across Sycamore Avenue from the housing project site to improve the two-story, boarded-up structure that was damaged a few years back in a fire or face heavy fines.
Just a half block to the north on Sycamore Avenue, the owner of the brick, two-story Old City Hall has been issued permits to complete renovation work.
The building, also damaged in a fire, will have offices on the top floor and a restaurant on the ground floor.
It is across the street from where the city earlier this year opened a satellite public safety office in the former San Joaquin County Public Health Clinic.
Manteca Councilman Jose Nuno, who worked for 18 years with non-profit housing agency, noted the 55-year affordability restriction and the oversight of the housing authority will assure that the building will be well managed and maintained.
“We will be able to look at it 20 years (from now) and it will be as beautiful as the day it was completed,” Nuno said.
Unlike second-story housing built in the 1910s and 1920s over some downtown locations, the complex will not be subject to the ability of private sector owners to maintain or police it.
Singh noted there is ample city-owned parking nearby — including that adjoining the satellite public safety office — to accommodate parking for tenants.
The location is within walking distance of three small markets — one just over a block to the west, one three blocks to the east and one across the street.
It is also within a block of the library as well as Library Park.
That is in addition to other services available downtown including transit, banking, the post office, dining, and more. There is also an urgent care.
And by 2025, ACE passenger train service will be available downtown to allow tenants, if they so choose, to travel to the Bay Area or Sacramento on day trips.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
