Writing the next chapter in downtown Manteca’s history is key to its continued economic success as the city is closing in on 100,000 residents and beyond

And one of the most critical needs — as gleaned from a survey of property owners — is the need “to control the story of downtown.”

That point was illustrated succinctly in survey responses.

There was an agreement that downtown is relatively safe “however it suffers from an unsafe image.”

It is just one of two major paradoxes that downtown needs to deal with.

The other is the assumption it is not a somewhat successful and vibrant area.

Failing downtowns do not have:

*five flourishing banks and financial institutions.

*six significant private sector investments in the past two years that have added a brewery, comedy club, an upscale events center, as well as remodeled and converted spaces that includes a new restaurant.

*three major gathering place — the MRPS Hall, the FESM Hall, and the Veranda Events Center that includes rooftop dining.

It is why branding and marketing is part of a five-year plan that includes steps to beautiful and make downtown more appealing.

That plan is outlined in a management document by New City America Inc. devised on ongoing input since 2022 from a number of downtown players and paid for by the city.

And it is the foundation of what is expected to be a major milestone in the evolution of downtown.

The Manteca City Council when they meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. will decide whether to put in motion steps needed to establish the Downtown Manteca Property & Business Improvement District.

It essentially puts the future of the downtown area as a whole into a collective effort controlled and financed by downtown concerns.

The city has gotten to this point — which is the farthest ever in bids to get downtown clicking as a unified district with the means and power to do so over the past 60 years — because owners of more than 50 percent of the property have signed on in support.

The district would have a five-year lifespan that, going forward, would have to be renewed by the majority every five years to continue.

It would be funded by an annual assessment of 17 cents per square foot of building space, 5 cents per square foot of lots, and $3.50 per linear foot.

The identified district includes 435,176 square feet of building space (the rough equivalent of four Manteca Walmarts), 1,282,549 in lot square footage, 13,321 liner feet (2.5 miles) of frontage.

The 111 properties owned by 71 different owners would generate $184,780 in the initial year.

That would be in addition to what the city is already doing.

In other words, it will not supplant what is currently being done downtown in terms of city services nor will it preclude the city from doing more or making other investments.

What it does is allow downtown as a whole to address additional security; landscaping; marketing such as social media, as well as promotions; and cleaning public spaces.

The first year’s budget would have $92,000 earmarked for civil sidewalks, benefit services, And administration.

Civil sidewalks may include, but are not limited

to:

• Regular sidewalk and gutter sweeping

• Periodic sidewalk steam cleaning

• Beautification of the district

• Enhanced trash emptying (over and above city services)

• Timely graffiti removal, within 72 hours as necessary

• Maintenance of existing and new public spaces

• Installation and maintenance of hanging plants, planting flowers throughout the district.

• Possibly funding private security to respond to issues of trespassing and petty crime

• Personnel to manage in-house or contracted maintenance and/or security teams.

Examples of special benefit services and costs may include, but are not limited

to:

• Website development and updating

• Traditional events done by the City or businesses within Downtown

• Social media, public relations firm

• Enhancing current City holiday and seasonal decorations

• Branding of Downtown Manteca CBD properties so a positive image is promoted to the

public including the development of a new logo.

• Banner programs

• Public art displays

• Public space design and improvements

• Personnel to manage in-house or contracted public relations, web site maintenance or social media contractors.

Examples of administrative expenses may include, but is not limited to:

• Staff and administrative costs, contracted or in-house

• Directors and Officers and General Liability Insurance

• Office related expenses

• Rent

• Financial reporting and accounting

• Legal work

The district will include 19 blocks.

It includes:

*Yosemite Avenue from the railroad tracks to several parcels east of Grant Avenue.

*Main Street from the railroad tracks to roughly a point two thirds of the way to North Street beyond Center Street.

*Both sides of Center Street from Maple Avenue to Grant Avenue.

*The south side of Center Street from Poplar Avenue to Maple Avenue.

*The 100 block of South Maple, the 100 block of North Maple, and two parcels north of Center Street on the east side of Maple.

*The 100 blocks of Sycamore Avenue and Manteca Avenue.

*The Manteca Transit Center and Mexican drive-in restaurant on Moffat Boulevard.

 To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com