Call it the black wrought iron look.

Manteca has made a conscious effort in the past year to spruce up the look of municipal facilities whether it is painting chain-link fences to guard against corrosive weather or installing new fences.

Workers Thursday were painting the fencing at the Center Street tennis courts black.

It follows a similar treatment given the Union Road tennis courts.

City Manager Toni Lundgren noted it gives fencing — and facilities — a cleaner look.

Feedback from the community so far indicating black improved the looks of the Union Court chain link fencing re-enforces Lundgren’s sentiments.

The city is also going with black for new chain link fencing that will be installed at the municipal golf course along Crom Street.

Black was also the choice for wrought iron fencing used to secure the front entrance plaza at the transit station last year.

And black wrought iron fencing will be used on raised medians being built along North Main Street north of Alameda Street to prevent pedestrians crossing between intersections. It is part of a $3.4 million project starting in the coming months using a state grant to improve pedestrian, bicyclist and general traffic safety on Main Street between Alameda Street and  Northgate Drive.

Black chain link fencing such as being installed at the golf course costs a little more.

When the council approved the work last year being funded in part from golf fees and COVID relief funds, the action directed staff to go with the slightly more expensive black chain link if there were adequate funds remaining after bids were received.

The $140,000 golf course project replaces fencing that includes sections that are damaged and dilapidated.

Going with one color — or even one style of street lights and sidewalk “furnishings” such as benches and trash receptables –  has rarely been the case in Manteca.

Over the years, for example, the city since 1970 has deployed four different street light styles including pole standards that vary widely with the lamp post style along Union Road bordering the golf and tennis courts.

The city in 2002 zeroed on the pseudo late 19th century look you see now downtown for high profile areas such as along the Tidewater, on Daniels Street west of Airport Way, the Lathrop Road overcrossing and such.

Given the matching traffic light standards have a significantly higher cost than the typical versions, the city went with the standard style but in black near Great Wolf.

The work at the Center Street tennis/pickleball courts also included the installation of solar lighting to allow night play.

The wide grassy area between the tennis court and the sidewalk along Sycamore Avenue is being turned into a community garden overseen by a Manteca-based non-profit.

Both the new lighting and tennis court spruce up along with the community garden are being paid for with federal COVID relief funds.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com