Can’t blame this one on Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The governor agreed 44 months ago to send $16 million to Manteca to build a homeless navigation center complete with transitional housing.

Then State Senator Susan Eggman, who did all of the heavy lifting in the legislature as well as with Newsom’s office, presented a ceremonial check to the city in October 2022.

The actual check was received by the city in January 2023 some 26 months ago.

Keep in mind addressing the homeless issues in Manteca as effectively as possible has been among the City Council’s top priorities for more than seven years.

The city now doesn’t expect to finish up plans so it can go to bid to build it until the end of this year.

Originally, the promise was made to get started by 2024.

Assuming the city holds to the new timeline, that means the facility won’t be completed until the end of 2027 or 43 months after the city cashed the $16 million check.

Does anyone on the City Council have a problem with that? 

Apparently not. 

For whatever reason it is taking as long to build a homeless navigation center as World War II was fought, the council has an excellent opportunity to make a decision that better benefits the community assuming they can let go of their unhealthy obsession with 555 Industrial Park Drive.

Unless, of course,  they are going to drop a bombshell on the community and make the emergency drop in shelter a permanent fixture at 555 Industrial Park Drive which was never in  any plans presented to the public.

Keep in mind three things.

The city has always insisted the $16 million wasn’t tied specifically to 680 South Main Street.

They also said the homeless navigation center will not be a drop-in center, rather those who enter the program will be taken there by an outreach team.

They also said they were more than willing to put it behind a 6 or 7 foot masonry wall.

Now for the better decision.

The 8 acre site is exactly the size needed for the new police station.

Originally, the city wanted to stick the police station next to the wastewater treatment plant on the far western edge of the city less than a half mile from the Lathrop city limits.

They backed off after realizing they’d eat up a large chunk of Measure Q sales tax to extend Milo Candini Drive and other infrastructure to the site.

Then there is the not too small detail of optics.

Sticking the police department off the beaten track while putting the homeless navigation center on the city’s prime north-south arterial says a lot about priorities.

Keep in mind the homeless navigation center could go anywhere given it needs about four acres and supposedly will be secured by a masonry wall.

There is infrastructure on West Yosemite Avenue in front of the wastewater treatment plant.

Of course, there is a school of thought that a community center and or library can go at 680 South Main Street.

But whether the city can afford to do such endeavors when in constant 2025 dollars Measure Q in a semi best case scenario will generate just $260 million.

The police station will cost $75 million plus bond interest.

Major work on existing roads was placed at $42 million three years ago.

The council wants to spend roughly $2 million a year on public safety for $40 million.

That’s $157 million total.

Toss in a community park and other amenities that were implied as a promise for supporting Measure Q plus the obvious need to have a more muscular street division as well as a more robust community services staffing and pretty soon you’re talking a lot of money for a lot of needs.

Granted, there are growth fees that can be tapped.

A library and with a community center and amphitheater at the city’s next community park wherever that may end up going, has endless synergy potential for cultural programming.

And since Manteca Transit isn’t going away, does it really matter where such a complex goes?

Manteca should be proud of its police department.

And placing it at 680 South Main Street fills up a big hole in the central district.

Of course, the city has some options for a police department on Daniels Street, even though it is clearly near the edge of the city.

But if they eat up 8 acres in the 150-acre family entertainment zone they better do some fancy footwork explaining the FEZ marketing video posted on the city’s website.

Either the FEZ is the city’s proverbial economic golden goose or its not.

As for the 8 acres or so by Staybridge Suites and the Sizzler, the city has always argued that a prime site to lure a commercial development.

Not that it really matters apparently but both Ripon and Lathrop built their police stations near their respective downtowns.

In Lathrop’s case, it is the main town center at River Islands that for all practical purposes is being developed as a downtown.

And let’s not forget both Ripon and Lathrop have their animal shelters near their respective wastewater treatment plants.

Manteca’s is on the edge of downtown on Main Street.

It’s a good location as it is not out of sight and out of mind.

It would just be nice if Manteca’s elected leaders treated the police department on the same level of the animal shelter when it comes to its location.

The bottom line is simple.

The Manteca Police Department should be high profile and something the community can take pride in every day.

One last thought.

There was a reason previous city councils bought 555 Industrial Park Drive and 680 South Main Street to locate a police station.

It was considered an ideal central location and would remain so as the city grows.

This column is the opinion of editor, Dennis Wyatt, and does not necessarily represent the opinions of The Bulletin or 209 Multimedia. He can be reached at dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com