Construction is picking up steam on downtown Manteca’s first major building project since the mid-1990s.
Crews have started work in earnest on the $7.3 million transit station. The 3.1-acre complex at Moffat Boulevard and South Main Street is targeted for completion by April 4.
The brick veneer structure that makes extensive use of glass, arches, and steel canopy has been described by architect Eric Wohle of LDA Partners as instilling a “grand central” theme.
City leaders hope it becomes a gathering spot, a focal point, and a downtown icon from its location on The Tidewater Bikeway and Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Initially, Manteca Transit and intercity buses operated by San Joaquin Regional Transit will use the station as a hub. The station could serve as a stop when Altamont Commuter Express passenger train service is extended south into Modesto.
The transit station includes:
•a large community room that can be divided in two for use for dinners, receptions, and other events complete with a kitchen facility.
•an expansive outdoor plaza designed to accommodate events such as an outdoors farmers market.
•a large clock tower visible in all directions.
The design is about more than just pleasing the eye.
•The higher pitched ceiling in the community room has been designed with dropped “clouds” consisting of acoustical panels to soften noise.
•The materials used - such as wainscoting on the walls in the lobby and the community room - are designed to reduce maintenance costs.
•The design has been modified so if one person is on staff in the building at the ticket window that they have a clear visual line to the community room entrances.
The restrooms accessible to the public and the community room address a common complaint women have - not enough toilets. The women’s bathroom has eight toilets while the men’s side has two toilets and a pair of urinals.
There are 108 parking spaces, bus drop off zones with shelters and safety fence to keep passengers away from Moffat traffic. A vehicle drop-off zone would be in place on Moffat as well as on site complete with a turn-around. Dedicated left turns would be added to Moffat for entering the transit station parking lot. A pedestrian crosswalk would also be added on Moffat.
The project will also include putting in place a fiber optic line between the Civic Center and the transit station. It wil be the backbone of a city system to provide security cameras at selected bus stops as well as parks throughout Manteca.
Funding for the project is from county, state, and federal sources that are restricted to transit related projects. It includes $2.6 million from the federal Transit Administration, $1.8 million from Proposition 1B, $1.5 million from the Regional Surface Transportation Program, $256,000 from the Local Transportation Fund, and $700,000 from Measure K countywide transit sales tax receipts.
No general fund money is being used to build the facility. In addition, state and federal pass through funds for transit use will be employed to maintain and operate the station.
