The Manteca City Council is moving forward with work needed to complete the design plans to upgrade two alleys and a pair of municipal parking lots in the heart of downtown.
The council Tuesday directed staff to tap into the $2.4 million Assigned Economic Revitalization (AER) fund to pay for the design work.
Mayor Pro Temp Richard Silverman said he would like the council at a future meeting to discuss how that fund can be utilized to address specific projects such as the alleys in a bid to eliminate blight and stimulate economic growth in Manteca. Silverman opened the door for a possible council discussion whether to fund the actual work that will come to $600,000 from the AER set aside if staff is unsuccessful at securing funds from other sources for the construction phase.
Silverman said the last thing he wants to see is the city spending $39,315 for plans and then putting them on a shelf.
The alley work is one of two significant movements the city is making downtown. The other, under the direction of City Manager Elena Reyes, is the creation of special zoning districts in a bid to address unique challenges that are posing a road block for various forms of private sector investment.
Reyes said the initial area being addressed is generally in and around the 100 and 200 blocks of West Yosemite. It has different physical restraints than property along Center Street or that east of Main Street that will be addressed in later phases.
The city is working with the Manteca Chamber of Commerce to move the zoning changes forward.
In the past, the city has pursued the strategy that a plan fashioned with the help of a consultant was needed first before definite action was taken downtown.
The area where the alley and parking lot work is being planned involves the alley from Maple Avenue to Main Street between Center Street and Yosemite Avenue as well as an alley that intersects it from Center Street.
City staff said they plan to have workshops with downtown property owners and merchants for input in the design.
Merchants are hopeful that strategic placement of lighting while enhance security and that the design will set the stage toward a long range goal of getting more businesses to make their back entrances enticing to attract customers.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabuletin.com