City leaders are upping the ante when it comes to their downtown portfolio.

Already the largest property owner in downtown, the City of Manteca is in escrow with their pending $1.2 million purchase of the IOOF Hall and adjoining parking lot on the northeast corner of Yosemite Avenue and Main Street.

It marks the third purchase of downtown property since 2021.

Manteca purchased the former San Joaquin County health clinic on Sycamore Avenue in 2021. It now houses the city’s public safety annex.

Shortly thereafter, they bought two vacant parcels on the northwest corner of Sycamore and Yosemite avenues for $80,000.

They have partnered with a non-profit that is seeking federal funds to build a five-story building with 42 low-income senior apartment units on the upper floors and retail on the ground floor.

Those properties are in addition to the transit station, the library, Library Park, the tennis courts/community garden/vacant parcel to the north, Wilson Park, and several parking lots.

The city, of course, owns the streets and Tidewater segment as well.

The city’s property is expected to get a solid look at how it all fits into future aspirations for the central district as part of the $980,000 downtown master plan that is being developed over the coming months with the help of the Ascend consulting firm.

And while attention is being focused on the high-profile IOOF Hall and adjoining parcel in terms of how it can best be used as a way to draw more people downtown, the future of Library Park will likely be a key part of the master plan.

Ironically, the last downtown plan that led to the expansion and renovation of Library Park at a cost of $1.4 million when it was completed in 2012 has fallen far short of expectations.

The interactive water play feature that used to draw families hasn’t operated for more than eight years.

The bandstand and amphitheater seating are rarely used.

In fact, overall use of Library Park — with the exception of the Pumpkin Fair, the Crossroads Street Fair, and events tied to the Christmas parade — is less robust than prior to the expansion and investment.

Wison Park, across the street to the southeast of Library Park, rarely sees users except for homeless who will occasionally linger there.

The city’s recently updated parks and recreation masterplan skirted over addressing any remedies to make use of either Library Park or Wilson Park more robust.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com