Manteca is investing in excess of $2 million this year to shape the look and future of downtown.

The only thing, though, that will be visible in 2026 from the expenditures will be an 80-foot-wide arch spanning South Main Street between the railroad tracks and Wetmore Street.

That’s because the $1.2 million purchase of the IOOF Hall at Yosemite Avenue and Main Street that is expected to be escrow in the coming months won’t result in any “visible movement” in terms of exterior and interior renovation for a year.

The goal is to create a “gateway building” for downtown to secure desired restaurant and entertainment venues.

Nor will the investment in a specific plan that will be in the six figures to create a holistic approach and design guide complete with a boilerplate environmental impact report to fast track private sector development “be visible” as it likely won’t be in place until 2027.

The eastern base of the $620,000 arch will be on the sidewalk near the city’s animal shelter.

A decision to equip the arch with programmable LED lighting able to draw from a repertoire of colors may end up making the arch such an iconic symbol for Manteca.

The arch could be in place by mid-year.

Downtown specific plan

Most of the public improvements identified in a 2001  downtown plan — transit center with meeting room, expansion and upgrading Library Park, adding appealing streetscape improvements such as old-style street light  to name a few — have been completed.

However, the land use and design guidelines were not implemented.

The new plan will not only identify additional public amenities but will complete the missing elements of the 2001 Downtown Improvement Plan.

The idea this time is not only to follow through with putting in place land use and design guidelines but to also adopt an overall environment review to reduce red tape facing private sector investors.

By doing so, it would allow the fast tracking of the type of development the city wants to see downtown and reduce the costs to the private sector in order to do so.

Among the areas of work the city expects a consultant to address:

*Community Involvement Strategy.  

* Opportunity Sites Analysis.  

* Economic/Market Demand Analysis.

*Residential Project Analysis.

 *Building, Art, and Urban Design.

*Public Space and Uses.

*Multi-Modal Access and Connectivity.  

 *Downtown Preservation Strategy.  

*Implementation Plan and Financing Strategy.  

*Zoning Ordinance Code Update.  

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com