Manteca has come up with another solution that addresses homeless concerns while at the same time stepping up the appeal of downtown.

The city used a $30,000 state grant to add wrought iron fencing to secure the plaza of the iconic Manteca Transit Center complete with a  four-sided clock tower.

It accomplishes two things.

First, it keeps people from loitering on the plaza that can make its use problematic for rental events or even programming community activities such as possible art shows or mini-concerts in the future.

And it also helps enforce one of two carveouts of municipal properties where the homeless aren’t allowed to sleep. The other is the Manteca Veterans Center/Moffat Community Center farther to the southeast on Moffat Boulevard.

Court rulings have said the homeless are allowed to sleep on public sidewalks as long as there is safe American with Disabilities passage during reasonable hours.

They also have to be allowed to do so in public areas that are open to all regardless of their homeless status.

Parks, as an example, are off limits to all overnight unless an exception is made by the city to accommodate a specific event.

The courts have allowed a reasonable number of exceptions  involving areas that anyone can access where overnight sleeping can be banned. The city designated the exceptions as being the transit center and veterans center.

The allowed hours for areas that are unsecured and are public spaces that aren’t secured and not closed off to everyone are 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The rule also makes the only sidewalks where sleeping can be done are those in commercial areas. That’s because residential sidewalks are only 4 feet wide. As such, there is no adequate passage for ADA compliance.

The city does have a security service that enforces the overnight sleeping prohibition at the transit center.

That said, homeless were known to pile their belongings on the plaza and stake out a spot during day hours.

The fencing, complete with a wrought iron gate under the entrance arch facing the Main Street and Moffat Boulevard intersection, will now allow the plaza to be used in conjunction with rentals or events without problems.

It is a similar approach the city used almost five years ago to address homeless that were camping in the library courtyard on Center Street.

They were damaging lights to charge cellphones, defecating, urinating, and leaving garbage.

The city’s response was to secure the courtyard with wrought iron fencing for $7,000.

In doing so, it was transformed into a  low-key outside area during the day for reading complete with tables and umbrellas.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabuletin.com