Manteca is inventorying all city property — including any parks that may not being used — to determine if the city already owns property that might be conducive to establishing either a homeless resource center or a drop-in shelter for single adults.
It is part of what is almost an “all-department” effort to compile an extensive list of options for the Manteca City Council to consider as the next steps to address the city’s homeless problem.
The holistic approach being explored will cover such nuances as “homeless proofing” development through things as landscaping and requiring trash bin enclosures with tops to addressing issues related to defecating.
But the biggest item is where the council could opt to locate a homeless shelter or resource center if they elect to go that route.
The inventory will also include potential private property based on zones where the city allows such a use. The preference would be to use a suitable site the city owns as it would reduce the time it would take to get a shelter or resource center up and running.
Acting City Manager Miranda Lutzow said after the first meeting of the in-house homeless committee various departments were tasked with various things to research. She said they also want to see if they can develop more robust data on the Manteca homeless population that goes beyond the point in time count conducted in January that showed 218 homeless living in Manteca.
Knowing how many homeless are single adults, as an example, could be critical in sizing a homeless shelter.
The city is proceeding with a hunt for solutions even though they are hoping to prevail in an effort with other jurisdictions to get the Supreme Court to consider and then overturn a 9th District ruling. That ruling prevents cities in California and other states under its authority from enforcing laws restricting and/or prohibiting camping or sleeping in public places if there is not an alternate option – essentially a homeless shelter — that has bed space available.
Based on the need of an acre give or take that would be needed for a shelter there are at least seven potential candidates for placing a homeless shelter on city property:
1212 Moffat Boulevard: This is property the city obtained when they purchased the old Tidewater Southern Railway right of way for a bicycle path. It is between Moffat and the railroad tracks from the 120 overpass to the intersection with Spreckels Avenue and covers 1.73 acres. This was the original location proposed for the Moffat Community Center/Manteca Veterans Hall. It is in an industrial park area. It is also in an area where there is currently a lot of homeless camping.
2260 and 2268 West Yosemite Avenue. The two parcels cover 1.93 acres and are located near the wastewater treatment plant near where the future alignment of Milo Candini to Yosemite Avenue is envisioned. It is also in an industrial area.
210 East Wetmore. Within a year the city is expected to relocate the solid waste division to the wastewater treatment plant site. It is within a block of South Main Street and south of downtown.
1749 East Atherton Drive. The 1.73-acre parcel is next to the city’s water storage tank. Nearby residential areas are walled off by sound walls and the city is now building a fire station across the street. It backs up to the railroad tracks.
580, 600, and 800 Moffat Boulevard. This is an area between the Manteca Veterans Hall and a shuttered recycling center the city listed as a possible resource center location earlier this year when they looked at alternatives to the former Qualex building at 555 Industrial Park Drive for a resource center. The biggest drawbacks is that is across the street from Manteca High and are likely candidates to become parking when the Altamont Commute Express service starts in 2023 at the nearby Manteca Transit Center.
Land north of Daniels Street between the railroad tracks and Big League Dreams. This is the part of the 120 acre family entertainment zone the city is pursuing. It is currently being marketed under an exclusive agreement. While it does include an area that might work sandwiched between the BLD complex and the wastewater treatment plant where a community recreation complex/aquatics center has been proposed, it is highly unlikely the city would do anything that would distract from their vision.
Land at the wastewater treatment plant on West Yosemite Avenue. While a large swath is being developed as a solar farm and a yard waste composting and transfer station is being considered in addition to an area set aside for a future treatment plant, there is possible land along Yosemite Avenue. The city’s solid waste division is being located to the plant site as well as part of the public works department.
The city has 22 undeveloped parcels throughout the city. Most are either too narrow or are located in residential areas.
Lutzow said the in-house committee is meeting again next week. They are expected to explore both portable and permanent structures for potential resource center of homeless shelter.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
