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Living Spaces, retail dining in works for Atherton Dr.
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The completion and opening of the stretch of Atherton Drive between Union Road and Airport Way has triggered strong interest in what will be Manteca’s newest large-scale commercial development — Union Crossing.

The 48.7 acre project on the southwest corner of the Union Road/120 Bypass interchange straddles Atherton Drive and fronts Union Road as far south as Woodward Avenue.

The initial phase will accommodate the 120,000-square-foot Living Spaces furniture showroom and warehouse expected to break ground no later than early 2020.

There is also strong interest in the second phase on the northwest and southwest corners of Union Road and Atherton Drive.  There are three building pads on the south side proposed ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 square feet that Circle K convenience stores, a bank, and a fast food restaurant have expressed interest in developing.

Manteca Development Group has also been approached by a hotel chain interested in building on the north side where 120,000 square feet of hotel, restaurant, and retail space is being planned on the southwest corner of where the $23.7 million diverging diamond interchange is now under construction at Union Road and the 120 Bypass.

The second phase also includes 281 multiple family units — most likely apartments — on the south side of Atherton Drive east of where the Circle K, bank and fast food restaurant are envisioned.

A third phase would extend retail to the farthest south point yet in Manteca on the northwest corner of Woodward Avenue and Union Road where there is currently an almond orchard. It involves space for 46,200 square feet of retail and restaurants.

The original environmental impact report for the project was adopted in 2009 just as the Great Recession hit. The project now being advanced  contains less retail space plus the addition of multiple family housing to comply with the city’s push for more mixed uses to place higher density housing in close proximity with retail, restaurants, and services.

The biggest change since 2009 was the Southern California based Living Spaces Furniture inking a deal to go ahead with a 120,000-square-foot showroom-warehouse fronting the new stretch of Atherton Drive. They are projecting annual sales of $35 million at the high-profile location. They will employ 65 full-time workers, 25-part-time workers and throughout a given year have 50 temporary workers.  

The Manteca Planning Commission will consider the addendum to the 2009 EIR when they meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center, 1001 W. Center St.


To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com