The city is now the owner of one of the most prominent buildings in downtown Manteca — the historic IOOF Hall built in 1911.

Escrow closed earlier this month on the $1.2 million purchase using part of the city’s $2 million set aside fund to bankroll municipal initiatives aimed at strengthening the local economy and in turn generate more tax revenue to help underwrite day-to-day services such as police, fire, and street upkeep.

“This is a game changer for Downtown Manteca,” said Mayor Gary Singh. “The purchase of the (IOOF Hall/Manteca Bedquarters) building gives the City a once in a generation opportunity to shape the future of our downtown instead of simply reacting to it.”

“It allows us to lead by example to create a vibrant destination that attracts new businesses, supports local entrepreneurs, encourages investment, and gives our community a downtown they can truly be proud of. This isn't just about buying a building it's about investing in the future of Manteca and accelerating the revitalization of our downtown.”

The purchase ups the city’s ante — and provides a major building block — when it comes to the $980,000 endeavor moving forward to have the consulting firm Ascend help mold a holistic plan for downtown’s future.

It will also include an overall environmental document to help fast track the approval and building process.

The city’s goal is recreating the original drawing power the IOOF building had when Manteca was still basically a wide spot in the road to help spur private sector investment in downtown.

Manteca leaders intend to do so by partnering with a private sector developer to create a vision and execute it.

It is likely to transform what has been retail from the beginning on the ground floor and was a community hall of sorts on the second floor until 25 to 30 years ago, into some type of dining and entertainment venue.

The goal is for the city not to own or operate businesses at the location.

There is no adopted timeline on when physical work would start.

Initially, the city needs to put out feelers for a potential partner.

It has been noted if that is unsuccessful, one scenario could see the city jumpstart it a concept and design and then move forward while seeking a partner that would either lease or possible buyer.

The city has indicated they want to preserve as much of the distinctive architecture of the IOOF Hall as possible.

Other potential issues could involve seismic retrofitting, ADA issues especially with access to the second floor, and working with the series of murals honoring veterans that dominate the wall facing the 100 block of South Main Street.

The city also has indicated they could ultimately transform the adjoining parking lot on the northwest corner of Yosemite and Main by “activating it” as a community gathering spot possibly in conjunction with future uses of the IOOF Hall.

Meanwhile, a condition of the sale that required the seller to redo the parking lot was completed.

It is expected to remain as a municipal parking lot for now although the city may use it for “interim” purposes until a final concept and design is developed whether it is as an outdoor market/dining area, recreational purposes, programmed events or similar uses.

The city is not committed to the parking lot being kept there forever especially given it is the most prominent corner in downtown and can be used to set a new tone for the central district.

This is not the city’s first venture with the private sector in making sure a prominent and historic building in downtown is transformed into a drawing card.

Back in the late 1990s, a $250,000 Manteca Redevelopment Agency loan bridged a private sector funding gap that allowed the burned out shell of the El Rey Theater to be transformed into Kelly Brothers Brewing Co. & Brickyard Oven Restaurant.

The property owner originally was planning to convert it into a three-story office building.

Had that happened there would have been no brewery and The Veranda — considered as one of the most impressive celebratory event centers in the Northern San Joaquin Valley — would not be part of downtown Manteca today.

Even before the escrow closed, Manteca was the largest owner of building space as well as property downtown.

That includes the Public Safety Annex on Sycamore Avenue, the Manteca Transit Center, the Manteca Library, Library Park, Wilson Park, and the vacant lot on the northwest corner of Sycamore and Yosemite.

That is in addition to several parking lots.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com