Mayor Gary Singh predicts parking downtown will improve significantly in the next few years.

And it is likely to do so by more than 200 spaces without costing the city a dime.

That’s because when ACE trains start stopping in downtown Manteca in the late 2027 to 2028 time frame, it will include a major expansion of the existing transit center parking lot on Moffat Boulevard.

The ACE parking will run from the transit center to a point south of Sherman Avenue.

It will serve a passenger boarding platform that will sit between two tracks complete with stairs and elevators to access a pedestrian bridge crossing.

The double tracking to downtown Manteca from the railroad wye in Lathrop is part of the ACE service expansion from Ceres to Sacramento.

You will also be able to board an ACE train from downtown Manteca station to reach San Jose.

Singh noted it will create a significant amount of parking on weekends within walking distance of Yosemite Avenue and Main Street for major events such as the Watermelon Festival, Pumpkin Fair, Christmas parade, and Fourth of July parade.

The ACE parking is needed on weekdays for commuters.

There is no scheduled train service planned for weekends. And based on how additional trains would be staggered, it would allow Manteca parking growth for weeknights if and when downtown eventually becomes a major draw.

“It makes no sense for Manteca to build a parking structure,” Singh said.

He noted on the long-range horizon if ridership 10, 20, or 30 years into the future justified its, the rail commission has indicated it would entertain the idea of increasing parking by possibly building a parking structure.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com