Manteca’s biggest accomplishment in downtown this year wasn’t a physical improvement per se.

It was the successful formation of a downtown property and business improvement district (PBID) funded on the basis of square footage.

Such a district in other Northern San Joaquin Valley cities — Tracy, Lodi, and Turlock — was the catalyst that has helped the downtowns in the respective cities to enhance their vibrancy and ability to draw consumer dollars.

It represents the largest step after six attempts failed since 1962 when business owners first gathered at the MRPS Hall to try and form some type of vehicle to give downtown property owners and businesses united front to shape their future.

The PBID — which secured 62 percent in yes votes — covers a 19 block area.

It goes into effect in early 2025 with a self-funded initial annual budget of $184,555.

The past year saw the City of Manteca take steps to improve downtown in addition to such measures as overnight security patrols and the power washing of sidewalks as well as debris collection.

The endeavors included:

*The opening of the Public Safety Annex in the 100 block of Sycamore Avenue in the remodeled former county public health services office.

*Repaving of the 100 to 300 blocks of West Yosemite Avenue by city street crews.

The city also inked a deal with a  non-profit to develop a 5-story affordable housing senior citizens complex on the northeast corner of Sycamore Avenue and Yosemite Avenue.

Manteca provided the land for the project that will include 42 units on the top four floors.

Commercial space on the ground floor will cover roughly 2,100 square feet.

The commercial entrance will be accessed from the corner — a first for the downtown district.

The lobby entrance to the apartment portion will be from Sycamore Avenue immediately north of the commercial. It will allow access to one of two stairways and an elevator.

It will also access a 15-stall parking area tucked under the second floor with a vehicle entrance from the alley.

The non-profit was unsuccessful in its initial effort to obtain a federal grant pivotal to the project’s success.

The application has since resubmitted for another round of funding consideration.

The city also installed solar lights at the Center Street tennis courts.

The biggest private sector investment in downtown this year was the Deaf Puppy Comedy Club with a grill for daily dining that opened in the 100 block of North Main.

It is the only dedicated comedy club between Fresno and Sacramento. It draw patrons from throughout the area.

Projects to be completed or started in downtown in 2025 include:

*An $800,000 modernization project for the Legion Hall in the 200 block of East Yosemite Avenue that was built in 1926.

*The establishment of a community garden on a large grass area along Sycamore Avenue next to the Center Street tennis courts as well as on a city parcel to the north of the courts where the Scout Hut once stood.

*Construction of the ACE commuter rail passenger platform and parking lot adjacent to the downtown transit center on Moffat Boulevard.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com

.