The decorative planters that are helping add color to the corner of Center Street and Sycamore Avenue where people climb up into the oversized aqua Adirondack chair for photo ops could spread throughout downtown.

City Manager Toni Lundgren said the planters — put in place late last year — are a test to see what works.

The “test” includes how well plantings do, how effectively planters are secured, and whether they weather vandalism.

Apparently, it is so far, so good.

The colorful planters may start popping up along Main Street and other downtown streets later this spring.

That is in addition to flower baskets the Downtown Business Association wants to hang from downtown street light posts.

Such an endeavor may rely on the Manteca Garden Club to maintain the flowers and care for them. If that happens, it would be similar to an arrangement in Ripon where a community volunteer group handles the task.

There is also a possibility other Adirondack-style chairs, although not as large as the one by the library, could be placed elsewhere in downtown.

The flower planters and whimsical chairs are part of an effort to provide downtown with a “vibe” as an appealing place to be.

It is the same goal as the city’s other new initiative of covering drab utility boxes with art creations by local artists.

The efforts dovetail into the mural project that was launched 24 years ago to provide the community with a sense of being by celebrating Manteca’s history, culture, and economy.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com