The key to re-energizing downtown as a community hub isn’t repurposing an iconic building or even a dazzling arch.

 “It’s not a sign or a building but rather an active gathering place downtown,” noted Chelsey Norton Payne who will serve as Ascent’s project manager to help mold a holistic specific plan for downtown Manteca over the next 18 months.

And that active gathering place might just take hold on the asphalt covered lot the city is in the process of buying as part of a $1.2 million deal that includes the iconic IOOF Building that now houses the Manteca Bedquarters on the ground floor.

Payne’s comments proceeded a unanimous council vote Tuesday to hire Ascent for $945,992 with a $47,300 contingency.

The corner along with the IOOF Hall played a major role in helping staff select from various planning forms that responded to Manteca’s request for proposals.

Each applicant that made the final round were asked for input on the property in question that was referenced as an “opportunity site.”
City Manager Toni Lundgren noted several months ago that it was a way Manteca could possibly avail itself of general ideas on how best to transform the property the city was acquiring without spending money on a consultant.

The Ascent team zeroed in on the vacant space as well an adjoining municipal parking lot as its main focus instead of the building per se.

Payne noted it afforded the city “a great opportunity” to create buy-in not just for downtown but before potentially more extensive investment is made on the corner lot.

She said by “activating the site” — basically putting it to use other than for parking — the city could create a “fun and family friendly space” that will help encourage community buy-in and gauge interest in a more elaborate transformation.

Payne repeatedly made it clear the vision Ascent has for the corner was just a suggestion.

What will ultimately be proposed for the corner and downtown as a whole — from traffic circulation, walkability improvements, development standards, and more – will be the result of robust outreach to secure input from the community, as well as downtown businesses and property owner.

What Ascent suggested is a two-step approach to the corner after the initial plan of the city to make it a temporary public parking lot while the downtown specific plan is being pieced together, adopted, and a project approved for the property by the City Council.
The first step is creating a public space with fencing and landscaping with no permanent structures.

It would allow the city to start year-round programming for events and activities to attract residents to downtown on a regular basis.

The space could accommodate a play zone, movie night, farmers market, roller rink, pop-up art, and seasonal endeavors such as a pumpkin patch or an expansion on the Santa Hut.

The long-term concept could include:
*A pavilion structure for small community space of a café and a shaded patio and seating at the corner.

*A food hall with indoor and outdoor spaces and a central open space that flows into the existing city-owned parking lot next to the Deaf Puppy Comedy Club by eliminating the northern end of the alley.

*The food hall and central plaza endeavored with a third level use for the roof of the IOOF Hall that could have a café with patio.

The transformation of the corner lot would be in addition to the city’s plan to partner with the private sector to rethink how the IOOF building can be used to create an entry point calling card for downtown by housing “meeting” and “gathering” places such as restaurants.

Councilman Charlie Halford noted what Ascent will be doing is the most complete approach to downtown he has seen in 40 years.

That approach also includes a blanket environmental impact study to reduce delays for private sector investments.

Morowit noted the fact the city is buying the IOOF Hall and adjoining property also puts its efforts to move downtown forward using Ascent’s expertise on much more solid ground.

“We’re not playing around,” Councilwoman Regina Lackey said of the significant commitment the city is making to help improve the downtown business climate and expanding it as a community gathering place.

Councilman Dave Breitenbucher sees developing a vibrant public space as a way to return downtown to what it was when he was growing up as the place where Manteca residents gathered.

Mayor Gary Singh was impressed at how focused Ascent appeared to be on what makes Manteca unique.

“We don’t have to be Lodi or Livermore,” Singh said in reference to what downtowns some want Manteca to emulate. “We can have a plan for Manteca.”

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com

The key to re-energizing downtown as a community hub isn’t repurposing an iconic building or even a dazzling arch.

 “It’s not a sign or a building but rather an active gathering place downtown,” noted Chelsey Norton Payne who will serve as Ascent’s project manager to help mold a holistic specific plan for downtown Manteca over the next 18 months.

And that active gathering place might just take hold on the asphalt covered lot the city is in the process of buying as part of a $1.2 million deal that includes the iconic IOOF Building that now houses the Manteca Bedquarters on the ground floor.

Payne’s comments proceeded a unanimous council vote Tuesday to hire Ascent for $945,992 with a $47,300 contingency.

The corner along with the IOOF Hall played a major role in helping staff select from various planning forms that responded to Manteca’s request for proposals.

Each applicant that made the final round were asked for input on the property in question that was referenced as an “opportunity site.”
City Manager Toni Lundgren noted several months ago that it was a way Manteca could possibly avail itself of general ideas on how best to transform the property the city was acquiring without spending money on a consultant.

The Ascent team zeroed in on the vacant space as well an adjoining municipal parking lot as its main focus instead of the building per se.

Payne noted it afforded the city “a great opportunity” to create buy-in not just for downtown but before potentially more extensive investment is made on the corner lot.

She said by “activating the site” — basically putting it to use other than for parking — the city could create a “fun and family friendly space” that will help encourage community buy-in and gauge interest in a more elaborate transformation.

Payne repeatedly made it clear the vision Ascent has for the corner was just a suggestion.

What will ultimately be proposed for the corner and downtown as a whole — from traffic circulation, walkability improvements, development standards, and more – will be the result of robust outreach to secure input from the community, as well as downtown businesses and property owner.

What Ascent suggested is a two-step approach to the corner after the initial plan of the city to make it a temporary public parking lot while the downtown specific plan is being pieced together, adopted, and a project approved for the property by the City Council.
The first step is creating a public space with fencing and landscaping with no permanent structures.

It would allow the city to start year-round programming for events and activities to attract residents to downtown on a regular basis.

The space could accommodate a play zone, movie night, farmers market, roller rink, pop-up art, and seasonal endeavors such as a pumpkin patch or an expansion on the Santa Hut.

The long-term concept could include:
*A pavilion structure for small community space of a café and a shaded patio and seating at the corner.

*A food hall with indoor and outdoor spaces and a central open space that flows into the existing city-owned parking lot next to the Deaf Puppy Comedy Club by eliminating the northern end of the alley.

*The food hall and central plaza endeavored with a third level use for the roof of the IOOF Hall that could have a café with patio.

The transformation of the corner lot would be in addition to the city’s plan to partner with the private sector to rethink how the IOOF building can be used to create an entry point calling card for downtown by housing “meeting” and “gathering” places such as restaurants.

Councilman Charlie Halford noted what Ascent will be doing is the most complete approach to downtown he has seen in 40 years.

That approach also includes a blanket environmental impact study to reduce delays for private sector investments.

Morowit noted the fact the city is buying the IOOF Hall and adjoining property also puts its efforts to move downtown forward using Ascent’s expertise on much more solid ground.

“We’re not playing around,” Councilwoman Regina Lackey said of the significant commitment the city is making to help improve the downtown business climate and expanding it as a community gathering place.

Councilman Dave Breitenbucher sees developing a vibrant public space as a way to return downtown to what it was when he was growing up as the place where Manteca residents gathered.

Mayor Gary Singh was impressed at how focused Ascent appeared to be on what makes Manteca unique.

“We don’t have to be Lodi or Livermore,” Singh said in reference to what downtowns some want Manteca to emulate. “We can have a plan for Manteca.”

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com