Cue up the lights.

There’s dancing in the streets.

What’s going on?

The Downtown Manteca Improvement Association’s five year mission is to boldly go where downtown has never gone before.

A little dramatic?

Perhaps.

But here’s the truth.

There is a big story that is going untold.

It is literally a five-year mission for the downtown association to do just that.

And along the way build on what is already right with downtown.

That’s right.

There is a lot right with downtown.

Don’t laugh.

Better yet, laugh.

You can do that at the Deaf Puppy.

Manteca is the only place between Fresno and Sacramento with a dedicated comedy club.

It’s on the same street as a wine bar, a deli/coffee hangout, a brew pub, a pair of social halls, and some of the most impressive murals in the valley.

A block over is Maple.

A couple of unique stores, a popular cafe with a sidewalk,  low-key mini plaza, and a soon-to-open ice cream and candy shop.

It is where there was a feast Saturday night under the lights strung up and down the 100 block of Maple Avenue.

It was the first ever Fork to Field feast in Manteca that was a benefit for United Way. And, yes, there was dancing in the streets.

Just like there is the third Thursday of each month for seven months each year.

It’s the same street where things like trunk or treat as well as a wine/beer stroll take place later this month.

And let’s keep this real. There are other good things about downtown from ethnic stores and markets, other solid dining spots, art gallery, a world-class events center, and now even a big chair.

Downtown is solid.

You can bank on it, literally.

There are six — count them — banks and financial institutions downtown.

A downtown of Manteca’s size in the valley being vibrant enough to have one or two banks, let along six, is a rarity.

Toss in five vibrant events/social halls and robust ethnic businesses with everything else and downtown has a solid foundation, strong bones, if you will.

The Downtown Manteca Improvement Association is planning to tell that story.

Set the record straight.

Take back the narrative.

No, it’s not to spin reality.

It is to showcase it.

Malcontents, yes, malcontents for years have been dumping on downtown like there was no tomorrow.

Why?

Good question.

Some think it should be like its 1959.

Others want Manteca to channel Pleasanton, Livermore, or Lodi.

Then there are those who could come across a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and complain that it is not platinum.

Enough about the narrative.

Let’s talk about what else the association is doing.

They are not just telling the truth about downtown.

They’re gearing up an honest-to-goodness marketing campaign complete with a website that tells the world what is downtown.

They are also adding things to enhance what is already there.

A security guard to address residue loitering.

Yes, we are talking about the homeless.

Let’s talk about the homeless.

The city has done a Herculean job at toning down the problem.

But here’s the truth. The city can’t get rid of the problem, no one can.

That said, if you take the long view instead of looking no further than your nose, Manteca has made solid progress with the homeless.

Better than most cites.

And they have reduced the issue with homeless downtown significantly.

Moving on, they are adding touches of color with flowers coming to existing planted beds long along with hanging baskets on street light poles.

They are also staging reasons to go downtown, including events such as this month’s wine and bar stroll. Information and tickets can be accessed on the organization’s website at downtownmanteca.com

And that, we are told, is just the start.

By the way, that five year thing is real.

The association was formed when way more than a majority of the property owners voted to be together in a bid to change the course of downtown Manteca.

Actually, it’s more like taking it to the next level.

The agreement was to assess themselves for five years to fund downtown improvements beyond what the city does.

If things work well, the day will come five years from now when the property owners will be asked if they want to extend the assessment.

Manteca can’t afford the association to fail.

The city needs a strong core to keep the community feel as Manteca hits the 100,000 population count and keeps growing.

A thriving downtown that is a vibrant gathering place is just as important to a strong Manteca as is a robust economy, solid schools, strong youth organizations, and a blend of vibrant cultures working to strengthen the community.

Should they fail in their mission, it won’t be the end of downtown.

But it won’t mean downtown’s impending demise.

It just means that downtown’s ultimate potential may be a long time coming or else may never get there.

Don’t misunderstand.

It doesn’t mean downtown will go downhill.

So why should you care?

Why not keep slamming downtown?

It’s easy and fun to tear down things, right?

But here’s the rub.

If you live in Manteca, you have a stake in downtown’s success.

Trash it all you want.

But if you do, you’re trashing the place you live.

There is a reason why dogs don’t do the you-know-what where they sleep.

It’s common sense.

Just like rooting for Manteca to get to the next level.

So start spreading the news.

Downtown Manteca is the place to be.

And you ain’t seen nothing yet.

This column is the opinion of editor, Dennis Wyatt, and does not necessarily represent the opinions of The Bulletin or 209 Multimedia. He can be reached at dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com