Modesto is close to enacting downtown vision with housing, walkable spaces and more
Modesto’s downtown will have a lot more places to live, along with businesses and green spaces, under a plan endorsed by the city’s Planning Commission.
The commission voted unanimously Monday to recommend approval of the plan by the Modesto City Council. That could happen Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The 20-year plan was drafted by Opticos Design of Berkeley on a $210,000 contract with the city. The firm gathered ideas from the public starting in July 2019.
Construction of the homes and other elements would depend on developers providing funding and the city approving specific plans.
The 147-page document sets a direction that clearly is more urban than today’s city core, and more welcoming to people on foot and bicycle.
The plan covers the diagonal street grid laid out by the Central Pacific Railroad when it founded Modesto in 1870. The part of west Modesto close to Highway 99 is within this zone.
The plan notes that downtown already has strong office, restaurant and entertainment sectors. It urges dense housing to create a 24-hour presence and reduce the need for cars.
Potential at new rail depot, old courthouse
The key points of the plan:
- The main concentration of homes, 850 of them, could be close to the old train depot at Ninth and J streets that will serve a new branch of the Altamont Corridor Express to the Bay Area. The first train could run as soon as 2022.
- Another 398 homes could be built on Ninth and Tenth streets between D and F streets. Tenth could be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly route to the Tuolumne River. A new ballpark for the Modesto Nuts is suggested for 10th and F. The minor league baseball team has not announced any plan to move from John Thurman Field.
- The Stanislaus County Courthouse and adjacent jail could be replaced by 72 housing units. The jail no longer houses inmates. A new courthouse is expected to rise by 2023 at Ninth and H streets.
- West Modesto could get 40 housing units above ground-floor businesses. Two underused corners on H street are possibilities.
- Another 190 homes could be built at scattered downtown sites.
Upgrades for walkers, bicyclists
The plan calls for bicycle lanes, sidewalk widening and other upgrades for non-drivers. Downtown would better connect with the river and Dry Creek trails, and with the Virginia Corridor.
The draft suggests restoring two-way traffic on G, H, K, L and 17th streets to make them friendlier to non-drivers.
The parking section of the plan urges new garages where needed but also says current garages are underused because of free street parking.
The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11. The meeting will be live-streamed on the city website, www.modestogov.com. The public can submit comments by email before or during the meeting at ccmeetings@modestogov.com.
