Modesto Centre Plaza will survive another year, as city reverses decision
On Oct. 14, Modesto City Council reversed its decision to close Modesto Centre Plaza at the end of the year, agreeing to fund it until at least the end of 2026.
Centre Plaza was set to close as discussions about its future were underway. The event center was not taking any bookings past December and the city had not allocated any funding for it past this fiscal year.
The venue has held expos, conferences, concerts and events since it opened in 1988 — holding a nostalgic place among local hearts. But money and the site it’s on led the city to consider demolishing it.
On Aug. 5, the City Council decided on a downtown location as the site for a professional soccer stadium, which would be built at, and near, Centre Plaza. This would require the demolition of the venue, The Bee previously reported.
On top of that, keeping the lights on at Centre Plaza appears to cost taxpayers a lot of money.
“For the last 10 years, the Modesto Centre Plaza has been operating at approximately a ($1 million) deficit each year,” read the agenda report for the item city council members voted on. “Therefore, the City has had to subsidize the operations with General Fund dollars to address the operating deficit.”
But the DoubleTree Hotel, which is attached to Centre Plaza, recently negotiated to maintain funding for the event center under new terms. DoubleTree’s vested interest in Centre Plaza includes a catering contract with the city.
The contract ended in June 2024, but the city and DoubleTree have been on a month-to-month agreement since. The new agreement would fund Centre Plaza until Dec. 31, 2026, and then “on an interim basis until the facility permanently closes.”
This indicates construction of the soccer stadium would be delayed. City and United Soccer League officials hoped to begin construction in fall 2026 and have the stadium open in 2028.
Details regarding a new timeline of the stadium’s construction have not been released. But the new terms of the deal between Modesto and DoubleTree offer some insight into the future of Centre Plaza.
New terms of the DoubleTree deal with Modesto
Term: The term of the agreement shall last until Dec. 31, 2026. After this, the agreement will remain in effect until terminated by either party with 180-day prior notice.
Bookings: Beginning July 1, 2026, events can’t be booked more than 180 days in advance.
Repairs: The city will have no obligation to make any capital repairs or replacements. If damage occurs during the term that creates a threat to health or safety, the city may elect to repair the damage or terminate the agreement.
Maintenance: DoubleTree is responsible for all routine maintenance, including janitorial services. The city shall continue maintaining all landscaping and pest control for Centre Plaza and surrounding property.
Utilities: The city will pay for all utilities currently provided to the property.
Insurance: The city will maintain property insurance. DoubleTree will maintain liability insurance, workers’ compensation and insurance for its personal property.
Payment: DoubleTree will be responsible for all bookings of future events at Centre Plaza at its discretion. DoubleTree will pay the city 90% of all revenue associated with the room rental fees associated with the bookings. An existing deal that allows DoubleTree to keep most of the catering and concession fees will remain unchanged.
City Events: The city can hold 10 events per year at Centre Plaza without a charge or fee of any kind (except for catering, if used).
Security: The city will pay for 50% of security costs, up to a maximum of $5,000 per month for the length of the contract.
Rental Fees: DoubleTree will charge the city’s already existing rental fees. For bookings in 2027, the city will consider an increase to the amount charged for future bookings.
