Historic Merced Theatre

The Redevelopment Agency is actively working to restore the historic Merced Theatre. The first phase of rehabilitation included a complete restoration of the 10 residential units and 6 retail Main Street storefronts. Construction has already been completed for both uses and all residential lease units have been filled.  The Redevelopment Agency is seeking tenants for the newly restored commercial spaces.  The Merced Theatre Foundation raised funds and completed phase II which included the restoration of the iconic tower.  The third phase is being spearheaded by the Merced Theatre Foundation as well.  Funds are currently being raised for the complete restoration of the theatre's interior with the intent of revealing the theatre's original grandeur.  Upon its completion, the landmark will provide the community a superb venue for artistic events and community gatherings.

The City and Agency are currently finalizing a new and market tax credit deal.  Plans for the rehabilitation of the building are 100% complete and bidding for the project is expected to begin in August 2010.  A brisk construction schedule could have the Merced Theatre open some time in Summer 2011.

If you would like to contribute to this effort by "Buying a Brick" or "Taking a Seat", please visit the Merced Theatre Foundation website.

 Merced Center Site 

As the largest project the Redevelopment Agency has ever developed, the Merced Center includes a three deck parking structure with 10,000 square feet of retail space, a five-story business class hotel and a new two story Merced College Business Resource Center. The parking structure and Merced College Business Resource Center have already been completed.  Bounded by 18th Street, M Street, 19th Street and N Street, this development will be a crowning achievement in the redevelopment of downtown.  Currently, the Merced College Business Resource Center and West America Bank have taken up space at the Merced Center block.  The Agency continues to market the additional 5,000 square feet of space to office and retail tenants.

The City is receiving $3.1 million in federal stimulus funds for public improvements to the City owned right of way.  A majority of the funding will be spent on the resurfacing of 16th Street from "V" Street to "G" Street.  These federal stimulus funds will also be combined with City and Agency funds to complete road reconstruction, sidewalk repairs and streetlight upgrades on 18^th, N, M and G Streets in the Downtown and Midtown area. These areas will generally see features similar to the City Center Main Street and Merced Center public improvements including brick walkways, Sternberg streetlights and a leveling of the roadway to remove the existing high crown.  These improvements will greatly benefit the commercial districts and residential neighborhoods that make up the City Center and Midtown districts.  Plans for the projects have been developed and the City is awaiting its allotment of stimulus funding to begin the construction process.  Expected start date for construction is August 2010. 


                   Portion of 18th Street in need of repair

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Wayfinding Signage Program

The Wayfinding Comprehensive Signage Program was a community led effort to install visitor oriented signage along major arterial and collector streets within the City.  In total, 63 signs were installed in varying locations.  The signs direct visitors to our City's major points of interest including but not limited to the California Welcome Center, Merced Regional Airport, Downtown, Merced College, University of California Merced, Merced Hospital, Applegate Park & Zoo and the Merced Mall.  The purpose of the signs was to give the City a more tourist friendly appearance.  Similar signs have been installed in such cities and college towns as Sacramento, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. 



Approximately 17 signs are being installed in June 2010.  Further projects are in development including downtown parking and pedestrian oriented signage. 

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Midtown District Revitalization

The 2007 Downtown Strategy states that the Agency should make efforts to rehabilitate, reconstruct and reviatlize the Midtown District, generally located between W. 18th Street to W. 27th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way to G Street.  The Agency has taken many steps in the right direction to purchase and demolish structures that have been a blighting influence on the historically senstive district.  In addition, the Agency has worked with property owners in Midtown to offer Residential Facade Improvement Grants to substantially rehabilitate older structures that are in need of maintenance.  More information on the grant program can be found here: Residential Facde Improvement Grant Program. 

The goal of Agency reinvestment in this district is to create a residential community that has historical charecter and a unique walkable urban ambiance.  New construction of single and multi family housing are currently being designed for the corner of 18th & I Streets that will be historically sensitive while also urban in charecter and design.  Pending available funding, the Agency is also in the process of conceptually designing public improvements to the district including signage, rehabilitated sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and angle parking at some locations.