Construction begins on Merced’s downtown revitalization project

MERCED, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Due to Merced’s downtown revitalization project, drivers and businesses will face road closures and detours from now until early fall.

For the next two weeks, 16th Street from M to Canal Street will be closed. But the city says that the Saturday farmer’s market will not be affected. 

“We have started the Bob Hart Square renovation project,” said Jennifer Flachman, the City of Merced’s Spokesperson.

The project will expand Bob Hart Square to 16th Street, making room for an outdoor stage, more space for crowds, and additional seating.

“We’ve elected to put together a Brown Bag concert series, and we’re hoping to have Bob Hart Square be the kickoff to that concert series,” Flachman said.

And while the city says the wait will be worth it, the construction is already impacting businesses. From now until late August, Destino’s Restaurant patio will be closed.

“I think we’ve have a really good loyal regulars and so, like, they’re going to come no matter what. But also, you know, we advertise and we post like, hey, updates about the construction too,” said Javier Sanchez, server at Destino’s Restaurant.

Staff have added extra seating inside and are getting customers familiar with parking behind the restaurant for when phase two on Main Street kicks off.

“The one-way directional change will expand the length of the road, the one-way road, and add 45 parking spaces so it will enhance the downtown experience, provide more accessibility to visitors to the downtown area,” Flachman shared.

Starting mid-May, Main Street will close from M Street to K Street.

Further down the road, at the intersection of 16th Street and R, two red-light safety cameras will be installed. Flachman says the area sees a high volume of traffic violations and crashes. 

“The police department looked at that as a way to help people understand that everyone needs to obey traffic signals and traffic laws,” she said.

Offenders caught on camera will be subject to fines, but there is no word yet on when enforcement will start.

The city expects the entire revitalization project to wrap up as late as next fall.