Merced mayor highlights new development, businesses like Ulta, on city’s horizon
Merced Mayor Mike Murphy’s catchphrase since he took office three years ago has been “city on the rise.”
In his final State of the City address on Friday at the Merced Theatre, Murphy highlighted many of the positive changes coming Merced’s way – including new businesses like the national cosmetics chain Ulta Beauty and Fresno-based Tioga-Sequioa Brewing Company.
Murphy cited some of the biggest changes taking shape in downtown Merced: the renovations of the El Capitan Hotel, the Mainzer Theater and Hotel Tioga.
Murphy, who is in his final year of his second two-year stint as mayor, referred to each as “transformational projects for the city.”
Murphy also applauded the addition of Bitwise to downtown Merced.
Bitwise is expected to provide a tech-centered workspace for budding entrepreneurs and startup companies to accompany its education component, called Geekwise Academy.
“There are a lot of people using their talents today to make Merced a better place,” Murphy said. “Drive through downtown and you’ll see it all around you. You can find an event happening on most weekends thanks to our talented residents.”
The El Capitan Hotel is a 114-room project that’s seeing a refurbishing worth about $15 million to the 19th-century structure. The Mainzer Theater will feature a sit-down restaurant, stage, movie theater and four bowling lanes.
The 90-year old Hotel Tioga, which is a 73,670-square-foot apartment building at 1715 N St., will get new kitchens, countertops, light fixtures and flooring in its units.
Murphy also took time to announce that Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company, which is based out of Fresno, will have a tap room in the Hotel Tioga that is expected to open this summer.
“This will be a major addition to our downtown dining and entertainment lineup,” Murphy said.
Ulta Beauty slated to come
Murphy also highlighted the changes taking place at the Merced Mall.
One of the biggest will be the addition of Ulta Beauty. Murphy said the city had received a building permit application from Ulta Beauty to be a part of the renovation at the old Sears building.
Murphy did not have a date for when the story is expected to open.
Through its first three quarters of the 2019 fiscal year, Ulta reported national sales of almost $5.1 billion, and net income (profit) of just over $483 million. The company had 1,241 stores in operation as of the third-quarter close on Nov. 2, 2019.
“The Merced Mall is also planning for the future with a total revamping of the shopping center,” he said. “When it’s done there will be new entertainment and shopping experiences for us. already there are plans to bring a Burlington Coat Factory to the former Sears store along with a Five Below.”
Also coming to Merced soon is a Dutch Bros and a Rally’s fast food restaurant on Childs Avenue near Golden Valley High School.
Murphy also touted a new development recently passed by the City Council that will lead to the building of medical offices, a hotel, apartments, retail stores and restaurants on 21 acres located on the corner of Yosemite Avenue and G Street.
Traffic improvements
He took time to highlight the improvements made in the city for transportation, including the recent completion of Segment II and the groundbreaking for Segment III for the Campus Parkway Project.
The project is expected to improve traffic circulation between Highway 99 and growing neighborhoods and retail centers near north Merced and UC Merced.
“It’ll become an important commercial link and it’s part of the eventual loop route throughout the city,” Murphy said. “The section from Highway 140 to the freeway is done and ready for use, and if you’re traveling to or from Yosemite, you can’t miss the new overpass.”
Murphy also said there will be new businesses being built near the Campus Parkway Project.
“The Merced Gateway Center started putting in the infrastructure for the 77-acre travel oasis, lifestyle and town center they are building,” he said.
“It will also have an entertainment and multi-family component. Across the way, the Campus Parkway Plaza has plans for a five-story Hilton-branded hotel and conference center, two sit-down restaurants, two fast-food pads and a gas station.”
Murphy pointed out road projects being done on M Street, N Street and Yosemite Avenue. this past year. He said city workers were busy filling 38,140 potholes last year.
He said when residents report potholes through the Merced Connect App, the potholes are being filled within two business days.
“Not too many U.S. cities can say that,” Murphy said.
Dealing with housing, homeless
One of the biggest needs for Merced is more houses, according to Murphy. He said the vacancy rate in Merced is down to 1 percent.
“We need housing in all sizes and all price ranges,” he said. “This year we issued permits for nearly 700 homes. In addition, there are permits for over 550 apartment units that are in the works.”
Homelessness was a big part of Murhphy’s State of the City address in 2019 and continues to be an issue in Merced. Murphy said the city still is working hard to combat the issue by building housing and the city will soon have a low-barrier shelter to get more people off the street. Merced County is providing safety net services, too.
Murphy has worked with local judges to create a homeless court.
“Homeless court focuses on helping homeless residents with minor offenses that prevent them from reentering mainstream society and gaining employment,” Murphy said. “It allows them an opportunity to clean up their record with community service and get a fresh start.”
Murphy expressed his excitement for the future of Merced and his gratitude for his two terms as mayor.
“Being mayor for the past three years has been an honor of a lifetime,” he said. “Very few people in the world get the opportunity to be mayor for their hometown, a town I love so much.”
This story was originally published February 7, 2020 at 5:32 PM.
