Empty land that scheduled for development including medical offices and a hotel near the intersection of Yosemite Avenue and G Street in Merced, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020.
Andrew Kuhn
akuhn@mercedsun-star.com
That vacant swatch of land at the northeast corner of Yosemite Avenue and G Street is set to receive an extensive upgrade — and the property won’t be vacant for much longer.
Merced City Council this week unanimously approved plans for an expansive development with several types of uses at the site.
Called “Yosemite Crossing,” the 21.5-acre project includes two medical and dental office buildings, a hotel, multi-family residential housing and retail space.
“I’m really excited,” said Councilmember Delray Shelton, whose district is home to the project site. “Thanks for choosing Merced.”
“There’s a need, particularly in north Merced, for a variety of these services,” said developer Neil Angelillo of True North Properties.
Merced Principal Planner Michael Hren noted the project allows for growth alongside the adjacent Valley Children’s Hospital facility. The Site Plan Review Committee recently took action to approve the 44,250 square foot plan.
The sites of both projects boost the existing medical presence of the nearby Mercy Medical Center Merced and Dignity Health Medical Group locations, creating a sort of north Merced medical hub.
Merced’s doctor-to-patient ratio ranks nearly last in the state at about 77 physicians per 100,000 residents, according to the 2016 Community Health Assessment. Yosemite Crossing’s two medical-dental office buildings will add 66,465 square feet of medical care to Merced.
The multi-family residential buildings will add 44 units to Merced’s housing market, addressing the city’s shortage of housing.
At about 1 percent, Merced’s vacancy rate is notoriously low. Multi-family residential housing is especially in need, Merced Development Services Director Scott McBride said.
With employment opportunities at the office and retail spaces, the plan emphasizes walkability for Yosemite Crossing tenants. Other on-site features such as a gas station, bank, day care and fast food and family-style restaurants provide necessities for residents with many lifestyle types.
“Walkability is an important component to a lot of younger people trying to make due without cars,” Hren said.
Public transportation will connect tenants around town as well, Angelillo said.
Hren also noted opportunities for the site’s hotel on account of its proximity to Merced College. Plans for the 128-room hotel put it at four stories and around 80,104 square feet.
This adds to the growing number of hotels being built or updated in Merced, including the historic Tioga and El Capitan.
Some believe the revitalization of those local landmarks and plans for new ones adds to the idea that Merced is on the rise. Some also point to the long-vacant buildings in downtown Merced that are opening up shop and expansion of UC Merced.
A rendering of the Yosemite Crossing development at Yosemite Avenue and G Street. True North Properties
Other details
The project is still conceptual and does not yet have a cost estimate, nor an official start or finish date. Dirk Poeschel, a representative for the developers, estimated the project will break ground in about a year.
Specific businesses to fill the space have not yet been partnered with. Angelillo said now that the plan has been approved, marketing efforts will begin in earnest.
Construction is anticipated to begin with the retail buildings. The medical offices, hotel and day care are expected as part of the second phase of construction. The multi-family residential buildings will be the third and final developments.
The retail buildings will serve as a thematic design template for the rest of the development, according to the plan. Design details will not be finalized until the site plan review stage.
Hren said the architecture will have a “modern outdoor mall feel.” Wood or faux wood fascia, glass, metal and stone are listed as primary materials.
The project’s construction is expected to create a maximum of 13,160 more daily trips. Several mitigation steps are suggested to maintain the flow of traffic at an acceptable level.
“We’ve received nothing but positive comments, and that’s rally encouraging for us to process forward as fast as we can,” Angelillo said.
This story was originally published January 22, 2020 at 1:26 PM.
Abbie Lauten-Scrivner is a reporter for the Merced Sun-Star. She covers the City of Atwater and Merced County. Abbie has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Public Relations from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
