New stage, bigger plaza coming to Bob Hart Square in downtown Merced

Construction is transforming areas of downtown Merced with upgrades underway at Bob Hart Square and along West Main Street as part of a broad revitalization effort to improve the public spaces and infrastructure.

City of Merced Assistant Engineer Rom Robinson said Bob Hart Square is undergoing a renovation with upgrades including an extended plaza, seating areas, trees, and a stage.

Construction for the project, which began in March, involves eliminating the entrances to two parking lots off of Canal Street and the addition of driveways to those parking lots along 16th Street.

“You’re going to have concrete coming all the way up to the pavilion,” said Robinson. “You’re going to have seating, you’re going to have trees on the side. It’s going to be more of a hangout area than a parking area.”

The stage will be located near 16th Street where Canal Street drive was previously located.

City of Merced spokesperson Jennifer Flachman said current plans call for a series of three concerts sponsored by the Merced City Council and the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission, upon completion of the work. Flachman said a subcommittee will select the performers, with the first event expected in October to celebrate the renovated square’s reopening.

The project is expected to cost slightly more than $3.5 million, said Flachman, with about $2.15 covered by federal American Rescue Plan Act funds after additional allocations.

Tessa Williams, owner of Destino’s restaurant next to Bob Hart Square, said the ongoing construction has caused the restaurant to lose outdoor seating. In total, the restaurant lost three of the five outdoor seating tables with two moved inside. Williams said she has seen a slight decline in business, though she expects increased business due to downtown events, once construction is completed.

“I think when the construction first started, with people trying to figure out how to get to businesses downtown, that was the iffy part,” said Williams. “Now that people kind of know where to navigate, where to park, I think it’s helping.”

Seneca Lopez, 35, a barber who operates out of The Shop barbershop next to Bob Hart Square, said the ongoing construction and parking situation has hurt walk-in traffic.

“On average, we used to see 15 a week — minimum — Monday through Friday,” he said. “Now, we see 15 a month since the construction has been going on.”

Lopez said he does see a potential for increased foot traffic to the area and business. He said the work done to the square will likely result in more people enjoying the square as long as the city keeps it clean and family friendly.

As part of the infrastructure upgrades, workers have installed a new 16-inch water from the south side of 16th Street, beneath Bob Hart Square and West Main Street where it ties into an existing line.

Once hydrostatic and bacteriological testing is complete, crews will connect the line, resuming construction on the square and demolishing and replacing crosswalks at the intersection of West Main Street and Canal Street, said Robinson.

The renovation to Bob Hart Square is expected to be complete by Oct. 1.