Merced City Council asked to move retail project forward
Merced City Council members will consider two agreements Monday related to a large project along Campus Parkway, which has been identified as the council’s top priority.
The project, called Merced Gateway, would include a number of restaurants, retail stores and other buildings at the northeast and northwest corners of Campus Parkway and Coffee Street. The regular meeting of the council is 7 p.m. at City Hall, 678 W. 18th St.
The council will be asked to approve the hiring of Irvine-based FCS International Inc. for the preparation of an environmental document at the cost of $125,500. At the same time, the council will be asked to approve the reimbursement of $138,050 to Merced Gateway Development Partners LLC, based in Sonora.
Developing the retail center just off of Highway 99 has been part of the council’s plan to bolster economic activity for a few years. The plan has included working with two property owners to prepare a “conceptual development plan” for the 77 acres and coordinating the environmental review process.
The council has agreed to make the center its top priority, because Campus Parkway is expected to be an increasingly busy roadway as UC Merced continues to grow. That means the center also has the potential to bring hundreds of jobs to town if it is completely built out.
Though the project is still in its early stages, some of the businesses connected to the plans include Bass Pro Shop, Tractor Supply, Holiday Inn Suites and an Arco gas station, according to city records.
The plans show space for more than 20 other retail stores and restaurants, as well as a fire station. There are also parcels for housing.
Area leaders intend for Campus Parkway to eventually connect UC Merced to Highway 99, as well as connect to the Atwater-Merced Expressway.
Also planned during Monday’s meeting is an update on the local plans for a high-speed rail station, another project area leaders expect to bear jobs in Merced.
City Council meetings are streamed live on the Internet; a link to the meeting and past videos is at www.cityofmerced.org. The meeting is also shown live on Comcast’s government Channel 96.
IF YOU GO
- The Merced City Council’s regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 678 W. 18th St.
- A study session is also set for 5 p.m. Monday in the Sam Pipes Room at City Hall.
This story was originally published August 16, 2015 at 8:42 AM with the headline "Merced City Council asked to move retail project forward."