Downtown Modesto, Modesto, California facts for kids
Downtown Modesto is the main central area and historic heart of Modesto, California. It's about one square mile in size. This area is surrounded by several streets: Needham and Downey Streets to the north, Washington Street to the west, and Sierra Drive, Morton Boulevard, and Burney Street to the south and east. About 3,138 people live here. Major roads like Highway 99, Highway 108, and Highway 132 pass through Downtown Modesto.
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A Look Back: Early History of Downtown Modesto
In 1870, when Modesto was first planned, its downtown area was designed with streets that ran parallel to the Southern Pacific railroad tracks. The main outer streets faced north, east, west, and south. However, the streets and alleys inside the downtown area were angled to match the railroad, running from northwest to southeast and northeast to southwest.
One of the first big homes built in Modesto was the McHenry Mansion. It was finished in 1883 for Robert McHenry and his wife, Matilda Hewitt McHenry. This beautiful house was designed in the Victorian-Italianate style by Jeremiah Robinson, an architect and builder from Stockton.
By the early 1900s, the streets in Modesto were paved with asphalt. This made travel much smoother!
In 2016, a new group was formed to help improve Downtown Modesto. Property owners voted to create this group, which helps fund projects to make the downtown area better. Since then, a lot of new things have happened. Downtown Modesto now has amazing murals and public art. There are also many community festivals, tours about architecture and food, and lots of restaurants and shops. The area has become easier to walk around and looks much nicer.
Downtown Modesto is also home to two places for live shows, two movie theaters, a children's museum, and other historic museums.
Making Downtown Modesto Better: Partnerships and Projects
The Modesto Downtown Improvement District (D.I.D.) and the Downtown Modesto Partnership (DOMO) work together. Their goal is to create a positive and lively atmosphere in Downtown Modesto. These groups have joined forces to lead most of the downtown projects, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Heidi Savage is currently leading both organizations.
What They Do: Missions and Initiatives
The main goal of D.I.D. and DOMO is to improve, promote, and protect the Downtown Modesto area. They focus on several important areas:
- Keeping it Clean and Beautiful: A special team works hard to keep the district clean. They remove graffiti and make sure streets and sidewalks look good. They also work with the Modesto Garden Club to take care of over 140 flower pots along H, I, J, and K Streets.
- Connecting with the Community: These groups work closely with downtown businesses. They help businesses speak with one voice on important issues. They also want to make sure everyone feels welcome to work, visit, or shop downtown all year long.
- Events and Promotions: They create new community events and products to bring more people downtown. Some examples include the RAD Card, Back Of House Food Tour, Pop-Up Fun Zones, Power Pilates on the Gallo Green, Bike Modesto, DoMo First Fridays, DoMo Walls, DoMo Hunt, and the Discover DoMo Pass.
- Improving Public Spaces: They work on projects like redeveloping streets. They also helped create an Open Air Dining Plan during COVID-19. They work with the City of Modesto to make traffic calmer and add more parking. They also created the Parklets Program and help create new public art.
DoMo Walls: An Outdoor Art Gallery
DOMO Walls is an international mural festival. It turns the streets of Downtown Modesto into a colorful, open-air art gallery. This festival brings together artists from Modesto and around the world. They create large murals that add color, culture, and artistic expression to the city. DOMO Walls celebrates the amazing artistic talent in the community and makes downtown look even better.
First Fridays: A Community Celebration
First Fridays started in 2018. It's a celebration of the region's culture, featuring music, dance, food, and handmade items. This event is a two-block street fair with downtown restaurants and bars as anchors. There are activities for all ages, including games, breakdancing classes, and a craft brew garden. In 2024, First Fridays events are planned for April 5, May 1, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, and October 4. First Fridays is a way for community members to bring positive energy, creativity, and culture to downtown.
Who's in Charge: The Teams Behind the Scenes
The work of D.I.D. and DOMO is led by a dedicated team and a Board of Directors.
- Administrative Team:
- Heidi Savage - Interim CEO
- Stephanie Foster - Director of District Identity
- Elizabeth Buenrostro - Systems Administrator / Program Manager
- Sara Lowry-Dominguez - Program Manager
- Board of Directors: This board is made up of people who have been part of the community for a long time. They also include owners of downtown businesses and organizations. They help guide the direction of the Downtown Improvement District and the Downtown Modesto Partnership.
Where People Live: Residential Area
The residential area in Downtown Modesto is located south of 5th Street and east of G Street. In this lively modern downtown, you can find many beautiful homes. These include Victorian, Italianate, Craftsman, and Mission style homes. They are mixed in with elegant businesses, creating a unique neighborhood.
