May 8--A city plan to spend almost $1 million on streetscape improvements downtown is drawing mixed reviews from businesses in the area.

The City Council recently approved a $979,274 contract with Lockwood Engineering to spruce up eight blocks between Main and 19th street and M and N Streets.

The project will include smoothing cracked sidewalks, installing faux antique streetlights, planting new trees and adding brick sections to sidewalks. The plan will also create 20 new on-street parking spots at N and 19th streets.

Business owners say the new lighting will be welcome, but they'd like to see other, more security-oriented changes downtown.

The project is meant to link the new Merced Center development across from the Civic Center to the rest of downtown, said Redevelopment Agency Development Coordinator Daniel Ainslie.

The Merced Center includes a new parking garage and Merced College's Business Resource Center. The centerpiece of the development will be a business-class eco-friendly hotel, but construction has been delayed by the discovery of contaminated soil and a subsequent environmental cleanup.

When it's finally built, the hotel will host conferences for up to 150 people, said Ainslie. Streetscape improvements on the blocks surrounding the hotel will provide visual cues -- such as lighted trees -- meant to lead hotel guests to other downtown amenities, said Ainslie.

"It will make downtown more walkable and integrate that development with the rest of downtown," said Ainslie.

Robert Cruz, manager of the Citibank branch at 18th and M, said he welcomes improved lighting and other changes -- as long as the city doesn't tear out the mature trees that shade the Citibank building. (Some trees will have to go to make way for parking spots, but not the ones in front of Citibank, said Ainslie.)

"It's important to add some color and re-beautify downtown," said Cruz. "People shop where they feel comfortable. If you have a nice atmosphere, people will be more inclined to come downtown."

Across M Street and one block north, MERCO Credit Union president and CEO Michael Malone agreed that brighter lighting downtown is a good idea. But he wondered whether public money wouldn't be better spent on improvements that would make downtown visitors feel more comfortable.

"It's great to do something aesthetically pleasing; however, I think the primary concern to draw people downtown is safety and cleanliness," said Malone. Aggressive panhandling by homeless people and dirty sidewalks are deterrents to a vibrant downtown, said Malone. Power-washing grungy sidewalks, installing video cameras to track crime or adding more police on bikes are the type of improvements that could help draw more visitors, he suggested.

Russ Rodenbucher, manager of Big Bubba's Bad to the Bone BBQ at 18th and M, applauded plans for improved lighting, but said adding more police patrols at night would go even further toward making downtown more family-friendly.

Nazareth Diaz, owner of Diaz Ink custom print shop, said he'd rather see the city put money toward more street parking because customers regularly complain to him about the lack of spaces. He'd also like the city to work on attracting night clubs and businesses that would bring customers downtown on weekends.

"Trees? I don't think we need trees," said Diaz. "There's plenty of trees. What we need is entertainment and more activities."

Reporter Leslie Albrecht can be reached at (209) 385-2484 or lalbrecht@mercedsun-star.com.

-----

To see more of the Merced Sun-Star or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.mercedsunstar.com.

Copyright (c) 2008, Merced Sun-Star, Calif.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. NYSE:C,