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Downtown Modesto is the principal administrative area and historic townsite of Modesto, California. Measuring a square mile, it is bordered by Needham and Downey Streets to the north, Washington Street to the west, Sierra Drive and Morton Boulevard to the south, and Morton Boulevard and Burney Street to the east. The area has an approximate population of 3,138, [1] and is bisected by California State Routes 99, 108, and 132.
Early history
In 1870, when the location for Modesto was chosen, it was a square-mile townsite with streets parallel to the Southern Pacific railroad. The townsite's outer streets were aligned from north, east, west, and south, and its interior streets and alleyways were aligned with the railroad, which ran diagonally. They ran from northwest and southeast, and northeast and southwest.
One of the first grand homes to be built on the site was the McHenry Mansion, built in 1883 for Robert McHenry and his wife Matilda Hewitt McHenry. It was styled in the Victorian-Italianate manner and was designed and built by Stockton architect-contractor Jeremiah Robinson.
By the dawn of the 1900s, early Modesto's streets were paved with asphalt.
In 2016, a new non-profit, property-based assessment district was formed by a vote of a weighted majority of property owners to provide long-term funding for revitalization efforts that would benefit the downtown community, its businesses, properties, and future development of downtown Modesto. Since then, reinvestment has increased and downtown has become more vibrant with an array of world-class murals and public art, community festivals, architecture and food tours, scores of restaurants and retailers, improved walkability, and urban beautification.
Downtown Modesto is home to two performing arts theaters, two movie theaters, a children's museum, and historic museums.
Downtown Modesto Improvement and Partnership
The Modesto Downtown Improvement District (D.I.D.) and the Downtown Modesto Partnership (DOMO) work collaboratively to foster a positive and vibrant atmosphere in downtown Modesto. Under the leadership of Interim CEO & Executive Director Heidi Savage, these organizations have merged efforts to lead most downtown projects, especially since the onset of COVID-19.
Mission and Initiatives The combined mission of D.I.D. and DOMO is to enhance, promote, and preserve the downtown Modesto area. Their initiatives focus on several key areas:
Cleanliness and Beautification: A dedicated team maintains the cleanliness of the district, removes graffiti, and improves the appearance of streets and sidewalks. The downtown flower pot beautification project, in partnership with the Modesto Garden Club, maintains over 140 pots along H, I, J, and K Streets. Community Engagement: The organizations work closely with the downtown business community to provide a united front on issues affecting the area and are committed to creating a welcoming atmosphere for work, visits, or shopping year-round.
Events and Promotions: New community events and products are created to drive traffic to the district, including 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. Public Space Improvements: Efforts include redeveloping streets, co-developing an Open Air Dining Plan in response to COVID-19, working with the City of Modesto on traffic calming solutions and added parking, creating the Parklets Program, and commissioning new public art.
Mural Walls: DOMO Walls is an international mural festival that transforms the streets of downtown Modesto into a vibrant, open-air gallery. The festival brings together local and international artists to create large-scale murals, adding color, culture, and artistic expression to the urban landscape. DOMO Walls aims to celebrate the diverse artistic talent of the community while enhancing the visual appeal of the downtown area.
First Fridays: First Fridays began in 2018 as a celebration of the region's culture, featuring music, dance, food, and handmade goods. The event is a two-block street fair anchored by downtown restaurants and bars, with activities for all ages, including games, breakdancing classes, and a craft brew garden. The 2024 season includes events on April 5, May 1, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, and October 4. First Fridays serves as an umbrella for community members to activate space with positivity, creativity, and culture, from pop-up dance workshops to international graffiti art mural festivals.
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 The Board of Directors consists of long-time community members and proprietors of downtown businesses and organizations:
D.I.D. Executive Officers: Paul Adams – December 2026 Maria Apodaca – January 2026 Julie Betts-Albert – December 2026 David Boring – January 2026 Sarah Aaronson – December 2026 Amanda Heitlinger – January 2026 Esparanza Vargas – December 2026
DOMO Executive Officers: Barrett Lipomi, Chair - RED INC Architects Kathryn Davis, Vice President - Valley First Credit Union Erin Doran, Treasurer - Doran Industries: The Century, Nine3One, Rosé Bouquet, The Farmacy Charles Doll, Secretary - Omega Pacific Insurance Solutions
DOMO Board Members: David Boring - Never Boring Design Ann Endsley - Greens on Tenth Blake Humble - Churchkey, Commonwealth David Darmstandler - Datapath Sue Zwahlen - Mayor, City of Modesto Blaine Cox - Damrell Nelson Schrimp Pallios & Silva
Residential Area
The residential area is south of 5th Street and east of G Street. Many Victorian, Italianate, Craftsman, and Mission style homes are proudly mixed with elegant commerces in this lively modern downtown.
References
- ^ Downtown (Downtown Modesto) neighborhood in Modesto, California. "City-Data.com". Retrieved 3 January 2012.