According to the Merced Sun Star, the downtown area of Merced, located in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California, is changing and business leaders are excited about what’s to come.

Residents predict Merced’s entertainment district will soon see a significant uptick in business, foot traffic, and real estate value. Part of the anticipated improvement comes from UC Merced, which plans to open a $45 million Downtown Center fo 370 employees in January.

In addition, the former Starbucks on Main Street will become Asip Coffee Roasters, and At the Pier for Aces will be replaced with Kings Cheesesteaks. The El Capitan Hotel and Mainzer Theater are getting multimillion-dollar facelifts. Construction will also move forward on the Partisan, which was shuttered for renovations in 2015. 

Investors are considering apartment buildings and mom-and-pop restaurants, as well, to bring even more people to the entertainment district. The new and improved downtown area will fit right in with the planned high-speed rail stop.

With a population around 85,000, Merced isn’t ever going to catch up with nearby Fresno or Bakersfield, but it has the chance to make a name for itself and give more people reason to put down roots here.