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Lemoore council directs staff to pursue recreational concepts for city-owned 311 E Street after purchase
Summary
After completing the purchase of 311 E Street (former Manuel Lewis auto shop), council members directed staff to develop recreational concepts — such as pickleball or a futsal court — for the downtown parcel and return with designs and funding options. Some public speakers urged the council to protect downtown parking.
The City Council on Nov. 4 confirmed it has become the legal owner of 311 E Street (the former Manuel Lewis auto shop) and gave staff general direction to prepare redevelopment concepts focused on recreation.
Staff said the city had paid for the property and that the parcel sits in the East Street project area slated for streetscape improvements. "What I would like to do with 311 East Street is some additional recreation amenities, whether it be pickleball or a futsal court," a staff member told the council, adding the suggestion grew from community input gathered at National Night Out.
Council discussion raised alternatives including a food hall to support small businesses and the possibility of a public parking lot with EV chargers at nearby lots. Several council members said they preferred recreation on the city-owned parcel. One council member clarified that if the city used the lot for non-recreational commercial development it might require repayment of certain funding; staff said development impact fees could be used for recreation projects whereas a commercial conversion would likely be funded from the general fund and grants.
Public comment focused on parking consequences. "There's not enough parking to extend it out," said David Lambert, a downtown business owner, urging the council to consider parking impacts on nearby businesses. Another speaker, Jesus Garcia, said parking shortages have been a persistent problem for downtown businesses and asked the council not to discard parking entirely from planning.
Outcome: Staff recorded a general consensus from council to pursue recreation-focused concepts and will return with conceptual designs and funding options at a future meeting. No final decision or formal vote was taken Nov. 4.
