Transportation agency finally OKs new Modesto offices. Here’s why two members dissented
The Stanislaus Council of Governments has finally secured a new headquarters, after discord over the initial choice in April.
The board of the transportation planning agency voted 9-2 on Wednesday night for the move. It will pay about $4 million to purchase and remodel the Mechanics Bank branch at 1407 I St. in Modesto. StanCOG has leased much smaller space at 1111 I St. since 2009.
The dissents came from Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen and Oakdale City Councilwoman Kayleigh Gilbert. Both cited the cost.
There was no mention of architectural history, an issue that helped scuttle the first choice. The staff had proposed buying the former World Savings building at 833 Tenth St., a favorite among fans of the Modernist style. It has a two-story glass facade and a staircase up to a mezzanine. It was eyed for a steakhouse that never panned out and is now leased by the Dazz Event Center .
gency handles road, transit funding in Stanislaus
StanCOG oversees road and transit funding from local, state and federal sources. The board includes all five Stanislaus County supervisors and one to three council members from the cities. Eleven of the 16 members took part in Wednesday's vote.
StanCOG has a lease through June 2026 for its current space. It has 20 workspaces and a cramped boardroom across 1,600 square feet. The agency has annual costs of about $130,000 for rent and $54,000 for utilities, maintenance, insurance and off-site employee parking.
The current office is on the third floor of a building that also houses the Fox Pub and a few other businesses.
The agency will pay $2.7 million for the Mechanics Bank building and an estimated $1.3 million for remodeling. The latter will include a boardroom, staff workspaces, fire sprinklers, ceiling insulation, wiring, flooring, painting and restrooms. The Mechanics Bank property will provide 9,420 square feet inside and also has a 25-space parking lot.
Mechanics Bank's lease runs through 2025. A spokesperson for the business, based in the East Bay city of Walnut Creek, could not be reached for comment about the branch's future. Mechanics also has locations in Turlock and Newman .
The Mechanics Bank building is also Modernist but has only one story. It was erected in 1974 for Safeco Title Insurance Co., replacing a 1910 structure that housed First Presbyterian Church.
First option had $6.6 million cost
StanCOG had planned to spend about $6.6 million to buy and remodel 833 Tenth , with staff offices filling out the mezzanine. Critics objected to the cost and also said the building is better-suited to dining or entertainment.
Supporters of the Mechanics Bank move included county supervisors Vito Chiesa and Buck Condit and city representatives David Wright of Modesto, Richard O'Brien of Riverbank, Charles Goeken of Waterford, Alan McFadon of Hughson, Pam Franco of Turlock, Casey Graham of Newman and Carlos Roque of Patterson.
Supervisor Terry Withrow recused himself from the vote because he owns property close to the Mechanics Bank. Ceres Mayor Javier Lopez did not attend but sent a written statement in support of the move. Also absent were supervisors Channce Condit and Mani Grewal and Modesto Councilwoman Rosa Escutia-Braaten.
