Building Up Merced-

Several Construction Projects Underway Throughout the City

UC Merced Medical Education Building under construction. Photo: Steve Newvine.

Drive around in Merced and you may notice a building renaissance.  

Projects, including new construction, rehabilitation of existing structures, and revitalization of the City’s core, are in the pipeline, and many projects are anticipated to end this year.

UC Merced Medical Education Building

The Medical Education Building is the latest construction project on the UC Merced campus.  

When finished in the fall of 2026, the four-story building will house the school’s medical education pathway, which was established in 2023 in collaboration with two other UC schools (San Francisco and Fresno).  

Students are already in coursework that may lead to careers as doctors and other healthcare-related disciplines.

The Merced Mall expansion project has made considerable progress in recent months. Photo: Steve Newvine

Merced Mall

The community's most awaited construction project is the rejuvenation of the Merced Mall. After construction delays, a change in property owners, and the COVID-19 shutdowns from 2020, the project site is now very active with workers and equipment.

In this first phase of construction, new stores will open on the western side of the Mall footprint. Existing stores and shoppers have been waiting a long time, but that wait may soon be over.

Bob Hart Square is getting an upgrade above and below the ground. Photo: Steve Newvine

Bob Hart Square

In downtown Merced, the City is proud of the progress made on the Bob Hart Square project.  

Work on that site includes adding updated underground utility measures and creating a brighter, more open atmosphere above ground.  

This project was made possible by federal dollars matched by local resources.

Merced County Courthouse Museum

The much-talked-about rehabilitation of the Merced County Courthouse Museum building is at the center of all this activity.  

Scaffolding was put in place shortly after the beginning of the year.  

Phase one focuses on the front and sides of the structure and is expected to be complete later in the year.  

The Courthouse Museum marks the 150th anniversary of the building later this year.

The ground where the foundation for the St. Patrick’s Rectory building will be built. (Right) The front of the soon-to-be completed education building for Gateway Community Church. Photos: Steve Newvine

Saint Patrick’s Church Rectory and Gateway Community Church Education Buildings

At least two local churches have construction projects at different stages of development. Unlike government or commercial projects, churches depend on congregations to finance large construction projects.

St. Patrick’s Church on Yosemite Avenue hopes to begin construction on a rectory on the footprint of the Church property.  

A groundbreaking ceremony was celebrated in January, and some ground work has started.  

Any construction beyond that point will begin once enough money is raised.  

The rectory will complete the overall construction project's original intention, which started in the 1990s with the building of the church structure and was followed in the early 2000s by the building of a parish center for religious education and community events. 

Across the street, Gateway Community Church is nearing the end of an education building project on its property. The new building will complement the church's existing building, which includes offices and classrooms.

Meanwhile, projects continue to be worked on throughout the community, such as road repaving, sidewalks, and the ever-expanding buildout of housing ranging from apartment structures to new single-family homes.  

It’s been a busy couple of years for construction in Merced. A lot of building energy is being expended and that momentum is expected to continue for the coming years.-

Steve Newvine lives in Merced.

His California books are available at the Merced County Courthouse Museum gift shop and Bookish Modesto at the Roseburg Square Shopping Center, 811 W Roseburg Avenue in Modesto.

His latest book Jack & Johnny: Benny, Carson and a Friendship Made for Television, and all his releases, are available there as well or it can be ordered at Jack & Johnny (lulu.com)