Modesto community weighs in on redevelopment of old courthouse, including possible market

The city of Modesto is taking public input on how to redevelop the block that soon will be vacated by the Stanislaus County Courthouse.

A workshop is being held Tuesday evening at Greens on Tenth, where residents can weigh in on concepts for the property bounded by 11th, 12th, H and I streets. The block includes the current courthouse, the Hall of Records and the county's former jail.

City officials say the site is a rare chance to redevelop an entire square downtown block.

"How many times are we gonna have an opportunity to redevelop a whole square block of downtown Modesto?" Councilmember Chris Ricci said. "It's kind of a generational opportunity."

Ideas surfaced during a January workshop included apartments, ground-floor shops, an open-air public market and preservation of the Hall