Turlock saw plenty of new development in 2021, from new coffee shops to additional housing. As the City’s Planning Division looks ahead to 2022, construction set to take place in the new year will provide a boost to the economy through more people and goods.
The community kicked off this year by welcoming a new building in the Turlock Town Center, which currently houses Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Impact Nutrition. Dutch Bros Coffee constructed and opened its second Turlock location in the center this year as well. Just across the roadway on the corner of North Golden State Boulevard and East Canal Drive, the city’s eighth standalone Starbucks was also constructed and opened in 2021.
The new developments on the south end of town in 2021 were a change from the usual north end development seen around Monte Vista Crossings in recent years — a result of new ownership in the Turlock Town Center which has revitalized the space and attracted plenty of new businesses.
“That new owner has really taken a proactive approach in trying to move tenants, find new tenants and really revitalize that center,” Deputy Director of Development Services and Planning Manager Katie Quintero said. “I think that really has spurred some development interest in that area.”
Several projects began development in 2021 and are expected to be completed by 2022, such as the new Amazon warehouse currently under construction on Fulkerth Road behind Dust Bowl Brewing Co., just off Highway 99. The new warehouse will serve as a fulfillment center and construction also includes road improvements. Once completed in 2022, it will span 1,080,308 square feet.
There are also 16 housing projects currently underway throughout town. In total, these housing and apartment complex developments will add 1,105 new dwelling units once completed. They include projects like a 348-unit apartment complex on Monte Vista Avenue, which has yet to begin construction, and subdivisions which are already being built and expected to be complete next year.
The new projects provide housing diversity required by Turlock's General Plan, and also allow the city to keep up with increased housing demands and mandates from the state. While residential development seems to be outpacing commercial development throughout town at the moment, Quintero said that more housing opportunities can in turn spur commercial interest in Turlock.
“As your rooftops increase, that also drives commercial development. For new commercial businesses to want to come to Turlock, we also have to show that we have the population in the buyer base to support them,” Quintero said. “It's pretty typical that you see some fluctuation…As you get more residential dwellings, you will see an increase in commercial interest.”
As for development to look forward to in 2022, the City’s third participant in the Cannabis Pilot Program, Natural Healing Center, is currently remodeling the former El Rosal restaurant on West Monte Vista Avenue and the dispensary should be opened soon. Texas Roadhouse is coming to town, and the former Hometown Buffet location is being knocked down to make room for the steakhouse.
The City’s planners have also received several applications to build RV and truck parking locations in town — something Quintero says is a result of boosted motorhome sales during the pandemic as well as increased truck routes for drivers, causing an increased demand for parking.
Additionally, owners of the Price Ford dealership in Turlock are expanding to the property next door where construction on a new Price Honda is set to begin in the spring. As for other vacant lots around town, only time will tell if they’ll see new development next year.
“It's really all just waiting for an application or for the property owners to come in with plans or interest to develop,” Quintero said.
For a full list of active planning projects in Turlock, as well as archived projects, visit https://www.cityofturlock.org/buildinginturlock/planninglandusepermitting/planningprojects/.
