Government leaders tapped major sponsors to defray the costs.

Standing in the middle is Davidson, who uses her role on the Downtown Steering Committee to keep the city aware of her colleagues’ wishes. She’s the retail community’s main voice among a couple lawyers, a mortgage broker and a public accountant. She recalls the days when all the business owners knew each other because the downtown association would hold picnics. Now, most businesses only know their direct neighbors and a certain spirit has been lost.

“(Re-forming the association) is one thing we absolutely need to move forward with,” she said. “You’ll give the people more confidence and they’ll have a closer relationship with the city.”

Through all these growing pains, Davidson remains confident in a bright future for downtown, especially with UC Merced enrolling more students every year and the continued enthusiasm shared by the next generation of downtown businesses owners.

“This town is going to be moving and shaking. It’s inevitable,” she said. “It’s just how long. Five years? Ten years? Fifteen years? Who knows?”

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