Oakley’s vision for a vibrant, revitalized downtown continues to gain steam as the city council approved development agreements for two new restaurants.

The council unanimously approved a deal with Manuel’s Five Star Restaurant, Inc. to relocate Antioch’s Carpaccio’s Restaurant to 3070 Main St., and also agreed on a deal with Campestre Corporation to relocate popular taqueria La Costa just east of its current Main Street location in Oakley Plaza.

La Costa has been operating in downtown Oakley for more than 20 years. Its new facility, featuring indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate approximately 200 guests, is expected to be better than ever.

“The La Costa restaurant that exists on this site presently will continue to be open all the way through construction and would not close until such time as the new building is built,” said City Manager Bryan Montgomery. “We want to make that clear. The clientele at La Costa, almost everyone (city staff) in this room, should know that the restaurant will remain open.”

Montgomery also stressed that adequate parking will be available for La Costa’s customers during construction. Once the new restaurant is built and the La Costa staff has settled in at the new location, the old building will be torn down to make way for a public plaza, which will include a water feature. As part of the deal, the city will contribute a $111,000 grant for various onsite improvements and façade enhancements.

For the deal with Manuel’s Five Star Restaurant, Inc., the city will loan $1.2 million to the corporation, which is expected to pay back the city at a 5-percent interest rate during a 30-year period. The city will also offer a grant of $600,000 for onsite improvements and façade enhancements.

Carpaccio’s will move to a two-story, 5,500-square-foot “landmark” location, providing room for 277 guests, at the corner of Main Street and Vintage Parkway. The first floor will offer indoor and outdoor dining; the second floor a banquet hall.

Carpaccio’s has operated in Antioch for eight years, but owner Manuel Muñoz approached city staff several months ago about moving to Oakley into a larger, centrally located restaurant. In his staff report, Montgomery said Carpaccio’s will become a regional destination and an anchor for future downtown development.

Councilwoman Pat Anderson, who has dined at the Antioch Carpaccio’s, was enthusiastic about bringing the restaurant to Oakley, and said it was a good business deal for the city.

Councilman Randy Pope and his wife visited Carpaccio’s recently and were impressed by the experience. “It was a splendid evening and a fantastic dinner,” Pope said. “I look forward to breaking ground and the day we get to sit at a table in your new restaurant.”