Blueprint for a successful downtown
Any blueprint for a successful downtown will require a
cooperative partnership between the City Council, the Board of
Supervisors, the Redevelopment Agency, Gavilan College, the State
of California, the Federal Government, and private investors. While
any combination of the above will need to participate, the
following suggested blueprint will illustrate the critical nature
of how to revitalize a city. These recommendations are not based on
opinion but common practices across this nation.
Blueprint for a successful downtown
Any blueprint for a successful downtown will require a cooperative partnership between the City Council, the Board of Supervisors, the Redevelopment Agency, Gavilan College, the State of California, the Federal Government, and private investors. While any combination of the above will need to participate, the following suggested blueprint will illustrate the critical nature of how to revitalize a city. These recommendations are not based on opinion but common practices across this nation.
The California Department of Employment, now located on San Felipe Road, should be moved to the core of the city. Space is available and such a move would bring more activity to the city and numerous pedestrians who need the services.
A One-Stop Permit Center should also be housed within the city center. This center should accommodate the City and County Planning Departments, the Health Department, the Environmental Department and any associated agency. Shared facilities and resources would be a more efficient use of our limited taxes. Over 125 jobs would be transferred downtown.
But more importantly, a larger magnet for progress is needed. This is where Gavilan College could play a major role in the revitalization of the downtown. For example: the City of Hollister could dedicate the 400 block on Fourth Street and San Benito for construction of a three-story building, the bottom floor for appropriate retail and two floors for classrooms. Over 57,000 square feet of construction is possible. A private investor could build the first floor and the second and third floor could be financed through Redevelopment funds, State Of California, Federal TARP funds and a multi-year lease with the college. The bottom floor retail could include a much-desired bookstore to serve the public and the college and additional retail. Since the great majority of the students are over the age of 25, such a stimulus of pedestrians, bringing hundreds if not thousands to downtown on a daily basis, would serve as a catalyst to encourage investment and new businesses.
However, Gavilan College is busting at the seams and needs classroom space now. Temporary portables could be located on the empty lot on the corner of Fourth and Monterey until the new building is completed. A program similar to that offered to Gilroy high school students and administered by Gavilan College designed to provide these students with the opportunity to bank college credit could also be housed in the new building. This would provide some equity to high school students in San Benito County. Additionally our local public transportation would be enhanced, walking and bicycles would become a norm in our city. The three E’s: Economic Sustainability, Environment, and Equity would be the principles of progress here in our community.
A broader and more focused plan is needed to stimulate economic activity. We offer these ideas, which have been shared with many individuals in this community and well received to encourage planning.
Many ideas should be solicited from the general public and primary stake holders. For example: one individual suggested the college buy or lease space at the Clock Tower Center, now practically empty and for sale or lease just three blocks from downtown,. Not a bad idea.
But, unless private monies, government, and other entities collaborate and pool their resources, we will continue to deprive ourselves of a better quality of life and only continue to burden the taxpayers.
The Hollister Independent New Urban Research Group
Tony Ruiz, Christine Breen, Gordon Machado, Scott Fuller
