The Hollister City Council, seated as the Hollister
Redevelopment Agency Board, approved the sale of the Fremont School
property to San Benito County for $1.37 million, setting the stage
for a likely construction there of the new San Benito County
Courthouse. The RDA’s scrutiny for potentially dangerous seismic
activity cleared the location for safe building and gives the site
apparently overwhelming momentum as the next location of the
courthouse.
THUMBS UP: Courthouse progress
The Hollister City Council, seated as the Hollister Redevelopment Agency Board, approved the sale of the Fremont School property to San Benito County for $1.37 million, setting the stage for a likely construction there of the new San Benito County Courthouse. The RDA’s scrutiny for potentially dangerous seismic activity cleared the location for safe building and gives the site apparently overwhelming momentum as the next location of the courthouse. This is good news for downtown Hollister and should keep a constant flow of foot traffic in its rightful place. If built there, it truly would be a victory for San Benito County and for leaders – both government and business – who stepped up and sent the message that the old Fremont School site is highly preferred over an alternative on Flynn Road far from downtown.
THUMBS UP: Lights On Celebration
This year’s Lights On Celebration and parade attracted a big crowd as usual and showed Hollister’s endless adoration for spirited events. Organizers deserve credit for putting together another great parade on San Benito Street, while local groups and businesses that took part – there were 49 parade entries – also deserve credit for making it a cheerful time for all in attendance.
THUMBS DOWN: Bypass construction
A contractor’s mishap along the new bypass route has delayed the long-awaited project’s completion until a current estimate of late February. It’s too bad. Graniterock-Pavex, under the guise of the Council of San Benito Governments, allowed cracks to form on a portion of the bypass shoulder and delayed the crucial road’s completion for thousands of anxious drivers while leaving local transportation officials working even longer on this project instead of getting more time to focus on others.
THUMBS UP: Moratorium lifted
It’s six years in the waiting, but Hollister leaders have left behind a long, painful chapter as the state water board Friday lifted a moratorium against new sewer connections. Nobody should expect a construction boom here anytime soon, but the largely expected decision erases a heavy burden and at least allows for potential and flexibility as officials plan for the future.
