Downtown Hollister needs a shot in the arm and the Hollister
Downtown Association is working to make sure that happens.
Downtown Hollister needs a shot in the arm and the Hollister Downtown Association is working to make sure that happens.
But making the historic downtown area a thriving commerce center that benefits all Hollister residents will require widespread community involvement.
The HDA recently selected Irvine-based RBF Consulting to prepare a new downtown strategy plan. According to the firm’s proposal, RBF Consulting has prepared downtown plans for a number of other California cities.
The strategy plan has many business owners excited about the future of the downtown area. Public officials and business owners have said downtown Hollister needs a plan to prepare for the opening of the Highway 25 bypass. By removing highway traffic from San Benito Street, the bypass should make our downtown more pedestrian-friendly.
An expertly designed strategy plan is just what downtown needs, but it comes with a $200,000 price tag. The HDA is hoping to get the local Redevelopment Agency to put up some of the money for the plan. But the organization is also counting on locals to contribute.
Most business and property owners know that there is a lot of truth in the old adage “You have to spend money to make money.” We sincerely hope Hollister’s downtown businesses and property owners understand that the future of the downtown area depends greatly on this type of planning and contribute enough money to make sure the HDA has the financial support it needs to make this venture a success.
There is tremendous opportunity in Hollister right now. The excitement can be felt throughout the community. The end of the sewer moratorium is on the horizon and Hollister is once again beginning to grow.
It would be great to see the downtown area keep pace with the changes in our community. It would be even better to see downtown business become the economic powerhouse it once was in our city.
In addition to money, an effective downtown strategy plan will require input from the entire community, not just downtown business and property owners.
As San Juan Oaks General Manager Scott Fuller told the Free Lance earlier this week: “San Juan Oaks and a healthy downtown go hand in hand.”
The same is true for many other businesses. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity and make historic downtown Hollister a vibrant economic and cultural hub for our community.
