By all means, the preservation of historic architecture in
Hollister is important. However, the city has no business lending
$1 million to contractor Tim Lantz for his planned renovations of
the Pendergrass Building on Fifth and San Benito streets until a
detailed blueprint is developed.
By all means, the preservation of historic architecture in Hollister is important. For instance, the recently parleyed historic preservation committee is a fabulous idea, as is the efforts to update a historic walking tour.
However, the city has no business lending $1 million to contractor Tim Lantz for his planned renovations of the Pendergrass Building on Fifth and San Benito streets – until a detailed blueprint is developed.
The issue will come up for discussion at the April 14 City Council meeting, a talk which has been delayed because Brian Conroy, who has missed recent meetings because of conflicts regarding his full-time employment, wants to take part in the debate.
The Redevelopment Agency has proposed the city lend the money to refurbish the building, which was built in 1927.
Lantz has said he will recruit commercial tenants for the first and second floors. He not only ends discussions of his intentions with that, but also has not conveyed any plans for the top two floors – which have been vacant for more than 20 years.
Lantz, who has won awards for his preservation of several smaller buildings to their historic origins, has justified the loan by simply saying, “My work has proven itself.”
To Lantz, restoring buildings is a hobby, at which he has proven to be quite good. But this building is not a toy for one man’s pleasure. Furthermore, handing out $1 million, during the toughest budget crisis in recent years, is not financially sound.
Would the Council approve allocation of $1 million, or even $10,000, for a Public Works Department project if a detailed plan did not exist?
RDA funding, much of which comes from the state, can be used for specific types of projects – such as housing issues, highway improvements and beautification of downtown. That same $1 million, for instance, would go a long way toward establishing a much-needed homeless shelter in San Benito County.
Additionally, no commitment has been made to upgrade the electrical system, fire safety and seismic retrofitting of the building, which is exempt of such codes because of its historic nature. Rhode Island’s disastrous fire at a nightclub in February is not the only reminder of these dangers. A house fire in Hollister last week was also caused by code violations.
Moreover, why can’t the same loan be obtained from a bank? Would a respected financial institution even consider this proposal, or one half its size, without a thorough plan?
There are just too many unanswered questions involved. Ask yourself this one question: Would a majority of people in Hollister vote “yes” on this $1 million loan?
