A proposal is under consideration to build a
”
Hollister Jet Center
”
at the airport that could add millions of dollars to local tax
roles.
Former Hollister resident Bill Gere recently proposed the
building, which would be larger than any other hangars at the
airport. Its projected dimensions are 170 feet wide, 120 feet deep
and 36 feet tall, he said.
A proposal is under consideration to build a “Hollister Jet Center” at the airport that could add millions of dollars to local tax roles.
Former Hollister resident Bill Gere recently proposed the building, which would be larger than any other hangars at the airport. Its projected dimensions are 170 feet wide, 120 feet deep and 36 feet tall, he said.
It would be equipped to station and fuel mid-sized personal jets – small in comparison to commercial airliners, but large next to the current local stock.
Property taxes and other fees charged to such aircraft owners, along with added jobs created by the facility, could boost the local economy, according to Gere and officials.
“It would be really beneficial to the city,” said Hollister Airport Manager Allen Ritter.
Gere, who flies a corporate jet out of San Jose and currently lives in Monterey, said he felt confident he could attract jet owners.
His hangar, or landing area, would be able to lodge five Gulfstream or Challenger jets, he said.
“This is a proposal that’s like – here’s cash money,” Gere said. “It’s a sweet deal.”
He proposed the jet center to the Airport Advisory Commission at its most recent meeting. The Commission, according to its chairman Gordon Machado, supports the plan. He appointed a subcommittee of two other commissioners to discuss a potential plan with city officials.
“There is no objection,” Machado said of the commission. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm.”
According to Gere’s outline, it would add revenues to local jurisdictions from personal annual property taxes on the value of the jets, lease payments and fuel taxes.
He estimated an additional income of $1.3 million – $518,000 of which would go to the ailing city coffers. Tax revenues would also be gained by the county and school districts from the property taxes, he said.
He also projected his business would create 34 local jobs – including pilots, mechanics and salespersons – at an average salary of $73,000 a year.
“It’s more than a business proposal,” Gere said. “It’s more of an economic development proposal.”
This is the first time a hangar of this magnitude has been proposed at the airport, according to City Councilman Robert Scattini, who spent 19 years on the airport commission.
“I think he’s got some outstanding views we should check into,” Scattini said.
The subcommittee and senior city officials would have to determine some type of lease agreement, Gere said, and whether sewer hookups would be needed. If they would be, the project would have to wait until the building moratorium expires in late 2005.
Otherwise, Machado said an optimistic completion goal is one year. Realistically, though, something could be finished within two years, he said.
