The city’s financial situation with the Veterans Memorial Building is so dire, Hollister officials have talked of possibly closing the historic facility, said the commander of the local American Legion chapter involved in discussions to potentially manage it.
Joe Love, commander of the county’s American Legion chapter, responded to recent stories published in the Free Lance regarding the city’s talks with local veterans groups to have them take over management of the building. He emphasized that under the veterans organizations – the legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars – there would be benefits such as having more leverage in gaining grant funds and having the capacity to use volunteers.
Love mentioned that during recent talks involving city officials and veterans representatives, Hollister leaders discussed the prospect of closing the building. City Manager Clint Quilter, who has headed up those talks for Hollister, could not be reached immediately on the topic.
“The city was talking about closing the building, and we can’t let them close the building,” said Love, a former facility manager himself.
Quilter in November obtained official permission from council members to continue those discussions with the veterans groups toward a prospective agreement. Since reopening the building in 2003 following about $4.4 million in renovations, the city has generally operated it with a deficit – around $75,000 annually in recent years with total revenue at about $150,000. Ownership of the building constructed in 1927 transferred from the county to the city in December 2000.
It is home for all major veterans events and appointments with the veterans service officers. Additionally, it functions on weekends as a rented hall for many weddings, quinceañeras and other events. Hollister’s recreation division has handled bookings since the major renovation was finished.
In light of criticism of the building’s management and maintenance, along with the annual deficit absorbed by the city’s general fund, Quilter has been in those discussions with county veterans groups about the organizations managing the building.
“That building has been neglected since it was built,” Love said.
Love pointed out that a city-hired maintenance man currently makes about $85,000 per year and that locals would do the same work as volunteers.
“We’re taking all that income, all that expense, away from the city,” he said.
Love stressed that local veterans want to ensure, though, that the funds raised by the building stay with the building. Under county ownership, that wasn’t the case, he said.
He said the groups would consider adjusting the relatively inexpensive rental rates that serve as the building’s revenue source.
“Once we have the building, we’re going to do a survey,” he said. “If it needs to be adjusted, then we’re going to adjust it.”
He also said they are interested in working with the chamber of commerce and Hollister Downtown Association to find creative ways to keep expenses down and involve local businesses.
“We’re all anxious to get started,” he said. “We have a lot of good ideas.”
