In a move expected to create jobs and stimulate the local
economy, Hollister Municipal Airport officials requested $43
million from the Federal Aviation Administration to be used for an
airport expansion, purchasing new land and building new taxiways
for planes.
Hollister – In a move expected to create jobs and stimulate the local economy, Hollister Municipal Airport officials requested $43 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to be used for an airport expansion, purchasing new land and building new taxiways for planes.
While Airport Manager Bill Gere realizes the dollar amount he’s requesting is somewhat unrealistic and doesn’t expect the FAA to approve funds for all the projects he has planned, he’s hoping Hollister receives between $5 million and $10 million to get started.
“There is no way that we’re going to get $43 million, but you can’t get it unless you ask first,” Gere said. “You have to play the game and ask for the moon.”
Gere turned in his request for funding to the FAA, which could not be reached for comment Tuesday, last week and is waiting to hear exactly how much money will be forthcoming. The money would be in the form of a grant and would be used for both new construction and maintenance, Gere said. If the FAA approves funding for some or all of the projects, then Gere will get started hiring an engineer to draw up plans for the construction.
Hollister Mayor Robert Scattini,
who is also a pilot, said federal dollars are badly needed to repair and maintain airport runways and facilities.
“It takes a lot of money to maintain an airport,” he said. “And this airport has gone many years without money from the feds.”
A large portion of the money, about $12.4 million, would be used to buy 200 acres of land adjacent to the airport for expansion, Gere said. Some of that land could eventually be used to build a new restaurant and hotel at the airport, Gere said. Other funds would be used to make runways longer to attract larger plans, relocate several hangers that had been built too close to the runway, install new lighting fixtures and perform routine runway and airport maintenance projects such as repaving, Gere said.
Although he’s not expecting the full $43 million, Gere said his top priorities will be building new taxiways, purchasing land and relocating certain buildings.
Gere said that many small business owners often store their planes in Hollister and then end up moving their businesses here. Gere anticipates that a larger airport would attract more planes and more businesses to Hollister.
“People are just waiting for us to build more hangers so they can move their businesses here,” Gere said.
More planes and more business could create new jobs and additional tax revenue for the city, Gere said. The city collects a 1 percent tax on the value of each plane stored at the airport – of which there are about 170 stored on a typical day. Thus, a $1 million jet would generate $10,000 in tax revenue, Gere said. That tax money would then be distributed equally between the city, the county and local schools, Gere said.
“(Expansion) will mean more jobs and more tax revenue,” he said. “It can help stimulate the economy, which is why I’m pushing to get this started.”
Although the FAA will only approve money for one project at a time, Gere hopes that with help from the Hollister City Council, the airport will be a radically different place in five years. The City Council will have to approve a resolution on each project before work can begin, but Gere said the council has been very supportive.
City Councilman Doug Emerson said he and many of the other council members share Gere’s vision for a larger airport.
“I think all of us are looking in that direction as a stimulus to local business,” he said. “I think what Bill is doing is good – he’s thinking ahead.”
Emerson said that the council will play an integral part in the expansion to make sure the interests of all resident and plane owners are considered.
Local pilot and airport hanger tenant Deane Judd said he hopes Gere and the City Council get more input from pilots before beginning work on new projects. Judd said Gere hasn’t been forthcoming with airport users about just what he is trying to do. But for Judd, the top priority is runway maintenance – which he believes is in dire need of federal funding simply for routine work.
“Maintenance is critical,” he said. “You don’t need to be dodging potholes while you’re landing a plane.”
While Gere said some residents are concerned about expansion, he doesn’t see it as being too much of a problem in the grand scheme of things.
“The biggest fear is noise,” he said. “But we’ve done several noise studies and it’s not going to be an issue.”
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
