Hollister council members Monday approved sending out a request for proposals to develop the grassy plot in the 400 block of San Benito Street, but insisted on having more time than the stated Dec. 31 goal for closing escrow due to the importance of the lot.
Council members approved the item 4-0, with Mayor Ignacio Velazquez recusing himself due to his ownership of The Vault building next to the lot in question.
Two developers had approached the city about trying to purchase the grassy plot on the 400 block of San Benito Street. A representative from one of the builders, Derek Del Curto, spoke during Monday’s council meeting and said his interests wanted the opportunity to propose something for the area. The Del Curtos are in the process of developing residential buildings on East Street and San Benito Street at the site of a former burnt-out structure.
In response to developer interest, the city council was considering Monday whether to put out a request for bids on potential “catalyst projects” for the public plot—formerly owned by the Hollister Redevelopment Agency before a forced transfer to the city with the dissolution of RDAs four years ago—at the intersection of Fourth and San Benito streets. Currently, as part of the state’s post-RDA restrictions, the city occupies the property and allows for public use such as activities by nonprofit groups.
A potential development use is unclear at this point. But in prior years, the RDA had been in negotiations with developers for a possible hotel; performing arts center; and mixed-use building with a restaurant, theater and office space, according to the council agenda report.
Development of the plot has been put on hold due to the city’s building moratorium from 2002 to 2008, after a major sewer-plant spill, and restrictions from the state in recent years due to the RDA dissolution, planning official Mary Paxton said. The RDA’s involvement with the property goes back to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which demolished much of that area in downtown Hollister.
As for a potential price, the grassy plot was appraised at $220,000 in 2013, according to city reports. Officials expected a more current appraisal Monday, and Councilman Ray Friend mentioned a $390,000 figure—to which he objected.
Friend was among council members expressing a desire for more time than a Dec. 31 goal in an agenda report for escrow closure.
Look back for more, including council discussion.
