List of projects targets shopping, arts and housing
An ambitious laundry list of projects that could transform
downtown Hollister into a vibrant hub for shopping, the arts and
housing was unveiled last week.
List of projects targets shopping, arts and housing
An ambitious laundry list of projects that could transform downtown Hollister into a vibrant hub for shopping, the arts and housing was unveiled last week.
The draft document was prepared by Jeff Pyle, Hollister economic development manager.
Pyle, who arrived at City Hall just more than a year ago, developed the yet-to-be-named document over the last couple of months.
“I tried to show that I’m most interested in focusing on the next two to three years,” Pyle said. “It doesn’t mean that there aren’t projects that might take longer.”
Some of the projects are either under way, or a virtual certainty, but the document presents a vision and optimism over San Benito County’s historic core.
While the projects represent predominantly private sector efforts, Pyle said the city has a number of tools at its disposal.
The city’s sweeping redevelopment district, which covers the bulk of the area within Hollister, offers the potential of funds.
“We also have two different loan sources,” Pyle said. “The city’s community development block grant program has at least $500,000 for economic development and we have the San Benito County Revolving Fund … with at least $400,000 to $500,000 in that pot.”
Most support to businesses is likely to take the form of loans, in order to preserve capital for further improvements.
With a draft list of objectives, Pyle now is working to prepare a marketing plan for Hollister and environs. “What you don’t see here at all is targeting of industries,” he said. “Recruiting takes a lot of time and money and patience and to some extent, good luck.
The objective of listing project priorities is to start conversations and to build momentum.
“What I’m trying to do is make it real,” he said. “It would be nice to talk to half a dozen people to learn what their priorities are.”
Among the projects described are:
– The Honda Powerhouse dealership renovation. Already under way on San Felipe Road, the one-time bowling alley is a 20,000 square foot building is being completely rebuilt for the dealership.
– Guerra commercial/retail/housing development. A local family is applying to develop a 35.5-acre parcel just outside of the current city limits, located between Meridian Street and Hillcrest Road. Plans call for about 120 homes, commercial and retail development.
– Renovation of the Granada Theater for community stage productions. The oldest working movie theater in Hollister already is the scene of some community theater productions. Pyle is proposing a business action plan and feasibility study.
– Gibson commercial-retail center. The 18-acre parcel near Tres Pinos Road and the planned Highway 25 bypass would include some 200,000 square feet of leased space, primarily retail. Estimates place the number of jobs created at 300 to 350, with $40 million in gross sales.
– The Highway 25 bypass construction project. California Highway 25 links San Benito County to Highway 101 and Santa Clara County. The route now passes through the heart of downtown Hollister, occupying San Benito Street. The bypass will improve access to Santa Clara County and provide an alternate route for traffic by looping east of downtown. That gives Hollister back its main street, which will no longer be under Caltrans jurisdiction. Local control of the main drag opens opportunities for streetscape and commercial improvements.
– Potential for reuse of key cannery-warehouse blocks. While San Benito Foods has not announced plans to relocate, the blocks surrounding the tomato packing operation are viewed as attractive for mixed use development that would incorporate commercial and residential uses.
– New county courthouse downtown. The courthouse project is proposed for fiscal 2007-2008. The 40,000 square foot courthouse is estimated to cost $38.6 million and would free up the existing courthouse property for other office uses.
