Officials expect construction of courthouse to go ahead despite
budget woes
The demolition of the former Fremont School should be completed
by week’s end to make way for the future courthouse, while a local
official this week stressed that the state remains committed to
funding the $32 million project despite budget problems.
Officials expect construction of courthouse to go ahead despite budget woes
The demolition of the former Fremont School should be completed by week’s end to make way for the future courthouse, while a local official this week stressed that the state remains committed to funding the $32 million project despite budget problems.
A city-hired contractor this week has been tearing down the Fremont School building at Fourth and Monterey streets. The Hollister Redevlopment Agency is funding the $90,000 demolition.
RDA official Bill Avera explained that 50 percent of the material must be recycled as part of a diversion program, so workers started by taking out most of the lumber and other interior materials before removing walls.
“Once all of it is gone, they’ll rip up the foundation, go in and grade and make it somewhat level,” Avera said.
The building’s demolition aligns with the state’s move last year to reverse its prior decision – an agency had chosen a site near the county jail because seismic studies had to be done at the locally preferred Fremont School location – and move ahead with the project downtown.
The RDA followed up by paying for the seismic work and now the demolition, along with other costs related to such duties at the site as removing lead paint and other environmental monitoring. The city has done that work while state leaders have tried closing a $42 billion deficit, but a county courts official emphasized that as things stand, the funds still are slated for San Benito County.
“At this point in time,” said Gil Solorio, the court executive officer, “the project was approved in the fiscal year 2007-08 with state courthouse construction funds.
“Those funds are restricted in usage. Therefore, they are theoretically unavailable to the legislators to fix other fiscal problems.”
Solorio noted how the State Administrative Office of the Courts had been awaiting final approval from the state public works board and that a final decision is expected in the next few months.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2012, and Solorio estimated that construction would last about a year.
Courthouse timeline
March to June 2009
The State Public Works Board considers approval of the Fremont School site as the location of the new courthouse.
March 2009
The demolition of the Fremont School buildings is to be completed.
January 2009
The RDA considers certification of the EIR and considers awarding a contract for demolition.
January 2009
The hazardous abatement process at the Fremont School site is to be completed.
December 2008
The public comment period ended for the draft EIR on the demolition of the Fremont School buildings.
February 2008
State office first chooses a site near the jail before public outry helps reverse that call.
