A majority of Hollister Redevelopment Agency board members are
in favor of loaning up to $1.5 million in RDA funds to remodel the
former Good Times Bowl
– the first step in turning the vacant bowling alley into a
Honda PowerHouse store and family restaurant, creating about 23 new
jobs.
Hollister – A majority of Hollister Redevelopment Agency board members are in favor of loaning up to $1.5 million in RDA funds to remodel the former Good Times Bowl – the first step in turning the vacant bowling alley into a Honda PowerHouse store and family restaurant, creating about 23 new jobs.
On Monday, the RDA board, which is comprised of city council members, will vote on whether to send the Honda Corporation a letter stating that they are prepared to make the loan to Dave Galtman and Marty and Mike Greenwood, who bought the bowling alley on San Felipe Road last year with plans of turning it into a motorcycle dealership.
Development Services Director Bill Avera said that the PowerHouse store, which, excluding automobiles, would sell most everything that Honda makes, would be a definite economic benefit for the city because it would attract people to Hollister, increase tax revenue and create jobs.
RDA Boardmember Monica Johnson said it might even get more well-known companies interested in Hollister as a place to do business.
“Having a big name in town, potentially other names will come,” she said. “If a project comes up, you move on it.”
While the letter would not commit the city to loaning the money, it would give the Honda Corporation confidence in Galtman’s and the Greenwoods’ ability to secure money to remodel the building, which the company would require before approving the PowerHouse franchise, according to Avera, who also runs the RDA.
“This is just part of the first step in getting all the parties to come together,” he said, adding that $1.5 million is the maximum that the RDA might loan, but he expects any actual loan to be substantially less.
“They’re just guesstimates at this point,” he said.
The PowerHouse store would sell Honda motorcycles, watercraft and tools and include a service center. In all it would create 23 new jobs, according to the RDA.
If board members approve the letter of intent Monday, RDA staff will draft a loan agreement, which would likely be ready by the end of the year. If all goes well with that, Galtman said he and his partners hope to start remodeling the bowling alley within the next four months to get it ready for business. Included in the plans, according to Galtman, will be an area in the building set aside for a family restaurant.
“We’re just hoping everything goes smoothly,” he said, adding that he thinks many people would stop at the store as they drive through the city on their way to Hollister Hills.
RDA board members are excited about the possibility of a PowerHouse store opening in Hollister. They say that it fits right in with efforts to further Hollister’s economic development.
“To get (a PowerHouse store) in our area will draw people into the community,” Boardmember Brad Pike said. “It’s going to help improve the entrance into Hollister from Highway 25.”
Johnson said she supported potentially loaning the money to remodel the building for the same reasons as Pike. Also, she said, it will create jobs and possibly attract more businesses into the city.
Doug Emerson, who sits on the board, agreed with his colleagues. Because there is only one other PowerHouse store in California, he said a location in Hollister would attract people from a wide radius.
Luke Roney covers local government and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at
lr****@fr***********.com
.
