Hollister officials are looking for help from the public on preferences for a plan to beautify the west side and they are asking survey questions in both English and Spanish.
The city posted a series of questions on SurveyMonkey.com regarding residents’ preferences for the project. The survey in English is located here: surveymonkey.com/s/ZZL8ZHZ. A version of the survey in Spanish is located here: surveymonkey.com/s/8JSJXXM
It is meant to gather input on the travel behaviors of bicyclists and pedestrians, according to the survey.
Hollister City Council members in March took steps to move ahead on the $4.2 million west side beautification project by approving an engineering contract amendment for the first phase.
Council members approved the $10,500 amendment with San Benito Engineering for preparation of plans and specifications, and agreed to set aside another $100,000 in proceeds from the city’s sale of land now used for Walgreens to help fund the first phase.
That first phase, which involves a roundabout a San Juan and Graf roads, would cost about $1.1 million, planning official Mary Paxton told council members in March. The city has just under $900,000 in former redevelopment agency funds left from a 2009 bond to use toward the project, so the $100,000 is meant to help fill the funding gap.
The West Gateway Streetscape Beautification Capital Improvement Project is a $4.2 million endeavor intended to reduce blight on the west side. Council members first approved an engineering contract on the project in February 2010, but the city has been held up by lacking funds to move ahead.
Overall, the plan is set to include work on sidewalks, lighting, bicycle lanes, the roundabout and other pedestrian improvements.