A group of local developers are proposing to use the former
Leatherback site near downtown Hollister to build Gavilan College’s
temporary classroom space, a new YMCA and commercial units.
A group of local developers are proposing to use the former Leatherback site near downtown Hollister to build Gavilan College’s temporary classroom space, a new YMCA and commercial units.
Developers Jim Gibson and Hank So, represented by Marcus Building Systems, have expressed an intention to formally respond to a City of Hollister Redevelopment Agency request for proposals for the site at Hillcrest Road and McCray Street.
They presented the idea to the Gavilan College Board of Trustees at its meeting earlier this month, while they are expecting a written response from President Steven Kinsella this week, according to Don Marcus, owner of Marcus Building Systems.
City RDA officials are planning to send out a request for proposals to potentially interested developers, but they haven’t done so yet as had been planned for the end of January. They are seeking ideas to develop a shopping center and YMCA at the site and have been in talks with interested parties over the past year – while the Leatherback property has been vacant for about three years since the RDA bought it for $4 million.
The city is requesting development of the northern section and partial development of the YMCA facility’s southern site, both areas being about three acres. As of last month, there also had been interest expressed toward a potential RFP from a Hispanic grocer named Mi Pueblo Food Center.
Marcus’ team of developers are proposing in an initial design to emulate the look of the proposed Gavilan Coyote Creek Campus and to include 20,000 square feet of classrooms, labs and administration facilities, according to Marcus. It then would include about 20,000 square feet of additional retail and commercial space and/or room to expand the campus, he said. That proposal also includes construction of the first phase to the YMCA project, he noted.
Marcus did also say it is only a “starting point in design” and the builders expect to explore other potential ideas as well.
The goal of the project is to “enhance the former Leatherback site, provide unique architectural character to the property, expand the commercial corridor adjacent to Downtown Hollister and stimulate economic development activities in the City of Hollister,” according to a summary provided by Marcus.
One possible roadblock in their way, however, is the state’s poor financial situation.
Gavilan College still plans to build a permanent campus at the corner of Fairview Road and Airline Highway, but it could be many years away with the state’s finances.
For the full story, see the Pinnacle on Friday.
