The core of San Benito Street in downtown Hollister is set for a holiday season makeover—with plans to change the street layout from four lanes to two lanes—but some businesses are upset about the timing of planned work in the middle of the busy shopping season.
Hollister council members in February approved going forward on a design for the changeover, an offshoot of a broader “downtown corridor study” and meant to slow traffic in the merchant district. It is set to cost about $100,000 that is coming from State Transportation Improvement Funds, said David Rubcic, Hollister’s interim engineering manager.
Officials are progressing on plans to reduce the downtown’s four lanes to two between Third and Hawkins streets while installing turn pockets at intersections that don’t already have them. Business and city interests had considered other ideas such as a concept—introduced by consultant TJKM in the corridor study—which would have involved diagonally backing vehicles into parking spots.
It is moving forward now because hired consultant TJKM recently submitted the layout design, and the city last week hosted a workshop for residents or businesses wanting information on the project before requesting construction bids.
There was some backlash, particularly regarding timing of planned work that could occur in late November or early December in the heart of shopping season. Delaying the work further, though, means the city would risk having to deal head on with the rainy season generally lasting until April or so.
“They had numerous opportunities to get this done prior to rainy season starting,” said Bill Mifsud, owner of Bill’s Bullpen comic and card shop at Fourth and East streets.
Mifsud said he was among the business owners at last week’s workshop. He said the city had all summer to do the work but waited for events such as the farmers market, biker rally and street festival—all Hollister Downtown Association-run activities.
“Now that all the parties are over, now they want to do this,” Mifsud said. “Now comes our season.”
As for specific timing, Rubcic said the council would consider calling for contractor bids Nov. 2 and could consider an award at a special meeting Nov. 23. If the council awards a bid then, it could take about five to 10 days for the project to start, Rubcic said.
Thanksgiving this year, viewed as the start of the holiday shopping season, is Nov. 26. That means the work would probably happen right at some point after the Lights On Celebration, another HDA event intended to draw patrons to the merchant district.
Rubcic estimated the work could take just one or two days, although Mifsud said he heard three to four days and was skeptical a contractor could accomplish it in that time frame.
Rubcic said there are likely two options for a contractor—close the whole street for one day and do all the work, or close each side of the street on consecutive days allowing for restricted traffic. He said the work involves putting down a slurry seal and installing thermoplastic striping.
Rubcic pointed out that the council could theoretically put off the work when they meet in November.
He said the project is scheduled to happen in shopping season because that’s just when the design happened to come forward.
“We’re under the direction to get it done as soon as possible,” Rubcic said regarding the council’s February decision.
