San Benito County supervisors gave staff the go-ahead to solicit
bids for a person or firm that will be charged with overseeing the
process of turning the former Southside Convalescent Hospital into
a
”
one stop
”
facility that will house the county’s permitting agencies.
Hollister – San Benito County supervisors gave staff the go-ahead to solicit bids for a person or firm that will be charged with overseeing the process of turning the former Southside Convalescent Hospital into a “one stop” facility that will house the county’s permitting agencies.
When the idea of turning the vacant hospital building on Southside Road into a one-stop permit center was brought before the Board of Supervisors in November, supervisors were enthusiastic. Such a facility, they say, will benefit county staff and private individuals because all permitting agencies will be under one roof rather than scattered throughout the county as they are now.
During their Tuesday meeting, supervisors pushed the one-stop center forward when they voted unanimously to hire a project manager who will oversee the project from the design stage all the way through to completion. The county will advertise that it is looking for a project manager in local newspapers next month. Proposals from prospective project managers will be due May 3, and the contract will be awarded May 23. During the board’s meeting Tuesday, county management analyst Margie Riopel estimated that a project manager for the one-stop will cost between $20,000 and $30,000.
After the remodel, which the county estimates will cost between $800,000 and $1 million, the former hospital will become the new location for the county’s Planning and Building, Public Works, Engineering, Integrated Waste, Environmental Health departments as well as the Council of Governments. It would also have room for representatives from the county fire department and water district.
Developers agree that a one-stop permit center would make things easier for everyone involved in the building process.
David Wade, a land planner who represents a group of landowners who want to build more than 1,000 homes on county land near Hillcrest and Sunnyslope roads, said it’s always good when the various county agencies involved in the permit process are on the same page.
“I think it does help,” he said. “Coordination and communication is an important part of the process. Anything that can be done to help that is a good idea.”
County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson told the board Tuesday that more information about how much the remodel will cost and where the funds will come from will be forthcoming. If the board continues to move forward with the project, it could be finished late this year, according to a county report.
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
