There’s progress inside
The old Fremont School property at Fourth and West streets looks
the way it has for most of a decade
– abandoned.
But there’s a lot going on inside the once-landmark school.
There’s progress inside
The old Fremont School property at Fourth and West streets looks the way it has for most of a decade – abandoned.
But there’s a lot going on inside the once-landmark school.
The property, owned by the city of Hollister but slated for a new county courthouse complex, is a product of its time. In short, it’s full of materials now deemed to be hazardous, things like lead-based paint and asbestos insulation. Specialists are now preparing those materials for removal, according to local courts administrator Gil Solorio.
“We think hazardous abatement should continue through mid-January,” Solorio said last week.
While it’s agreed San Benito County has outgrown its circa-1962 courthouse, the location for a new courts complex was until recently controversial. But after eyeing a site north of Hollister, the state Administrative Office of the Courts ordered a seismic survey and gave the go-ahead to the downtown site.
And, state budget shenanigans notwithstanding, San Benito County is still in good stead for a new courthouse.
“My understanding as of … last week when I spoke with the Administrative Office of the Courts, is that this project is continuing,” Solorio said. “This and other projects were funded out of the state courthouse construction fund. These funds are, of course, restricted, so we’re OK.”
Solorio warned, however, that the project is set to unfold in stages, and likely as not, some delays may be encountered.
In addition to new courtrooms, chambers and secured areas for handling prisoners and personnel, the new courts complex will bring another badly needed commodity to the downtown governmental center – parking.
“It’s my current expectation that there will be at least 100 parking spaces on the property,” Solorio said. That’s something county and courts employees can toot their horns over.
