The RDA on Monday was set to solicit development proposals for
the former Leatherback site located on the southeast corner of
Hillcrest Road and McCray Street with possible plans for a shopping
center and a Hispanic market, according to the Hollister
Redevelopment Agency meeting agenda.
HOLLISTER
The RDA on Monday was set to solicit development proposals for the former Leatherback site located on the southeast corner of Hillcrest Road and McCray Street with possible plans for a shopping center and a Hispanic market, according to the Hollister Redevelopment Agency meeting agenda.
The project site includes three separate parcels – one is less than half an acre at 26,136 square feet owned by the city and two total 6.46 acres owned by the RDA.
The development of the former Leatherback site has been a major goal of the RDA as identified in the current five-year implementation plan, according to the staff report. The site has been sitting vacant for three years, and the demolition work is near completion.
The project would include the development of up to 70,000 square feet of new shopping center facilities consisting of a combination of specialty store, grocery store and shopping uses.
Previously, the YMCA also has expressed interest in developing facilities on the southern portion of the site.
“The site is preferable to the former site under consideration at Ladd Lane,” said Scott Fuller, board chairman of the San Benito County YMCA. “We would ultimately like to build a 35,000 square foot ‘Y’ at this location.”
The development proposal before the RDA acknowledges the interest expressed by the YMCA over the past nine months to develop a major project, but only asks potential developers for 5,000 square feet of “tenant space” for a “community services organization.”
Primary interest in developing the site has come from a major Hispanic food chain, Mi Pueblo, which has more than a dozen operations in Northern California.
The RDA’s major goals in developing the site are to eliminate blight and increase sales and property tax revenue. Since most grocery sales are not subject to sales taxes, that portion of the potential impact is unclear – as is the relationship with the plans to revitalize the downtown area.
“The Hollister Downtown Association has not taken up the issue and has no position at this time,” said Jerry Muenzer, chairman of the association.
A potential, further issue of major commercial development in the area would be the potential traffic impact in the area where Hillcrest Road changes into South Street and to the west. South Street narrows as it approaches San Benito Street, and that intersection is often backed up during busy times.
A busy commercial facility would likely add to that traffic problem, but “the city has no plans to improve that intersection at this time,” said William Avera, director of development services.
MEETING PREVIEW
When: 6:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Hollister City Hall, 375 Fifth St.
