Twelve years ago, the city established a policy to gradually
change downtown into a revitalized hub. That lofty ambition hasn’t
measured up, so current Hollister leaders have decided to
accelerate the process.
With the City Council’s approval this week to move forward on
its Downtown Beautification Project, Hollister will invest an
estimated $4.4 million into a more immediate face-lift of the
economically strapped district.
Twelve years ago, the city established a policy to gradually change downtown into a revitalized hub. That lofty ambition hasn’t measured up, so current Hollister leaders have decided to accelerate the process.
With the City Council’s approval this week to move forward on its Downtown Beautification Project, Hollister will invest an estimated $4.4 million into a more immediate face-lift of the economically strapped district.
Some of the Redevelopment Agency plans include replacement of sidewalks and crosswalks with decorative pavers, replacement of trees, new pedestrian lighting, more bike racks and new trash receptacles.
The work should start by Jan. 21, while officials hope it is finished before the July 4 weekend motorcycle rally. The changes, city officials hope, will ultimately lead to a bolstered local economy.
“All successful downtowns have some sort of streetscape program for improvements,” RDA Director Bill Avera said.
Since the project will be financed from the RDA Fund, which was recently beefed up after a $35 million bond issuance, it will have no effect on the ailing General Fund – the source for much of Hollister’s basic operations that has been drained by indebtedness for the past four years.
About $3.3 million was budgeted from the bond, while RDA reserves will pick up the remaining $1.1 million.
The project area encompasses San Benito Street from Third Street to Hawkins Street; Monterey Street from South Street to Third Street; and East Street from South Street to Third Street, according to Liz Kresky, director of the Hollister Downtown Association.
For decades, according to Councilman Tony LoBue, Hollister hasn’t tapped the potential success of its downtown.
“I think right now is a good time because, number one, we have the RDA dollars available to do it,” LoBue said.
In 1991, the RDA initially set a precedent through its “Hollister Downtown Strategy and Plan” to require that new private businesses install the brownish-red pavers and other improvements. In some cases it worked, such as upgraded sidewalks near the Klauer Building on Seventh and San Benito streets.
The policy, however, has resulted in only sporadic improvement.
“We’re just going to have to speed the process up and get it done,” Avera said.
Officials expect that two or three general contractors in the area have the resources to undertake the project, which will go out for bids in one week.
“I feel that the locals should have a crack at it,” Councilman Robert Scattini told Avera at Monday’s meeting.
With that, Avera said the RDA will advertise locally and in trade publications. Plus, he said, local companies will have opportunities to be sub-contracted under the general contractor.
The beautification project will also include special poles for banners dangling over San Benito Street, electrical receptacles for the bases of all trees and consolidated newspaper racks.
As far as the tree selection goes, officials have pegged two like-sized varieties – capitol pear trees and crape myrtle trees, the latter of which blossom a variety of colors. And the pedestrian lights will overhang the sidewalk in the shape of candy canes and glow a white hue.
“The idea,” said HDA President Jeff Welch, “is that the downtown will look better, feel better, be cleaner, be more beautiful and be more attractive to people coming downtown.”
