Fire Chief Fred Cheshire, seen in this file photo, noted how the downtown fire station has space issues and structural deficiencies that need fixing. Part of an RDA bond up for consideration would go toward the project.
In the next few years, Hollister's downtown fire station would be replaced using $5 million from a Redevelopment Agency bond - if council members approve its issuance - due to space concerns and structural deficiencies.
"We're looking into the future and having to provide for more personnel," Hollister Fire Chief Fred Cheshire said.
The topic of replacing the station came up during last week's special Hollister Redevelopment Agency meeting. The idea had been "somewhat of a priority in the past," Cheshire said, adding that more than a year ago, the RDA interviewed architects to design the new station.
The cost of the project is unknown at the current time, but RDA Projects Manager Chow said the agency has budgeted $5 million for the project.
"Whether or not the cost of that project will be $5 million, we don't know," he said. "We are going to allocate $5 million for that project."
Replacement of the station has been in discussions for "over six years," according to Chow, but the main concern on the project was having adequate funds available.
In order to get the funding for the new station, the agency needs to have the bond approved by the RDA board. Once that is complete, the bond will be passed to the city's underwriters who will then submit the bond to investors, according to RDA Community Services Director Bill Avera. The bond will not cause any increases in taxes, he said.
"All the RDA revenue that we get, basically, is property tax that has been re-allocated to the RDA," Avera said. "A majority of it goes to the state. It's basically a portion of the property tax that is re-allocated to the City of Hollister."
He added that bonds are usually issued for a 20-year repayment period.
The need for the project has increased through the years because Hollister Fire Station No. 1 actually was not constructed as a fire station, Cheshire said, but it has "been sufficient over the years with upkeep."
"We've had the roof replaced and an outdoor area enclosed," he said.
Another reason for the reconstruction of the station, the chief said, is that the space inside is inadequate for its purpose, which Cheshire described as a "conflict of space." For example, the living area for firefighters is "adequate," but the administrative area "is too small."
Along with the space issues being of concern, there are also structural deficiencies in the building. Cheshire said there is a spot in the kitchen where light can be seen during the summertime and during winter, and that rain comes through the same spot.
The roof is another area of concern. Even after having the roof replaced, spots are continually being patched to prevent leaks.
"Last year, we had rain pooling in the light covers of light fixtures," Cheshire said, "(which is) a little bit unusual."
The bond issuance that will fund the fire station and other street work has not been submitted to the city council, sitting as the RDA board, for approval yet but it will at the June 22 RDA meeting.
"(The board) is going to hear it," Avera said. "All indications say we are going to move forward with it."
Chow also said the agency is working on the finances for the station and it will be a few months before establishing the full cost of the reconstruction.
Cheshire did not know what it will cost but did note that there will have to be some consideration for hazardous material removal.
"With the lead-based paints and asbestos - I have no clue of how much of that is in this building - there is probably going to be a set amount for the project for hazard mitigation."
As of right now, Cheshire said he doesn't know how long the process of acquiring the bond, design and construction would take but estimated it will take "at least a couple of years."
"I don't know what the timeline is for that," he said. "We're not going to be looking at a finished product for at least a couple of years."
Colin McConville Colin McConville is a reporter with the Hollister Free Lance. You can reach him by email or at (831) 637-5566.
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