Council OKs agreement for new shopping center

Hollister City Council OK’d a contract with the Hollister Farms commercial development project coming to the Highway 25 bypass, and it was a significant step toward fruition of the new shopping center.
Council members approved an agreement with the developers in a 4-0 vote at Monday’s meeting. The only significant question mark during the discussion was access on McCray Street up until the opening of the businesses there. As part of the agreement, Gibbs Drive will be extended to Prospect Avenue to accommodate the development.
That same day, work had already started to the property in preparation for the development. It is located south of Gibbs Drive, between Prospect Avenue/McCray Street, and the Highway 25 Bypass.
Councilman Karson Klauer at the meeting wanted to make sure when McCray Street access shuts down at that area of the bypass, the parking lots would open up.
“Our intent is not to close access on McCray Street until needed for purposes of the development,” said Jeff DeVoe, who oversees the Hawkins Companies overseeing the project.
As part of the agreement, the developer and the city established various development obligations, rights, and conditions related to the project through a contract.
Public improvements for the project must be completed by April 2021, according to the contract.