City will spend $166,000 for upgrades to historical center
Gilroy – After months of anxiety by local preservationists, city leaders have scrapped proposals to sell or donate the historic Willey Cultural Center and will proceed with improvements to the building.
The city currently uses the 150-year-old Willey house, located at 140 Fifth Street, for government meetings and various small gatherings. A three-phase plan to restore and expand the home began in the mid-’90s, after a local nonprofit donated the building to the city. At the time, a number of local residents contributed labor, time and money to help restore the front patio and perform other improvements.
Ten years later, as the city was poised to spend $166,610 on the second round of upgrades, some council members questioned the value of investing additional money in the building.
They asked if installing a patio, raised stage area and other backyard improvements would lure enough weddings and other income earners to justify the expense.
On Monday night, council reviewed projections that the Willey House would, in fact, recoup the investment and generate long-term profits.
Community Services Director Susan Andrade based the projections on a study of 10 comparable venues in the area that also host conferences and events, including Eagle Ridge Golf Club, Fortino Winery, Gavilan College and Gilroy Elks Lodge.
“The one thing we found out is that they’re solidly booked from April to October. We’re talking Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, sometimes with two events in one day,” she said. “Each one of them hosted between 20 and 50 weddings and banquets. Additionally, they hosted 20 to more than 100 seminars or business meetings.”
Andrade predicted that an expanded Willey house, now only capable of accommodating indoor functions, could lure 80 bookings a year and at least double its annual revenue of $30,000. The city currently spends $26,000 a year to maintain the building.
Despite the projections, Councilman Craig Gartman insisted the city should donate the facility back to the Theater Angel Arts League in order to save funds for use elsewhere.
Councilman Peter Arellano disagreed, saying the city must live up to its end of a partnership formed to preserve the building.
“There are a lot of stakeholders in this and the citizens of Gilroy have already stepped forward in the past,” he said.
Mayor Al Pinheiro, originally one of the council members who questioned the merits of upgrading the Willey Center, said he changed his mind after touring the facility with city staff.
“Am I excited about having to spend $166,000? No,” he said. “But when you add everything from the day it was conceived, we owe it to (residents) to get it done. It’s going to be great for our downtown.”
Gartman was the sole dissenter in a 6-1 vote to award a $166,610 construction bid to Perma-Green Hydroseeding.
The Willey (pronounced “will-e”) Cultural Center borrows its name from Judge Howard Willey, one of the city’s earliest justices of the peace. The home was originally built in 1857 for James K. Rule, who worked as a pastor next door at the Gilroy Christian Church. Willey purchased the home from Rule’s daughter in 1893, adding bay windows and other improvements so his daughters could hold music recitals. The property changed hands several times over the years until the city purchased it in 1988.
In coming years, the city plans to ask residents for help financing the third and final phase of improvements for the Willey Center, as part of a long-term fundraising campaign. Officials hope to eventually install a garden shed, historic lights, a trellis and other features intended to improve the allure of the historic home as a venue for events.
How they Voted
The council made the following decisions at Monday night’s meeting. To view the minutes or a recording of the meeting, visit www.ci.gilroy.us
St. Mary Fee Break 7-0
To continue with the city’s existing development fee structure but to look for ways to free St. Mary Catholic School and similar groups from paying impact fees when development does not impose additional burden on city services or roads.
Al Pinheiro YES
Russ Valiquette YES
Craig Gartmen YES
Paul Correa YES
Roland Velasco YES
Dion Bracco YES
Peter Arrellano YES
Hecker Pass Widening 7-0
To study alternatives to current road widening plans for Hecker Pass HIghway, between Santa Teresa Boulevard and Uvas Creek Bridge.
Al Pinheiro YES
Russ Valiquette YES
Craig Gartmen YES
Paul Correa YES
Roland Velasco YES
Dion Bracco YES
Peter Arrellano YES
Uvas Creek Bridge 7-0
To relocate Uvas Creek bridge to the north, according to one of two plans proposed by state transportation officials.
Al Pinheiro YES
Russ Valiquette YES
Craig Gartmen YES
Paul Correa YES
Roland Velasco YES
Dion Bracco YES
Peter Arrellano YES
Willey Center Upgrades 6-1
To approve $166,610 bid for upgrades to historic Willey house.
Al Pinheiro YES
Russ Valiquette YES
Craig Gartmen NO
Paul Correa YES
Roland Velasco YES
Dion Bracco YES
Peter Arrellano YES
