Agenda Item # 14.3 - Gilroy BPAC | Received 01/16/2024January 15,2023
Re:Public Comment Item 14.3.CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Property:
City-Owned 536 Acres at Hecker Pass (Including Gilroy Gardens Theme Park),3050 Hecker Pass
Highway,Gilroy,CA Negotiators:Jimmy Forbis,City Administrator;Victoria Valencia,Economic
Development Manager Other Parties to Negotiations:Paul Nakamoto,Bay.Org (DBA Aquarium of
the Bay/Bay Ecotarium);Chris Sutton,Select Contracts;Nicholas Singer,Purchase Capital;Under
Negotiations:Price and terms of payment for sale or lease.
Gilroy City Council,
We want to carry forward the voices of over 300 residents,visitors,and organizations that have taken the
time to provide support for the Select Contracts Hillside Adventure Park proposal to both the City Council
and since the dissolved Bicycle Pedestrian Commission.There are letters of support from Santa Clara
County Parks,Gilroy Chamber of Commerce,Gilroy Economic Development Corporation,Garlic City
BMX,Bike Therapy,and South County Composite Mountain Bike Team.Bay Area Ridge Trail,Mountain
Bikers of Santa Cruz,Silicon Valley Mountain Bikers,and Trailhead Cyclery all spoke in support during
public comment at the Gilroy Bicycle Pedestrian Commission September 2019 meeting and subsequent
Gilroy City Council meetings.
Select Contracts proposal for an Adventure Park in Gilroy will be a positive project in the region for people
that bike,hike,and enjoy the outdoors.It will provide a benefit to our local community and attract tourism
to the city.“The inclusion of a full-scale lift accessed downhill bike park within a day-trip of the Bay area
and weekend trip distance for much of the central California coastline is totally unique and compelling as
its own offering,”said Select Contracts in their proposal.The park would be an amazing resource for local
high school mountain bike teams,mountain bike enthusiasts,new riders,hikers,and those who enjoy
emerging trends in recreation.There is not another project like this in the region.We are actively
embracing,advancing ideas,and projects that promote the concept of free-range people in the City of
Gilroy.We advocate for building and planning that considers future generations as well as current
residents who don’t own cars.Advancing mobility options reflects what we are teaching the youth in our
community through Safe Routes to School and why we are nationally recognized as a Bicycle Friendly
Community from the League of American Bicyclists,as well as recognized by the World Health
Organization as an Age-Friendly Community.
Sincerely,
Gilroy Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Gilroy BPAC)
GilroyBPAC@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/GilroyBPAC
We are a community group actively embracing,advancing ideas,and projects that promote the concept of
free-range people in Gilroy.We support building projects that are energy resilient and promote the
reduction of greenhouse gasses (GHG).We are seeking your input whether you are a BMX rider,trail
runner,recreational bike rider,MTB rider,walker,and hiker!#GilroyBPAC
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