Laserfiche WebLink
and covered with whiten comments. No one was sure what to do and hov~i. <br /> This begins Downtown Halo's visioning story. It is a story about everyday people who came <br /> together to shape the6 community's future. They ~~rere called upon to suspend their 21st Century <br /> cyniasm and to keep personal agendas in check. Ir, return, They were guaranteed a safe place <br /> ~rheie every voice Wr7s heard and ovary opinion yeas respected In the spirit of consensus and <br /> cornpromise, this Community-Based Vlson and living Action P{an for Downtown Hilo grew. This <br /> particular story begins on March 22, 2004; it is but the latest chapter in Downtown Hilo's long <br /> history of citizen leaders taking responsibility for Iheir children's future. <br /> The Living Plan Emerges <br /> Susan Gagonk invited workshop participants to join in a debriefing session at the Planning <br /> Department. Those who attended the April 14 meeting: Mary James, Will Schaefer, Susan O'Neill, <br /> Jeffrey Mermal, Beth Dykstra, Scott Ragers, Michelle Sheehan, Alice Maon, and Susan Gagorik. <br /> This debriefing meeting was the genesis of the steering committee later known os the Friends of <br /> Downtown Hilo. True to the organic evolution of Envision Downtown Hilo 2025, no one involved <br /> knew yet what was before them. Members of the fledgling steering cornmifitee brainstormed in <br /> hopes of answering some very basic questions: What should be done with the community input they <br /> gathered, aad what would the next steps be? Community members made 'rf known at the workshop <br /> that they wanted to see the not-so-great features fixed and they wanted 'o see their dreams for <br /> downtown realized. <br /> Some of the group were familiar with the Hilo Redevelopment Plan approved by County <br /> Council Resolution No 59$5 in 1985. This plan Included Ideas that were suggested at the <br /> workshop. Some felt that it would be a shame to waste an excellent existing resource and the <br /> energy, time, and money that had been put into that plan. Why reinvent the wheel? Other members <br /> however felt that a new, up-to-date plan should be developed. The one opinion on which everyone <br /> agreed was that no one wanted to waste time and energy on another plan that would sit on a shelf <br /> forgotten and collecting dust <br /> Members of the group were involved in local organ¢ations that were already developing <br /> plans in a variety of mission-specific areas, including the DIA, Hawoi'i Island Chamber of <br /> Commerce, Hllo Bay Watershed Advisory Group, Rural South Hilo Community Association, and <br /> Destination Hilo. Were the goals of all these planning efforts compatible or were they at cross- <br /> purposes? Were they in synch with the community's wishes? It was obvious to all that there was <br /> duplication of efforts in the community and that the local knowledge and networking base could be <br /> more efficienth~ tapped. Everyone agreed chat there was a need to continue to meet to grapple with <br /> <br /> these issues before Downtown Hilo was overwhelmed by changing trends. <br /> The group wondered if it were possible to change the way community and government <br /> io <br /> <br />