RES 317 Draft 02 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

WHEREAS, under the existing Bayfront Highway alignment lies an extensive historic beachfront, which if reclaimed, will restore public access to this valuable natural and cultural resource and enhance open space and view comdors; and WHEREAS, restoration of the Hilo Bayfront Beach and expansion of the adjacent Bayfront Pazk will enhance ocean recreation activities for residents and visitors alike and provide economic stimulus for small businesses in Downtown Hilo; and WHEREAS, the County Department of Reseazch and Development has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the State Hawaii Tourism Authority, with $50,000 in matching County funds included in the fiscal year 2006-2007 capital improvement budget, to undertake planning of the Hilo Bayfront Trails project, a pedestrian and bikeway trail system extending from Hilo Harbor to Wailuku River; and WHEREAS, funding of a feasibility study for the closure and realignment of the Bayfront Highway and restoration of the Hilo Bayfront Beach is timely and will help integrate planning of roadway realignments and trail alignments along Hilo Bay, consistent with the goals and policies set forth in the General Plan and the Envision Downtown 2025 Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the County finance a feasibility study to assess project costs and timelines for the closure and realignment of the Hilo Bayfront Highway and the restoration of underlying Hilo Bayfront Beach. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the proposed study concludes that project costs and timelines are feasible relative to the public benefits to be derived therefrom, the Council of the County of Hawaii shall ask the Governor of the State of Hawaii and the Hawaii State Legislature to finance those portions of the Hilo Bayfront Highway realignment and Hilo Bayfront Beach restoration projects that are within the jurisdiction of the State of Hawaii. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Hawaii transmit certified copies of this resolution to County Director of Parks and Recreation Patricia Englehazd, County Planning Director Christopher Yuen, County Director of Public Works Bruce McClure, County Director of Civil Defense Troy Kindred, County Director of Research and Development Jane Testa, County Director of Finance William Takaba, the Honorable Harry Kim, Mayor, County of Hawaii, Hawaii District Engineer Stanley Tamura, State Highways, Department of Transportation, Administrator Sam Lemmo, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State Representative Dwight Takamine, District 1, State Representative Jerry Chang, District 2, State Representative Clifron Tsuji, District 3, State Representative Helene Hale, District 4, State Representative Robert Herkes, District 5, State Representative Josh Green, District 6, State Representative Cindy Evans, District 7, 2