2010-03-05 TPD ENVISION - Laserfiche WebLink

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DOMINGO: I remember many years ago, even before Prince Kuhio Plaza was built and prior to that, with all the planning going on, the intent of creating another shopping area was an issue with regards to the new, the proposed new mall and Downtown. And keeping the business here in Downtown was the biggest concern of those who sat on the Council at that time. And it became a very, I think I can categorize that as a furious discussion that took place and issues discussed. Hopefully people like Mr. Molfino can come in and grasp the vision of what we’re talking about and go ahead with the means available to do what, you know, what you’re saying. And that way I’m sure with that revitalization people will come back, you know, bring back the shoppers Downtown so that the existing businesses can survive. And those who, perhaps families and those who buy into Downtown can survive and make this town grow again, and display the values and the attributes that made Downtown as popular as it had been since the beginning of this, since beginning of Hilo. And I think people like Mrs. Masuhara and Megan then can be proud that they’ve really contributed their, at least their bit of discussion into this whole issue. So we sit, I sit here very enthusiastic about going through the plan and having discussions about it so that we all can have an interaction that will provide for a better, for more promising results and go forward with something that will help us. O’HARA: I appreciate your perspective. DOMINGO: Thank you for all your efforts and your time. WOODWARD: All right, thank you, Commissioner Domingo. Commissioner Au. AU: I have a question for you. You’re with the Vision Keepers. Are you the president of the -? O’HARA: The Vision Keepers recently restructured and I am the immediate past chair. So right now we do not have a chair the way we’re functioning now. AU: So you mentioned five years ago you guys set this up. And how many meetings have you guys had since and how involved was the public and the landowners? O’HARA: Well, it was very involved. I was actually working with the County back in ’03 when this process began and represented my Department in a lot for the planning meetings that came before we actually drafted the plan. The plan was completed in 2005 and I think it was passed by the Council in November or December of 2005, if I recall. That was, shortly after that the Vision Keepers were created. At that point we had a membership of about 15 members. Many businesses and nonprofits that operate in Downtown Hilo were represented on the Vision Keepers. And we met monthly for the last five years; and the public is always invited to the meetings and they are agendized. Although we are not an official committee and not required to meet Sunshine Law, we pretty much did anyway. WOODWARD: All right, thank you very much. Any further questions? Okay, you two may be seated. Thank you very much for your testimony. We will need a motion and the Planning Director has requested a two-month continuance so that this would be rescheduled for the May meeting. Would somebody like to make such a motion? Commissioner Domingo. 11 EXHIBIT B