2008-03-06 THILOFARMERS MARKET - Laserfiche WebLink

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DELA CRUZ: I do. WATANABE: Okay, thank you. Before you begin your testimony, would you state your name and address for the record; and then you can proceed. MELROSE: Okay, my name is Jeff Melrose, Island Planning, 1405 Waianuenue Avenue. So I thank you for your time today. What Mr. Dela Cruz is trying to attempt today to do, and over the next couple of years to do, is something that nobody has done in Hilo since Nihon, since the Nihon was constructed. This would really be the first building inside the inundation zone that has been constructed since we kind of came out of this run of tidal waves a while back. So it’s a, from a construction perspective, from a design and implementation perspective it’s something that others have feared to tread in that environment. But because the market is such an important part of Downtown Hilo over the 20 years that it has been in place and that the, you know, 200 or so small business people who come regularly and depend on that venue to sell what they sell, it has become a real important part in the cornerstone for a lot of downtown on revitalization; and it spreads not just in the market but in downtown generally. So the proposal, and this is really in much credit to Mr. Dela Cruz for his work with the Mayor and with others to try and respond to their desire for an improved facility. There are all kinds of issues. There are certainly handicap issues, there’s lighting, there’s water, a bunch of issues that are all going to have to come into this. So these kinds of improvements we are in a conceptual design phase, so we’ve done a conceptual design. That’s what Keith has had his architects prepare. As we get closer to the implementation, once we get this permit if you approve it today, we’ll continue to implement, you know, to follow through with the design process. So we’re still kind of trying to figure out just what’s going to go on the second floor and whether a third floor goes on at this point in time, and those kinds of things. But we’re looking for the envelope approval, which is give us enough to be able to work from. I just wanted to address one thing from Ron Thiel’s conversation. I really think we’re very fortunate. Ron has done a really good job of just being applied, and like he said to Commissioner Bowman, I just want to get to the meat of the matter. You know, he goes right to the topic. The conversations we’ve had with him about Mamo Street closure are preliminary conversations. You know that idea is something that he asked us to go out and talk to; and Keith and I have been talking to neighbors because it doesn’t just affect the market. It’s a neighborhood thing. So we’re really not looking to see this be an announcement of that solution because, in fact, it’s not. It’s something that we’re exploring. It has some benefits but there’s a whole lot of -. Communication strategy was one piece that you mentioned, Ms. Siracusa, that that needs to be worked out, relationships with other landowners nearby all of which are going to get affected, circulation and the like. So those things are all in process. So although the Planning Director says it’s not a condition, it is something that we’re interested in because pedestrian safety and circulation in that area is of concern now as a sense of business owner, and as a resident in Downtown Hilo, as a player in that part of the environment. So, I don’t know if Keith has anything in particular to add to that, go ahead. WATANABE: Mr. Dela Cruz, if you’d like to testify give your name and address please, first. EXHIBIT B 8