Downtown Hilo Redevelopment Plan_Feb 1985

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COUNTY OF HAWAII 25 AUPUNI STREET o HILO, HAWAJJ September 19, 1983 Honorable Hiram Hagiwara, Chairman Hawaii Redevelopment Agency 35 Wa ilu ku Drive Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Chairman Hagiwa ra We are pleased to inform you that after conducting a duly held public hearing on September IS, 1983, the Planning Commission voted to approve the Downtown Hilo Redevelopment Plan with certain modifications. The Planning Commission's reasons for the approval of the plan are as follows: Downtown Hilo had traditionally served as the center of commercial activity for the City of Hilo, as well as the rest of the island. However, it has not escaped the trend of deterioration, decline and abandonment that has afflicted many other cities. Cognizant of the current problems which downtown Hilo face, in March of 1980, the County Council adopted Resolution No. 563 creating the Hawaii Redevelopment Agency (HRA) for the purpose of assisting with the redevelopment of that area. In approving the plan, the HRA and other governmental agencies, including the Planning Department, would be establishing concrete programs and .guidelines which can be used in the efforts of revitalizing downtown Hilo. This plan would serve as the basis to implement the goals, policies and courses of action of the General Plan aimed at revitalizing downtown Hilo. Specifically, the economic element of the General Plan states that "The County shall implement a program to revitalize downtown.' The General Plan also states that 'Rehabilitation, renewal, and redevelopment of the central business district (downtown Hilo) must be undertaken.' The plan will be implementing the policies of the General Plan as it will serve as a strategy action plan to guide all activities within the downtown area.