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PART 2: ALTERNATIVES 2.1 Proposed Project The County of Hawaii proposes to spend $286,000 of 1997 and 1998 Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for design and construction of a park on the southeast bank of the Wailuku River. The limits of the project are Kamehameha Avenue and Wainaku Street (Fig. 2). The goal is to create a linear riverfront park that takes advantage of the striking views of the Wailuku River and provides open recreational space for County residents and visitors. Improvements comprise the following elements: o Clearing of most vegetation that currently obscures views of the river, preserving, however, the Chinese banyan (Ficus micro h lla ) that is just mauka (southwest) of the Keawe -Puueo Bridge, and other selected trees; o Landscaping with grass and native shrubs and herbs, along with trees such as palms that will not obscure views as they grow; o Meandering sidewalks promoting a "walking" atmosphere, meeting the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act; o Protective rails at the edge of the riverbank in certain locations where park - .users will be drawn to the edge of the bank; o Several picnic tables on the lower section of the park near Kamehameha Avenue; o One or more platforms (approximately 150 square feet or less in area) that will be on the edge of or cantilevered over the slope of the river to provide a location for viewing, resting and fishing. Two variations of the proposed project are under consideration by the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation. They differ in the treatment of the throughway and parking on Wailuku Drive between Kamehameha Avenue and Keawe Street. The Wailuku Drive Closure Alternative would block Wailuku Drive in front of the Hilo Armory, providing open, pedestrian park space connecting the park to the Armory. The two alleyways and associated parking lots at either end of the Hilo Armory would remain open. Approximately 17 parking spaces would be lost. The Wailuku Drive As- Is Alternative would allow the street to remain open, but would not provide an open park space connecting the Armory to the park. 4