2018-03-16 Letter to Wil Espero re HB 2073, HD 1 Relating to Urban Redevelopment

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Harry Kim IU or Iinutf ffirr 4'. 11 Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow Dcputy Managing Director 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kallua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 March 16, 2018 Senator Will Espero, Chair Committee on Housing Hawaii State Capitol, Room 225 Honolulu, H 96813 Dear Chair Espero and Committee Members: Re: HB 2073, HD 1 Relating to Urban Redevelopment Hearing Date: 03-20-18 — 3:00 pm; Conference Room 225 Thank you for this opportunity to support H 2073, HD 1, as it relates to the Waiakea Peninsula and Kanoelehua Industrial Area. We appreciate this bill especially because it recognizes the significant step that was taken in establishing the Banyan Drive Hawail Redevelopment Agency (BDHRA), which continues its positive efforts in a government - community partnership. In addition to the comments from my Planning Department, we ask that you consider clarifying the scope of this bill. As written, the exemption may only apply to redevelopment work specifically undertaken by a redevelopment agency via a development agreement. Therefore, it ay exclude any construction work performed by a lessee, and there does not seem to be any reason to be so narrow. We hope that the language can be amended to make clear that if a lessee undertakes work that is compatible with the redevelopment agency's plans, such work would be covered by the exemption. We are in favor of this bill because it supports redevelopment of the Kanoelehua Industrial Area and :anyan Drive. However, revitalization of these areas also depends on legislative support of an EIS (through SB 2972) addressing State leases that will expire (via SB 3058/HB 2641); and expanding the authority of counties to use land-based financing (by way of S 3057). We ask for your positive consideration of those measures too, as the legislative session progresses, or even their incorporation into HB 2073, HD 1 Re Aectfully submitted, Harry Kith Mayor, County of Ha ai'' County of Hawari s an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.