2018-08-29 BDHRA Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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DELIMA: At the last meeting we were advised that the request for interest, as Gordon reported, there was only one interest submitted by Tower Development and the concern was that the cost of actual demolition of the Banyan—of Uncle Billy’s was such that no monies were appropriated to do so. So the concept was that perhaps a private investor would be willing to undertake the responsibility to demolish the existing structure that’s not occupied and build a hotel onsite that would be consistent with our Redevelopment Agency’s plan. At the same time, it was recognized that Tower Development had the land across the street that would probably be necessary in order to effectuate a hotel that has adequate parking under existing Planning scheme. So, at the last meeting I asked that we place this on the agenda because, quite frankly, if Tower Development is interested, they hold the lease, a long-term lease, on the land across the street that I was hoping that as an agency, we would send a letter of support of—obviously the State has to negotiate with Tower Development, we’re not saying that you give them a blank check, but that we issue a agency, our agency’s support for the effort to proceed with those plans if it’s in the interest of the taxpayers in the State of Hawai‘i. That’s where I was coming from in terms of asking that this be placed on the agenda, and I would invite comment and discussion or even a motion to that effect if there’s some support. K.T. you had your hand up? CANNON-EGER: (Shakes head) DELIMA: Oh, I guess I was inviting you to have your hand up. (Laughs) The Chair will entertain a motion to that effect if people were— CANNON-EGER: So moved. DELIMA: Is there a second? GADDIS: Second. DELIMA: Okay. Any discussion? Anyone want to discuss this? Senator, do you want to say a few words or your thoughts on it? Or Mr. Yee? Senator. KAHELE: Thank you. And I just want to thank, again, the Board members and everyone for reconvening at this meeting. It’s good to be back; it just seems like we were here last month. And you know, this is definitely something that I’m glad that we’ve put on the agenda and hopefully we can support, the BDHRA can support it. You know, I think Tower Development has proved that they can do a project of this magnitude on the peninsula, and it’s something that we definitely should look at DLNRs perspective. You know, I don’t know if in the original request for interest if there were other interested parties. I think, if I’m not mistaken, Tower was the only one to put a proposed plan forth for the Uncle Billy’s property. HEIT: Correct. We did have a site inspection of the property prior to the deadline for the request for interest. There was several other interested parties. They didn’t submit any, any application so, the only one was from Tower. DELIMA: Gordon, is it accurate though that once an RFP goes out that other interested people could actually put in proposals despite not putting in an intent or interest—I don’t know what’s the answer to that but— Page 3 of 6 Banyan Drive Hawaiʽi Redevelopment Agency August 29, 2018 Minutes