2018-09-24 BDHRA Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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YEE: So, there's always plan C and D with me, because we're even past plan B at this point. And so yes, we have private parties approaching the County saying, you know, how can we still provide some funding to get this going cause they can still see it in the long-term interest of everybody to front the money to get something done. Again, given all the issues I've had on my plate recently hasn't risen to a point where I can sit down with Corporation Council to talk about the legalities over what's being proposed, but yes, I am collecting those ideas and have to meet with them soon knowing that the, you know, the Leg is just around the corner again so we better have our ducks lined up again. So yes, I've been approached with plan C and D, and again, it's the constant juggling of the "what if's." Just for the audience too, I want to be able toI came from Washington State where I worked close to 20 years on preservation and development authorities, which are very similar to, to the Banyan Drive Redevelopment Agency. This is a very unique situation where an agency was set up by the County but that doesn't own the land. It was a very difficult thing to kind of start off with. And so, working for an agency in Washington State where we had more control of land, or more income coming in, it was a different set of economics that you could drive the agency. Setting up an agency with no funding to start with was, boy, it just a difficult place to start. I totally understand why Banyan Drive certainly deserves the attention, but again, that's where we get caught up in all this cross-jurisdictional discussions that have to happen which, you know, if you're from the public can seem quite frustrating that government isn't working efficiently. TANIGUCHI: You know you have plans C and D; what about plan E? No, no, no, I just thought about it now. What if plan E is to go ask the Governor to EO the land to the County? SELF: They're not going to give up their money. YEE: I'm way ahead of you, Mr. Taniguchi TANIGUCHI: Oh shucks. YEE: —and I did ask to have the Mayor ask for that as a parting gift someday. I hope the Mayor makes the ask. I certainly wouldn't bet on that happening. CANNON-EGER: There's precedent. TANIGUCHI: Well we could tell them that you want to keep your future cash flow, you help us get this thing going. Give us the money to get this thing going, you keep the land, you keep the rents later, but put some money into it now. YEE: Again, the reason why I actually like that idea is, again, is trying to align missions with government agencies, with agencies that are better suited to the mission and in this case, you know, DLNR's mission is really a conservation mission yet they're kind of tied up into this economic development realm. So that's not their focus. And so, could they still make the money they need to make off the land, off the land lease, but still have the control go to an entity that is focused on economic development so the returns for them because it's not the focus will be much more in the future. It's how do you sell that to the here and now of the powers that be at DLNR is always going to be the trick. Easier said than done. Page 13 of 19 Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency September 24,2018 Minutes