2018-09-24 BDHRA Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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HEIT: Just to clarify. The State Department of Land and Natural Resources has expended funds to date. We've provided over $500,000 in studies on three properties in the Banyan Drive area. The three that, one of which we're talking about today. So it's not like we don't have any skin in the game; we do. We have over half a million dollars that we've put into doing studies including, you know, sea level rising, the evaluation or the proposed use of the existing structures. TANIGUCHI: I agree, and maybe you're doing the right thing, but the, to do it right you gotta, to me, you gotta get the master plan. And all that master plan will take care of all, not take care, but consider all the sea level studies that you guys are—so it's not dollars not spent for anything. There's a purpose for that. But when are we going to put it together? To come up with a plan taking all these different discoveries so far, you know? You know what I'm saying? You got the sea level plan, so what's, what does that do? What does the sea level rise plan that you commissioned, gives us good information, but what does it do? Nothing I think, as far as I'm concerned. YEE: You know I'll agree with Gordon that DLNR has consistently testified to, through testimony, on the bills that they've certainly put up a half million dollars into Banyan Drive over a period of time here. Again, what does that mean if you fix a house and the roof is still leaking, it doesn't matter how much money you've poured in at that point, you still got a leaky roof and who needs to fix it? Certainly you can debate that. And so I would get to that point of, great you spent the half million, Gordon, I think I know Gordon well enough that I could at least throw the challenge out here that, you know, we can acknowledge that but right now we're stuck in this place where we need more and how do we come up with it. I don't expect to solve that today, but Mr. Taniguchi certainly asking the same questions that we've been kind of pondering for a while now. SELF: Just to get back to what Representative Onishi was asking, I have to point out that under Chapter 53, HRS 53, you know 53-5 states the powers and duties of the Agency. Well, one of the things, in addition to a master plan, is that plans have to be prepared for and assist in relocation of persons displaced from this urban renewal in that area. So a lot of that depends on what happens with the leases because I believe that some of those, some of the buildings probably have Section 8 housing. So that all has to be planned for too. So it's not just a master plan and an EIS, there's gonna have to be relocation of persons who are losing their homes. TANIGUCHI: May I ask a question? The structure between Mr. Inouye's property and the old Travel Lodge structure, what's happening there? There are people living there, right? That they think they own the premises? HEIT: You're thinking of the Bayview Banyan property. TANIGUCHI: I don't know the names. HEIT: That's a long term lease. You know, it's strictly a rental unit. Strictly a rental unit. TANIGUCHI: No, the other one that'sI thought there's another one where people think that they own the property Page 8 of 19 Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency September 24,2018 Minutes