180427 DHMMP Final Plan with Larger LOGO

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY DOWNTOWN HILO MULTIMODAL MASTER PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND In 2005, the Hawai'i County Council adopted the En Vision Downtown Hilo 2025: A Community -Based Vision and Living Action Plan (EDH 2025). The EDH 2025 Plan serves as a guide for planning in Downtown Hilo and it establishes the strategies and actions for creating an environment that is sustainable, livable and attractive to its residents, workers, and visitors. Action 6.11 of the EDH2O25 Plan calls for the "development of a master plan to include traffic circulation, parking, and pedestrian streetscape." This Downtown Hilo Multimodal Master Plan (DHMMP) fulfills this action item and furthers many other actions identified in EDH 2025. The DHMMP proposes a significant shift in thinking about how people utilize and move through Downtown Hilo, one that considers and accommodates people of all abilities, whether traveling on foot, riding bicycles, using transit, or traveling by car. This multimodal approach is consistent with best practices in transportation planning that employ principles of "Complete Streets." The County of Hawai'i has adopted a Complete Streets policy and is in the process of developing County -wide Complete Streets design standards for all roads. The recommendations contained in the DHMMP arose out of an extensive public engagement process, as well as consultations with numerous County and State agencies. The East Hawaii Cultural Center is one of Downtown's notable historic buildings Downtown Hilo is an ideal neighborhood for applying Complete Streets principles. It is already a destination and gathering place. Its compact size, small blocks lined with historic buildings, and frontage on Hilo Bay make it an attractive place for residents to enjoy walking and bicycling. The current situation in Downtown Hilo include street design that prioritizes vehicle traffic, and the resulting use of Downtown streets as through -ways to other parts of the island. One-way circulation patterns result in vehicles circling blocks to reach destinations or find parking, to the detriment of pedestrian comfort and safety. Downtown streets lack bicycle lanes, making it intimidating for all but experienced cyclists to bike Downtown. Parking is perceived as scarce, however there are ample areas available within a 5 to 10 minute walk of the Downtown core that could accommodate needs with improved wayfinding and parking management. Homelessness and vagrancy is also an issue that detracts from safety and enjoyment of public spaces and needs to be addressed through appropriate lighting, security, and improvements. The DHMMP recommends improvements to road design and circulation, pedestrian amenities, bicycle facilities, transit, parking, and streetscape to further elevate Downtown Hilo's vibrancy and enhance safety. This will invite increased activity that will stimulate Downtown businesses and encourage more desirable uses. The recommended improvements are high-level concepts, and will be subject to further study and analysis to determine feasibility and final design. April 2018 ES -1