180427 DHMMP Final Plan with Larger LOGO

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DOWNTOWN HILO MULTIMODAL MASTER PLAN 1.0 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION This Introduction describes the process and current and prior efforts leading to the preparation of the Downtown Hilo Multimodal Master Plan (DHMMP or Plan). It provides an overview of the Plan development process and describes how the Plan is organized. 1.1 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PLAN Downtown Hilo is an important gathering place and destination on Hawai'i Island for residents and visitors. Its historic buildings, compact \ODW�=own µiso 2025 grid network, scenic location, and cultural destinations are valuables;` assets for a welcoming, walkable environment. The Downtown Hilo Multimodal Master Plan focuses on strengthening these assets A COMMUNITY -BASE) through improvements to Downtown Hilo's transportation network VISION AND LiviNG ACTON and streetscape. It also addresses connectivity between Downtown PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN HALO and key destinations such as UH Hilo, Hilo Bay, and Hilo Harbor. Planning efforts in Hilo have long called for this, as discussed below. oe.em6e,2W5 In 2005, the County of Hawai'i County Council adopted En Vision Downtown Hilo 2025: A Community -Based Vision and Living Actionm9' Cz ry til Plan (EDH 2025 plan). The EDH 2025 plan serves as a guide for planning in Downtown Hilo and establishes the vision, strategies, and actions for creating an environment that is sustainable, livable, and attractive to its residents, workers, businesses, and visitors. En Vision Downtown Hilo 2025 was the result of a 15 -month community -driven process involving hundreds of stakeholders, set forth a vision for Downtown Hilo (see Section 2.1), and outlined a detailed action plan for achieving that Vision. A 5 -year Action Plan Update for En Vision Downtown Hilo was prepared in 2010 to update the action matrix. The Update includes Strategies and Actions in six major focus areas: 1) Creating Economic Vitality; 2) Preserving the Environment; 3) Strengthening and Sustaining the Community; 4) Enhancing Education, Culture, and the Arts; 5) Promoting Health and t Safety; and 6) Managing Growth. t EmVisioxDowwownNao2026; The Downtown Hilo Multimodal Master Plan arose out of one specific action item identified in En Vision Hilo 2025, Action 6.11, which calls for the County to, "Develop a master plan to include traffic circulation, parking, and pedestrian streetscape." However, it addresses actions in other focus areas as well (see Appendix A for a complete list). The County of Hawai'i Planning Department (County) initiated the Downtown Hilo Multimodal Master Plan to address Action 6.11 and, in accordance with Complete Streets principles, identify implementable actions to make Downtown Hilo more vibrant and welcoming gathering place and destination. The next section provides background on Complete Streets as a philosophy, its benefits, and its regulatory context in Hawai'i County. A COM UNITY-g5F VISION AND LIVING AC PUN 5 -Ye or Action Non Updote NOY&-L:' .".' z xllr fAr rtllk�LNr . iRulnM MwW April 2018 1