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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0037.009 2002-2004 ZV or Harry Kim Dixie Kaetsu Ma or Y Managing Director • k';;•g:3" Peter T. Young Deputy Managing Director l1J 1 I i , QCuut~tp of ~at~ai`i 25 Aupmii Street, Room 215 • Hilq Hawaii 9672 j252 • (808) 961-8211 • Fnx (808) 961-6553 KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suit '0.i Kailua-Kona, Hawai'I 96740 (808)329-5226 • Fax (808)326-5663 January 31, 2003 The Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Subject: West Hawaii Civic Center - Design/Construction Dear Chairman Arakaki and Council Members: I know that the proposal to provide $2.5 million in my proposed bond float for a West Hawaii Civic Center has not been included in the total the Council is considering at this time. I would like to take this last opportunity to explain some of the reasons why I think this is an important project, and much needed in West Hawaii. Population growth in West Hawaii. The population growth in West Hawaii since 1970 has been phenomenal. According to the 1970 census, the population of North and South Kona and South Kohala combined was less than 12,000. The 2000 census shows that these three districts now have a population exceeding 50,000. I admit that government has been slow to respond to this rapid growth, as is evidenced by lack of infrastructure and levels of service available in West Hawaii. Lack of "town center." There is no central government center, no "town center" or "gathering place" for West Hawaii. When you look at Kona, there are shopping areas, industrial areas, and subdivisions but no central location to bring people together and provide a sense of identity. Growth has been focused in North Kona and South Kohala, and the proposed site for the civic center is ideally located to provide this focal area for the whole of West Hawaii. We will continue to encourage the State to locate its planned state building adjacent to our civic center facility, to further foster this "gathering place" concept. County Council meetings. One important feature of the complex when it is built out will b~ M a meeting room for the County Council to use when it has meetings in West Hawaii. The r . voters spoke in the last election when they approved an amendment to the County Charter requiring that the Council meet at least once each quarter in North or South Kona. What kind o of impression do the people of West Hawaii have when these council meetings must be held in hotel conference rooms? This does not make the people of West Hawaii feel a part of their government. With a West Hawaii meeting facility, 1 hope the Council will be able to take its meetings to Kona more often than the mandated four times a year, and enable people in West d o Hawaii to feel more involved and a part of County government. ~ Z W January 31, 2003 The Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chair Page 2 Government must change its attitude. I have already asked my department heads to rethink the way we do business in West Hawaii, to look at activities that can be located there as we decentralize the core government functions. It is unacceptable for the levels of service in West Hawaii to be behind what is available in East Hawaii. This proposed civic center is essential to this decentralization. We must have our own facility that has been designed for our needs with adequate working space and parking for employees as well as the public. Presently, the number of staff assigned to West Hawaii is limited by the size of the facilities rented. This contributes to the admittedly inadequate services in some areas. While the first module of the proposed facility will focus on drivers licensing and motor vehicle registration, future modules will provide adequate space for expanded services from departments such as Public Works and Planning. Design/planning. We are proposing to hold a design competition to design the proposed civic center. This will be a model facility that will be environmentally advanced, energy efficient, and reflect the ambience of the area. Parameters and guidelines will be provided, and architects will be asked to submit designs. The submissions will then be reviewed by a group of community representatives to choose the best design. This will enable the people of West Hawaii to actively participate in this project from the beginning. Fiscal reasons. The site chosen is ready to build on, with all infrastructure in place. It was obtained at no cost from the State of Hawaii by Executive Order. The County is paying around $500,000 annually in rent for the various facilities used by departments, scattered around Kailua and Kealakekua. With this amount of money, we can pay the debt service on $5 million of bonds, have a facility that is suitable for our needs, and be building equity rather than just paying the expense of rent. It makes fiscal sense to begin planning and construction of a civic center. The proposal is to construct the facility in modules, so that as funds permit, we can add on at minimal cost. Conclusion. For these reasons, I ask you to please reconsider and include the requested funding of $2.5 million for the West Hawaii Civic Center in the bond float presently under consideration. This goes well beyond a building. This is symbolic of our commitment to the people of West Hawaii that they are equal participants in County government, and that they are respected and valued as all County citizens are. I think that this project can improve people's attitude about government services in West Hawaii. Thank you for your consideration. AI a, Harry KiG~ MAYOR