HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-22 Letter to Sylvia Luke and Ty J.K. Cullen re HB 2073, HD 1 Relating to Urban RedevelopmentHarry Kim
Mavor
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
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February 22, 2018
Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair
Committee on Finance
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 308
Honolulu, Hi 96813
Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice -Chair
Committee on Finance
Hawail State Capitol, Room 308
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Luke, Vice -Chair Cullen and Co mittee Members:
Re: HB 2073, HD 1 Relating to Urban Redevelopment
Hearing Date: 02/23/18 — 12:00 pm; House Conference Room 308
Thank you for this opportunity to support HB 2073, HD 1 , as it relates to the Waiakea
Peninsula and Kanoelehua Industrial Area. We appreciate this bill especially because it
recognizes the significant step that was taken in establishing the Banyan Drive Hawaii
Redevelopment Agency (BDHRA), which continues its positive efforts in a government -
community partnership.
We ask that you consider clarifying the scope of this bill. As written, the exemption only
applies to redevelopment work specifically undertaken by a redevelopment agency via a
development agreement. Therefore, it seems to exclude any construction work performed by a
lessee. If that is not intended, we hope that the language can be broadened.
We are in favor of this bill because it supports redevelopment of the Kanoelehua
Industrial Area and Banyan Drive. However, revitalization of these areas also depends on
legislative support of an EIS (through SB 2972); addressing State leases that will expire (via SB
3058/HB 2641) and expanding the authority of counties to use land-based financing (by way of
SB 3057). We ask for your positive consideration of those measures as well as the legislative
session progresses.
Res' ctfuIIysubmitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor, County of Ha ail
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.