SDAT PR_4_17_09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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William P. Kenoi Ilq vor William T. Takaba Ilonogo� Director Walter K.M. Lau Depirtv_llan, Bing Director County of Hawaii 891 U nlain Sheet • Hilo, Haivai'i 96720 -3982 • (808) 961 -8211 • Fax (808) 961 -6553 hONA: 75-5722 Hanama Place, Snite 102 • hailtia -hona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 327 -3602 • Fax (808) 326-5663 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 17, 2009 CONTACT: Hunter Bishop, 961 -8565 Team eyes sustainability in downtown Hilo plan The Envision Downtown Hilo 2025 VisionKeepers and the County of Hawaii Planning Department have begun preparations for Downtown Hilo's participation in the 2009 Sustainable Design Assessment Team Program. The SDAT Program is a community assistance program that focuses on principles of sustainability — defined by our community's ability to meet the needs of today without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Downtown Hilo was selected as a host community by the American Institute of Architects in December 2008. In May, the AIA will send a multi- disciplinary team of professionals to Hilo to work with local implementation partners and stakeholders in a 3 -day charrette (collaborative planning workshop). Team Leader Erica Rioux Gees, an architect from Amherst, Massachusetts, and Cooper Martin, Project Manager at the AIA's Center for Communities by Design in Washington D.C., conducted a site visit in March. They spent three days meeting with key stakeholders, community organizations, and government officials, including Downtown Hilo council members Dennis Onishi and Donald Ikeda, and County Managing Director William Takaba, to collect information on critical issues facing Downtown Hilo. The information gathered will be used to assemble the team of multidisciplinary experts who will return to Hilo from May 5 — 7, 2009 to participate in the charrette. "The goal of this process is not to change Downtown Hilo, but to show residents the tools to implement the Envision Downtown Hilo 2025 Plan that they already created and that they will continue to improve upon," states Cooper Martin. "Success can only come from inspiring the citizens of Hilo. They are the people with roots in its past and a stake in its future." (more) Connty of Haivai'i is an Eqnal Opportnnit\ Provider and Emplo\ er.