This is potentially some great, great news for the city of Honolulu! The reason why I say potentially is because it's just a proposal in need of approval but it look's like it may move forward!
Kakaako rebirth pushes forward
A $233.6 million project is expected to create 1,200 jobs
Source:
Honolulu Star Bulletin
BTW, this appears to be a separate proposal than the other massive one in the same area with as much as 20-30 new highrises. I cannot remember exactly but I posted information on it somewhere in this thread.
This artist's rendering depicts a pedestrian mall within the proposed Kakaako redevelopment.
This rendering shows an overview of Kamehameha Schools' Kakaako redevelopment plans.
Map of development -- makai (towards the sea), mauka (towards the mountains)
GETTING A MAKEOVER
Highlights of Kamehameha Schools' 29-acre Kakaako revamp:
» A 400,000-square-foot Asia Pacific Research Center, the first phase of which, expected to cost $80 million, could break ground as early as the end of 2010 and create 1,200 new jobs
» 2,750 homes on 29 acres mauka of Ala Moana Boulevard, to break ground at the same time as the Asia Pacific Research Center
» Kamehameha is requesting approval for a maximum 4.6 million square feet of density, which would include commercial space, pedestrian walkways and bike paths.
Kamehameha Schools is forging ahead on a new master plan intended to propel the rebirth of Kakaako into a long-awaited hub for Hawaii's high-tech industry.
The revised plan, which comes as many developers scale back in the down economy, includes the building of 2,750 homes on 29 acres mauka of Ala Moana Boulevard and a 400,000-square-foot Asia Pacific Research Center -- the first phase of which, expected to cost $80 million, could break ground as early as the end of 2010, according to a proposal the $9 billion trust expects to file next week with the Hawaii Community Development Authority. The total cost of the center, assuming the cost per square foot for the rest of the project remains the same, is estimated at $233.6 million.
The vision is to create a "vibrant, pedestrian-friendly and environmentally sustainable urban village" over the next 15 to 30 years so that the next generation can secure high-wage jobs at the innovation center and live in a neighborhood populated by restaurants and businesses.
The center will be built on five acres behind the former Gold Bond Building at 677 Ala Moana Blvd. adjacent to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the proposed cancer research center. The former CompUSA site is expected to be one of the first areas to be redeveloped.
Kamehameha is request- ing approval for a maximum 4.6 million square feet of density, which could change depending on what is actually built in the district.
Bordered by Ala Moana Boulevard, Halekauwila Street, South Street and Ward Avenue, the revitalized neighborhood would be a mix of low-rise apartment buildings and commercial space and include pedestrian walkways and bike paths. The city also is planning its transit line at Halekauwila Street. At least 20 percent of the residential development is expected to meet affordable-housing requirements.
Updates:
1. The new Disney Hotel (two towers 15 flrs) recently broke ground.
2. University of Hawaii-West Oahu gets crucial zoning change
3. Hawaii making plans for larger, modernized emergency center - The state wants to build a $70 million emergency operations center on Diamond Head Road that could withstand a Category 4 hurricane or a powerful earthquake, comfortably accommodate dozens of representatives from state and federal agencies in one control center and run on a generator for at least 15 days. Construction starting as early as 2010.
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