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Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin
One of three plazas designed to provide mauka-makai view corridors. General Growth Properties wants to turn the 60-acre Ward area of Kakaako into an "urban village" where people can shop and dine within walking distance of their homes and offices.
Owner General Growth unveils a 20-year plan for the 60-acre area
The owner of the 60-acre Ward area of Kakaako has unveiled redevelopment plans that call for a central mauka-makai plaza lined with shops, restaurants, offices and condominiums.
There would be more homes, ranging from affordable to luxury, view corridors looking toward the ocean, more transit options and a tree-lined Auahi Street connecting all of it.
General Growth Properties presented the preliminary "vision" as part of a 20-year master plan for the area to the Hawaii Community Development Authority yesterday.
If the Chicago-based developer moves forward as planned, the central plaza would cut through the existing Farmers Market and part of Ward Warehouse.
Farmers Market, home to some tenants who have done business there for decades, is slated for demolition, according to General Growth.
Current tenants in the area might or might not become part of the overall master plan as it evolves, the company said yesterday.
General Growth will hold a community open house on March 11 at Ward Warehouse regarding the preliminary plans.
General Growth Properties' vision for the Ward area of Kakaako over the next 20 years includes a central plaza that would be the heart of the neighborhood, along with more homes, and view corridors opening toward the ocean.
In preliminary plans sketched out yesterday, a central plaza would cut mauka-makai through the existing Farmers Market and Ward Warehouse. The tree-lined plaza -- between Ward Avenue and Kamakee Street -- would feature a mix of shops and restaurants, along with offices and condos up above, all the way down to Kewalo Basin.
Auahi Street would be reborn as a main boulevard, offering the state's flagship Whole Foods Market as well as shops, dining patios, entertainment, wider sidewalks and a canopy of trees.
More housing would also be added as part of the "urban village" mix, according to General Growth, which presented its master plan to the Hawaii Community Development Authority yesterday.
The Ward area of Kakaako would get a major makeover starting in about three years under tentative plans unveiled yesterday by General Growth Properties, which owns 60 acres in the district. Plans call for pedestrian-friendly plazas oriented mauka to makai, more housing and more retail and dining options.
Ward makeover
General Growth Properties has unveiled tentative plans to redevelop its 60-acre holdings in the Ward area of Kakaako over the next 20 years, including:
» Creation of a 3.25-acre central plaza, stretching mauka to makai through the current Farmers Market and part of Ward Warehouse.
» Auahi Street would become a main boulevard lined with trees, open seating areas, outdoor art.
» Two additional public plazas, along Ward Avenue and Kamakee Street.
» More housing, ranging from affordable to upscale.
» Underground utilities, lush landscaping, lampposts and benches.
» 100-plus more businesses.
» A variety of transportation options, including a transit station on Queen Street and bike paths.
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This looks like a pretty exciting proposal for the city. I really hope that such a plan and idea like this becomes a reality for Honolulu. BTW for more information you may click ->WARD Neighborhood
