Planning Commission gives Hilo senior complex thumbs up
by Jason Armstrong
Stephens Media
Saturday, December 2, 2006 10:10 AM HST
Hilo -- A proposed $32 million Hilo veterans' center and senior housing complex has received the county Planning Commission's unanimous endorsement.Stephens Media
Saturday, December 2, 2006 10:10 AM HST
Commissioners on Friday recommended the County Council rezone 4.9 acres of vacant land located across from Waiakea High School so the facility can be built there.
The nonprofit Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial Inc. needs the state-owned land reclassified to multifamily use to develop its project. The site, which totals 7.4 acres, is bordered by West Kawili and Kapiolani streets.
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Ka Hui Na Koa O Kawili, translated as "An Association of Warriors at Kawili" (Street), is to be built in three phases, the last of which won't be completed until 2012, according to the group's rezoning application.
The first phase will be a $3 million veterans' center to open next year. It will be one-stop service center for veterans, complete with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs office and several other military service providers.
The 6,200-square-foot facility will serve active and retired military, and their dependents.
Next phase will be a 15,000-square-foot, multi-purpose facility featuring a dining hall, meeting rooms, commercial kitchen, exercise area and administrative office.
That facility is estimated to cost $5 million, with a target completion date of 2010.
Veterans groups will be able to use it for free, while others will be charged a fee to raise money for a veterans scholarship, Williams said.
The final phase, with construction to start in 2008, will be a $24 million housing complex with some 96 to 110 units.
The one- and two-bedroom apartments will be sold to veterans at least 62 years old or their widowed spouses. The apartments, priced at $225,000 to $285,000, will be built in a trio of four-story buildings.
"As a veteran, I'm fully in support of this project, like all the other (veterans) groups are," said retired Judge Paul deSilva, a member of the group's board of directors.
It also drew praise from Planning Commissioner Rene Siracusa, who noted the close proximity to downtown and shopping areas.
"You're creating a walkable, little community here," she said.
Another supporter is Planning Director Chris Yuen, who noted in his report to the commission that the project is consistent with the General Plan.
"The proposed project will be providing care and support for veterans, military personnel and their families that will significantly improve their quality of life," Yuen wrote in his recommendation. "It will encourage the development of the retirement industry and provide a new economic environment that will provide needed services and create new job opportunities."
Following the meeting, Williams told Stephens Media his group will lobby state and federal leaders for money to build the project's first two phases.
Private money will be sought to finance the apartment complex, he said.
Jason Armstrong can be reached at jarmstrong@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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