A new building will be cropping up at the West Hawaii Civic Center in a few years, thanks to initial action Tuesday by the County Council Finance Committee.
The committee unanimously agreed to forward to the council with a positive recommendation a $9.6 million appropriation to plan and construct a building for the county Prosecutor’s Office. The money would come from bond funds or some other sources in future budgets.
Prosecutor Mitch Roth said he needs more room for his staff of 30 than the temporary office now rented in Kelakekua. He’s trying to time the new building to coincide with the construction of the new West Hawaii judiciary building planned close by.
The judiciary building, estimated at $90 million, will be built north of Makalapua Shopping Center in Kailua-Kona.
The eight-building West Hawaii Civic Center complex, on 7 acres near the intersection of Ane Keohokalole Highway and Kealakahe Parkway, encompasses 22 county agencies plus a state agency in 85,000 square feet of space. Completed in 2011, it cost $50.5 million.
Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille, who ultimately voted in favor of the prosecutor’s request, was initially dubious. She said buildings at the West Hawaii Civic Center are currently “underutilized” and with some remodeling, there should be ample room for the prosecutor’s staff.
The county could save millions by using what it already has, she said.
“I think that really this should be looked at … versus sitting in a whole new building,” Wille said.
Kona Councilman Dru Kanuha disagreed.
“There will be need for those spaces in coming years,” Kanuha said. “Hopefully, a lot of new positions will be added.”
Roth said after the meeting he plans to share space with the county Corporation Counsel. The county currently has one civil attorney using an office in the mayor’s suite.
Roth said the county will ultimately save money, because the prosecutor’s building would share maintenance services, utilities and computer networks with the West Hawaii Civic Center.
“We know the population is growing and we know we’re going to get more cases in the future,” Roth said.