HONOLULU (AP) — The city’s plan to tear down Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium is being pushed back as state officials raise concerns about the historic building’s preservation.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports (http://bit.ly/1KVGb4S ) city official, Robert Kroning, says State Historic Preservation Division officials have asked the city to consider a third possible alternative for the building, which could take about 16-18 months.
Kroning says completion of a draft environmental assessment will now be toward the end of 2016.
As alternatives, the draft assessment lists demolition or the full restoration of the pool, bleachers and arches of the nearly century-old structure.
Kroning says the Caldwell administration still calls for most of the building to be torn down and the area turned into a beach.
The decision to tear down the Natatorium was made in 2009.