Breaking News
Local News

Businesses urged to ready for civic complex work

First phase of Wailuku project set to begin in June

By KEHAULANI CERIZO 5 min read

WAILUKU -- The county is asking Wailuku town businesses to start planning now for employee and customer parking, as well as the inevitable business interruptions, during the Wailuku Civic Complex's first phase of construction, slated to begin in June and last about two years.

For area workers, parking options include a temporary 100-stall lot at Wells Park, parking at the War Memorial Stadium and taking a free weekday shuttle, or renting a parking stall from a nearby property owner.

For customers, there will be two-hour parking options in 43 stalls next to Iao Theater and 32 stalls at Wells Park, both within one block of Main and Market streets.

The existing municipal lot has a little more than 200 stalls, with 70 two-hour stalls, all of which will be displaced by the civic complex work.

The county also is looking into providing a free service of roaming electric vehicles that can be called with an app by employees and customers in the district.

Erin Wade, county planner and project administrator, presented proposals for parking, along with other Wailuku Civic Complex plans, during a packed Wailuku Community Association meeting attended by about 100 area business owners, residents and public officials on Wednesday night.

Afterward, Wailuku town businesspeople talked with project officials about concerns during construction. Access was at the top of their lists.

"My business is 95 percent contracted catering," said Bill Bailey, owner and chef of Maui Flavors Catering at 2102 W. Vineyard St. "I need to get in and out."

Kimberly Castillon, owner of A Perfect Look permanent makeup, who rents space at 53 N. Market St., said she was worried about her elderly and handicapped customers.

"What are we going to do about our clients?" Castillon asked, adding that her business runs on services, not products that she can easily move. "They have to be able to access our building."

Wade referred business owners to a business interruption program that would include grants available for the lesser of 75 percent of lost sales or $1,125 per month for the 24-month duration of the construction period. Businesses must prove loss is linked to construction.

Also, tax abatement for property owners may be offered, Wade said.

A mobile app that highlights Wailuku historic and cultural sites, along with the Small Town Big Art public art program, are aimed at drawing people to visit and to patronize the town during potentially slow times.

"No matter how hard we work, there will still likely be a decline in business," Wade added.

Last spring, $44 million was approved by the County Council for the first phase of the project, which includes road and infrastructure improvements along Church and Vineyard streets. This portion is scheduled to start in June but will more likely commence in August, Wade said.

Phase 1B includes construction of the parking garage and shared road behind Market Street properties, which is slated to begin in September.

Another $40 million for Phase 2, which includes the three-story civic building and plaza, was appropriated by the council in December, but the project must return there before the bond can be authorized.

That funding may be in question, especially because then-Council Members Elle Cochran, Kelly King and Alika Atay complained about the cost and wanted more project information and public testimony. The $80 million price tag has been the focal point of opponents to the project in the council.

If remaining funding is not secured, Managing Director Sandy Baz said there are other options.

"The department would work with the administration, council and community on alternatives, including seeking outside funding sources or adjusting the scope of the project," he said Thursday.

Discussions over a need for Wailuku town parking improvements have gone as far back as 1962, according to county officials, and this particular project began in 2000, with many community meetings held to generate feedback over the years.

Council Member Riki Hokama said in December that the project began for him in 1985. Since then, various plans for parking structures have failed, which is why the current, more comprehensive plan must advance.

"I'm tired of spinning on dimes," he said in December. "This is where we are spinning and spinning. The county cannot go backward."

Hokama, along with several key area land and business owners, such as Jonathan Starr, Carol Ball and Helen Nielsen, strongly support the complex.

While Vineyard Street business owner Bailey said the project is "interesting" and may bring business to Wailuku, Castillon, who has rented her spot for eight years, said she doesn't "like it at all."

Peggy Jones of Bloom Hair Parlor, who also rents space at 53 N. Market Street, said she has mixed feelings.

"My main concern is access to business during construction," she said on Wednesday night. "I'm very worried about that. As far as the structure goes, I haven't even been able to see that far ahead."

For information about the Wailuku Civic Complex and infrastructure construction plans, visit www.rewailuku.org/.

* Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.

Starting at /week.