Because of an increase in the project’s cost and lack of funding, and in response to the majority consensus of the stakeholders along Queen Street, the Authority cancelled the Queen Street Improvements Project , or Improvement District 11 (ID-11). HCDA will also terminate all related contracts and proceed with rescinding the rules that established ID-11 and the property assessments.

ID-11 would have consisted of the construction of roadway and infrastructure improvements on Queen Street between Ward Avenue and Kamakee Street.  Construction on the project was to start in January 2007, but on January 10, 2007 HCDA staff reported to the Authority that the construction cost of the project has increased substantially.  This increase was due in large part to revisions that were made to the construction plans as required by the City and County of Honolulu.  Due to the increase in project costs, and after consultation with the Attorney General’s Office, staff recommended canceling the existing construction contract and to solcit community’s input on how HCDA should proceed with ID-11 or another alternative.

HCDA staff met with the stakeholders on January 24.  The meeting was conducted in an “open-house” format, where people could attend at their convenience between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and talk one-on-one with staff about the project.  Meeting notices and survey forms were also mailed to landowners, who were assessed a portion of the ID-11 cost, and their lessees and also to properties fronting Queen Street between Ward Avenue and Cooke Street.

Generally, the consensus from the majority of attendees was that the project should be canceled, although there was acknowledgement that improvements are necessary on Queen Street.  The majority, however, felt that individual property owners should not be assessed because they believe that the improvements benefit the general public as a whole and not only the tenants and landowners within the ID-11 assessment area.

Chairperson Michael Goshi stated that the Authority will continue to look at the best ways to address safety concerns on Queen Street with the input, participation, and support of the community.