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Frequently Asked Questions
| Q: What area comprises the Ward Neighborhood project? |
| A: The Ward Neighborhood area comprises roughly 60 acres in the heart of urban Honolulu, bordered on the mauka side by Queen Street and Halekauwila Street, on the Diamond Head end by Queen Lane and residential towers, on the ‘Ewa side generally by Ohe Lane, and on the makai side by Ala Moana Boulevard. Smaller parcels are located between Queen and Waimanu Streets and on the corner of Kapi'olani Boulevard and Ward Avenue. |
| Q: What will be in the first phase and when will construction start? |
| A: Because this plan will be implemented over more than 20 years, there may be as many as 10-15 phases. The first phase, which will probably include a portion of the Central Plaza, could begin in about two years after the plan is approved. The Central Plaza is planned to be more than 700 feet, or two and a half football fields long, and about 200 feet wide and can be a public gathering place and home to festivals, farmers markets and performances. In addition, Auahi Street improvements and beautification are planned. |
| Q: What are your plans for open space? |
| A: Public spaces, parks and plazas are an integral part of the vision for the Ward Neighborhood. More than 5 acres will be set aside for three main public spaces, with Auahi Street also being planned as a major landscaped public promenade. |
| Q: Current residents and tenants are concerned about years of on-going construction. How do you plan to handle the situation? |
| A: We understand their concerns and will be sensitive to the needs of residents and tenants as we proceed with construction of each phase. |
| Q: Will all existing buildings be torn down? |
| A: Yes, eventually most, if not all, of the current physical structures will be replaced with new buildings. Many of the existing buildings have outlived their original intent and will need to be replaced sooner than others, but this will all occur in gradual phasing over 20+ years. |
| Q: Are there going to be a large number of high-rise buildings? Will views be blocked? |
| A: We are engaged in a very careful planning process that puts a high premium on the preservation of the beautiful mauka to makai view corridors. Of course, some of our residential and commercial development will necessitate building towers; but in the end this preserves more land for open space and creates an attractive urban environment, rather than allowing sprawl to occur. |
| Q: Isn't GGP primarily interested in retail development? |
| A: Although GGP is best known for retail shopping developments, in recent years it has become a national leader in the development of mixed use and master planned communities. With GGP's acquisition of The Rouse Company in 2004, the company’s portfolio grew with such projects as Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, South Street Seaport in New York, New York and Bayside Marketplace in Miami, Florida. Its master planned communities include: Summerlin, Nevada; The Woodlands and Bridgeland in Texas; and Columbia, Maryland – which together have tens of thousands of private residences developed, along with commercial and retail buildings. We also have in our company’s senior management people with decades of experience in master planned communities. |
| Q: What type of residential units are being planned? Will local people be able to afford to live here? |
| A: We are planning a mix of residential units – from high-rise and mid-rise residential towers to townhouses to lofts. Our goal is to attract a diverse mix of residents—young professionals, families, seniors and others with a diverse range of incomes—to constitute a dynamic and socially vibrant new neighborhood. |
| Q: What is the total number of residential units planned? |
| A: The Ward Neighborhood could ultimately include more than 4,000 residential units, with at least 20% set aside as reserved housing units for families of a specified income. Our plan for the Ward Neighborhood reflects a smart growth strategy that would allow people to live, work and shop in a concentrated area without relying on cars and long commutes to get around. |
| Q: How many affordable units are planned? |
| A: We will set aside at least 20% of the residential units for families at 140% of median income and below. If we build more than 4,000 units, this would be more than 800 units for these families. |
| Q: When will the sales for residential units start? |
| A: After the Master Plan is approved, we will begin design work on the initial phases of the plan. We anticipate this will take approximately 12-18 months. Residential units may be a part of this first phase. |
| Q: What are your plans for schools in the area? |
| A: HCDA's plan includes a site for an elementary school, to be located near Mother Waldron Park. We support development of a school at this site and consider it an essential aspect of community building. |
| Q: What will happen to the current retailers and tenants as construction begins? |
| A: As we plan each phase, we will work with the tenants to see if there is a place for them in the new project or to assist them with finding a new home. It is our goal to preserve the unique character of Ward Centers and build upon and enhance the experience that our customers enjoy today. |
| Q: Ward Centers is currently a popular destination for local residents. Are you planning to change the tenant mix? |
| A: Ward Centers is unique mix of shopping, dining and entertainment options that has an appealing and distinctive character all its own. We value this character and want to continue to distinguish Ward Centers as a place where residents enjoy shopping, dining and being with friends. Ward will likely continue to have a mix of local and national retailers, as it does now. |
| Q: Are you keeping the Farmers Market? |
| A: As the years have progressed, the Farmers Market has become more of a retail area and less of a true “farmers market”. We anticipate that the new Central Plaza can be a home for a true farmers market where local farmers and entrepreneurs can sell their goods in an open market setting. |
| Q: How do you plan to address the traffic impact? Have you done a traffic study? |
A: It is our goal to create an environment where people will prefer to walk, bike or use public transit rather than use their cars to get from place to place. However, people will also come to visit Ward Neighborhood as a destination and we recognize that Ward Avenue and Ala Moana Boulevard are already congested with traffic. We have planned a number of internal streets so cars entering and exiting the central parking garages can be funneled to these streets, rather than directly on to Ward and Ala Moana.
We are currently working with a transportation consultant on this project and will continue to work with them and the county as projects within the Master Plan progress. Ease of access is an important part of making Ward Neighborhood a desirable place to live, and to visit. |
| Q: Are you extending Auahi Street? |
| A: The Hawaii Community Development Authority’s Mauka Area Plan proposes the extension of Auahi Street to connect with Pohukaina Street. |
| Q: Ala Moana Boulevard is a natural barrier between the Ward property and the waterfront. What can be done about it? |
| A: It’s important to establish connections between Ward Neighborhood and the waterfront and we will work with the State Department of Transportation, HCDA and the City to review options. Improving ease of pedestrian access across Ala Moana Boulevard can help in this regard. |
| Q: What is the status of Queen Street improvements? |
| A: Queen Street is under HCDA’s jurisdiction, but we understand that the improvements planned for Queen Street between Ward and Kamakee Streets will not move forward at this time and that construction funds set aside for the project have lapsed. |
| Q: What are your plans for transit oriented development? |
| A: Incorporating transit into Ward Neighborhood is an essential part of our vision. By establishing residential properties, we can create a market for transit service. The current draft of the Ward Neighborhood Plan indicates a transit station on Queen Street. This City is planning to release a draft Environmental Impact Statement in Fall 2008 and is in the process of reviewing the technology for the transit line. |
| Q: What are your plans for parking? |
| A: We are planning to add adequate parking throughout all phases. Equally important, we plan to make the area significantly more pedestrian and bicycle friendly -- and to incorporate mass transit -- all of which help reduce the demand for parking. A new parking structure associated with the development of the Whole Foods site will offer 800 new stalls by late 2008. |
| Q: When is Whole Foods opening? |
| A: The opening of Whole Foods is planned for January 2009. A new parking structure associated with the development of the site will offer 800 new stalls by late 2008. |
| Q: The original plans for the Ward Village site (ewa end of the project site) included a residential tower. What is status of that residential tower? |
| With the discovery of iwi kupuna (human burial remains) under the core of the proposed residential tower site and the State’s determination that these should be preserved in place, we are reviewing our options in close consultation with recognized cultural descendants. Cultural sensitivity is essential and we want to seek culturally appropriate solutions in coordination with the cultural descendants, State Historic Preservation Division, and the Oahu Island Burial Council. |
| Q: Given the controversy over iwi kupuna discoveries at the Ward Village Site, how are you able to create a master plan? |
| A: As we have proceeded with approved construction incorporating additional pro-active archaeological monitoring measures, no additional iwi kupuna have been discovered within the past few months. We are consulting regularly with the recognized cultural descendants, State Historic Preservation Division, and the Oahu Island Burial Council over and beyond legal requirements. We will continue to work closely with them to seek their input on the Ward Villages Project as well as the GGP Master Plan. In addition, we will be engaging in extensive archaeological and cultural research during the planning of the proposed 60 acres included in the GGP Master Plan. Appropriate cultural protocols will be followed in the master plan. |
| Q: What are your plans for light industrial in the area? |
| A: Our plans are always evolving, but currently the focus is on building residential, commercial and retail spaces in the community. There may be need for storage areas in conjunction with retail spaces. We will review these needs as we move forward with development. |
| Q. Will residents of neighboring communities and other interested parties have an opportunity to participate in discussions about proposals for Ward neighborhood development? |
| A. Yes. GGP executives have already conducted dozens of public meetings with organizations, community leaders and others. A community open house was held in March and all neighboring residents were invited to attend, many of whom did. In the future, GGP plans additional public meetings and the state's Hawaii Community Development Authority will also conduct meetings where there will be ample opportunity for public input. |
| Q: How can I stay informed on the progress? |
| A: Updated information will be available here on the web site. Also, please send us your e-mail address and register your interest. We will be planning public involvement and communication on a regular basis. |
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