Development plans for the former Aiea Sugar Mill site will be tweaked to comply with federal restrictions that came with the money used to buy the property, but community stakeholders and officials continue to move forward nearly 15 years after work began on a master plan.

A community center and senior housing or an assisted-living facility were envisioned in original development plans.

The majority of funds used to purchase the 6.8 acres of land on two parcels next to the new Aiea Public Library were from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 program — oriented toward assisting low-income families and individuals with rental housing. HUD officials said at a meeting Wednesday that the types of development permitted on the property would be restricted. Senior housing, rather than assisted-living facilities, was suggested.

The community’s vision for the “Aiea Town Center” was outlined in a 2002 master plan, which recommended a day care, community meeting rooms and classes, an art center and an outdoor performance area on one parcel. Independent senior living or an assisted-living facility was suggested for the second parcel.

Residents had tried to preserve the 100-year-old sugar mill, but it was demolished in 1998 by landowner Crazy Shirts in favor of a light industrial park. The property was later taken over by Bank of Hawaii, and eventually the city purchased the land for about $8.9 million.

An updated plan developed by University of Hawaii students in 2014 included the idea of a multigenerational or “ohana” park. Students proposed gardens, a senior exercise area, a children’s playground and a dog park as some uses for one parcel.

Wednesday’s meeting was organized by state Rep. Sam Kong (D, Halawa-Aiea-Newtown). Government officials, as well as members from the Aiea Community Association, agreed that residents need to work with the city to draft a request for proposals to seek developers.

Association President Claire Tamamoto said she hopes to gather a core group of community stakeholders to tweak the plan and then work with the city on an RFP.

“The community plan is a living plan. It will change,” Tamamoto said. “But the basics of the plan are the same.”

Sandra Pfund, chief of the city’s Office of Strategic Development, said she will work with community members to create a revised plan and RFP. She added that the property is zoned industrial, so it would need to be rezoned by the City Council or through a city program that allows certain exemptions for housing projects that offer a majority of affordable units.

“We want to be sure that the next vision is what they (residents) want to see,” Pfund said.

Mark Chandler, director of HUD’s office of community planning and development in Hawaii, said federal officials would need to see more details before giving approval.

“This isn’t a hard project with what Aiea wants,” Chandler said. “I think Aiea has done a good job.”

Tamamoto said although the more than 20-year process from trying to save the sugar mill to finishing plans for the property has been frustrating, the end product will be worth it.

“As long as it’s done right, we can wait. You have to appreciate what you have,” Tamamoto said. “We sold them on a dream. People should be able to dream and see what happens.”