Public input crucial about 650-foot tower

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 16, 2012

~~<p>An Ohio-based developer is a state agency's unanimous choice for building a housing skyscraper on state land in Kakaako, but questions about its height and other issues remain unresolved. Public involvement has been slight and is needed in the homestretch to help decide whether the building should be far taller than the 400-foot limit and the highest in Hawaii, as first proposed by the winning bidder.</p>
<p>The Hawaii Community Development Authority's directors have chosen Forest City Enterprises Inc. to build a $293 million tower with 804 rental apartments in Kakaako, instead of a for-sale condominium model proposed by Australian-based company Lend Lease. At this stage, that choice is a sound one to provide housing for individuals and families that are in no situation to buy a home.</p>
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An Ohio-based developer is a state agency's unanimous choice for building a housing skyscraper on state land in Kakaako, but questions about its height and other issues remain unresolved. Public involvement has been slight and is needed in the homestretch to help decide whether the building should be far taller than the 400-foot limit and the highest in Hawaii, as first proposed by the winning bidder.

The Hawaii Community Development Authority's directors have chosen Forest City Enterprises Inc. to build a $293 million tower with 804 rental apartments in Kakaako, instead of a for-sale condominium model proposed by Australian-based company Lend Lease. At this stage, that choice is a sound one to provide housing for individuals and families that are in no situation to buy a home. Login for more...