A plan to create an eclectic retail complex by renovating a hodgepodge of old buildings on a block in Kakaako is expected to come into sharper focus during a public presentation and hearing before a state agency next week.

The Kamehameha Schools project dubbed SALT began evolving in pieces on the block bordered by Ala Moana Boulevard and Coral, Keawe and Auahi streets over the last year.

Now the trust is seeking certain approvals from the Hawaii Community Development Authority for aspects of the plan, including building a six-story parking garage higher than the standard height limit.

HCDA, the state agency regulating development in Kakaako, has scheduled a public hearing that involves a presentation and public testimony on SALT for 10 a.m. July 3 in its office conference room at 461 Cooke St.

Kamehameha Schools is seeking to build the parking garage with six levels rising 65 feet, or above the 45-foot base height limit in the area that avoids triggering special provisions associated with high-rise projects that may go up to 400 feet. Including signage and other ancillary components, parts of the structure will reach 79 feet.

The trust said in its permit application that a taller parking garage will allow the structure with 267 stalls to be slimmer and lined with retail, cafe and restaurant space that makes the street frontage more inviting.

Kamehameha Schools also is seeking approval to allow small portions of altered buildings to extend to the property line in alignment with existing structures on the block.

The amount of leasable space in the project is about 84,000 square feet and is envisioned for 35 to 50 tenants, including some existing tenants on the property such as The Whole Ox Deli and Hank’s Haute Dogs.

SALT is the first piece in a Kame­ha­meha Schools master plan for redeveloping nine blocks covering 29 acres that the trust owns in Kakaako.

An initial phase of SALT, which is named after salt production operations that once existed in the area, converted an old office building into 54 studio loft rental apartments last year. The trust also renovated an adjacent building in which it has opened an information center for the master plan.

Another piece of the master plan moving forward is a condominium tower called The Collection planned by local developer Alexander & Baldwin Inc. on a block immediately Ewa of SALT.

A&B is buying the Collection parcel that was once occupied by a Comp­USA store, and expects to begin sales this summer followed by construction possibly next year. An initial public hearing for The Collection project took place Wednesday.