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Other than some political campaign promises and vague speculative talk, the concept of “public-private partnerships” has yielded zilch to help fund and build Oahu’s overbudget rail transit system. Now the rail project’s agency is hoping that spending some consultant money on this “P3” approach will be a worthwhile investment. So, too, does the Oahu taxpayer, which is looking at a project that could total $10 billion.
A $325,000 contract has just been awarded to Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors to conduct a “market sounding/feasibility study” on building the final 4.3 miles of guideway and stations in the “City Center” section, from Middle Street to Ala Moana Center. The firm will recommend what type of P3 model, if any, would work best for the remaining design and construction, for implementing transit-oriented development, and for operations and maintenance. Just hope for the best.
Postal Service retires old Lihue Post Office
Despite delivery of hundreds of “Save Our Lihue Post Office” letters and postcards — as well as scores of coconuts emblazoned with messages of support — the town fixture’s fate is now sealed. The U.S. Postal Service is slated to relocate the operation at a carrier annex facility next to Lihue Airport. The move is understandable, given that financial and efficiency issues have resulted in thousands of branch closures nationwide in recent years. Here’s hoping the next owner will appreciate and preserve the Lihue branch’s charming Territorial-era architecture.