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Downtown area
may see cultural,
arts district

The idea is to combine business
and culture, making a
thriving community

By Steve Murray
Star-Bulletin

A group of architects, artists and city officials is looking at bringing the glitz of SoHo or the sizzle of the French Quarter to Honolulu.

The group -- sponsored by the Hawaii Theatre, the Hawaii chapter of the the American Institute of Architects and Communications-Pacific -- was to meet today and tomorrow to generate ideas for a Honolulu Cultural & Arts District.

Liz Olsen, a spokeswoman at Communications-Pacific, said about 40 people were to gather at the Hawaii Theatre to discuss ideas ranging from landscaping to parking and possible building renovations.

The district area is centered around the Hawaii Theatre from Smith Street to Fort Street Mall and the waterfront to Beretania Street.

Olsen said places like SoHo in New York and the French Quarter in New Orleans have successfully combined art, entertainment and culture with business to produce thriving communities that appeal to residents and visitors.

"The area is already home to many galleries and cultural sites," she said.

AIA President Charles Erhorn said the meeting is an "exercise in exploring innovative ideas for the area."

It is not known what architectural style would dominate the Honolulu District, but something distinctive like the French Quarter's mix of Southern Colonial, French and Creole style and the art deco of Miami's South Beach may serve as examples, organizers said.

Erhorn would not call the project a revitalizing effort but said it is hoped that more people would be drawn to the area. He pointed to the "block parties" as an example of successful ideas that combine business and culture.

Once the brainstorming is complete, the project could move in almost any direction, said Rosemary Rowan, a senior planner at Belt Collins Hawaii.

"Many models may work," she said. "It may continue with interested landowners, private organizations and business development organizations."

Rowan said it is most likely the project would be privately funded but that some items may require county involvement.