Plan puts more ‘living’ into Ward

General Growth envisions up to 80% as residential areas

STORY SUMMARY » | READ THE FULL STORY

General Growth Properties is planning to put in a substantial amount of "live" into the "live, work, play" equation so often touted as the state's mantra for Kakaako.

In its Ward Neighborhood Master Plan, General Growth envisions transforming up to 80 percent of the 60-acre Ward community for residential use, with the balance in retail, commercial and office uses.

The plan, outlined in broad terms in February, was to be presented to the state Hawaii Community Development Authority this morning.

The agency has 200 days to review and approve it, a process that will include a public hearing.

The plan presented today calls for up to 4,300 more residential units in the form of high-rises, mid-rises, townhomes and lofts and a minimum of 9,600 parking spaces.

General Growth says it plans to target a mix of buyers with a variety of incomes.

As part of the overall 20-year master plan, most, if not all, of the existing buildings in the Ward neighborhood would be replaced to make way for the new vision.

A grand, central plaza two and a half football fields long will connect Queen Street to Kewalo Basin in the first phase. Auahi Street would be transformed into a promenade inspired by Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, the company says.

Ward Master Plan General Growth's vision for Ward over the next 20 years Theme: A central plaza flanked by two public plazas offering more than 5 acres, with Auahi Street as a pedestrian-friendly promenade. Development mix: Up to 80 percent residential use (as many as 4,300 units) with some 9,600 parking stalls, along with retail and commercial space. Master plan team: Development Design Group (urban design), Sasaki Associates (landscape architects), ARUP (transportation), Belt Collins Hawaii (civil engineering). Web site: www.wardneighborhood.com Source: General Growth Properties

---

FULL STORY »

General Growth Properties is planning a major residential component in its plans for the Ward area over the next 20 years, with homes eventually accounting for as much as 80 percent of the community.

The company's Ward Master Plan envisions transforming the 60-acre community with high-rises, mid-rises, townhomes or lofts, with the remainder in retail, commercial and office uses.

The homes would be aimed at a broad mix of buyers from all different income levels. Parking would be increased to a minimum of 9,600 stalls.

General Growth was scheduled to present the full plan -- which it had outlined in general terms in February -- to the Hawaii Community Development Authority this morning.

HCDA has 200 days to review and approve it, a process that will include a public hearing.

General Growth has painted a vision of an urban village with "smart growth" principles, offering public spaces, mauka-to-makai view corridors and various transportation modes.

It adopted HCDA's mantra of "live, work, play," but the plan being presented today is making "live" a big part of the equation.

"Here will be a place to raise a family or to grow an international business," General Growth said in its master plan. "Residents and visitors -- people of all ages and incomes -- will be part of an exciting community that captures the entrepreneurial spirit of Kakaako and transforms it into a place that will be different from any other urban destination worldwide."

The new master plan would replace most, if not all, of the existing buildings, including Ward Warehouse, Ward Centre and Ward Farmers Market, over 20 years.

As envisioned, the 3.25-acre Central Plaza stretches from a retail anchor at Queen Street down the length of two and a half football fields to Ala Moana Beach Park and Kewalo Basin.

Slated for the first phase of development, possibly two years after the plan is approved, the plaza would serve as the community's outdoor living room, offering places to stroll, shop and dine.

The central plaza would be flanked by two other plazas, one on the Diamond Head side and one on the Ewa side.

AUAHI LAS RAMBLAS

General Growth hopes to transform Auahi Street into a new promenade evoking Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain, or Santana Row in San Jose, Calif.

It would connect all three plazas, carrying two lanes of car traffic, parallel parking and bicycle lanes shaded by a canopy of trees.

General Growth envisions underground utilities and lush landscaping, along with lampposts and benches conforming to an "aesthetically pleasing set of design standards."

According to current density guidelines, General Growth could build up to 4,300 more residential units. Under current rules, 20 percent of them, or 860 units, would have to target those making 140 percent of the median income.

Most of the Ward properties are zoned for mixed commercial and residential use. The height limit for Kakaako mauka residential projects is 400 feet.

Calling its planned project a "new vibrant urban core," General Growth says it promises to set a new standard for an integrated lifestyle for the entire region.

People would live in the center of all the action, within a five- to 10-minute walk to supermarkets, professional services and parks.

A proposed rail transit station on Queen Street is included in the master plan.

Once a working-class neighborhood rezoned to industrial in the 1950s, Kakaako then became home to low-rise shopping centers starting in the 1970s. General Growth acquired the Ward properties in 2002.

Ward Village Shops, currently under construction, is expected to become home to the flagship store of Whole Foods Market in 2009.