A planned rail transit station next to Honolulu Community College and a $32 million technology center are being incorporated into a new master plan for the 25-acre campus in Kalihi.

“;There's excitement about the city's planned transit station and how that could become a gateway to the campus,”; said Tom Fee, a consultant with Helber Hastert & Fee, the company hired under a $234,000 contract to help the community college develop a long-range development plan. “;It would just be an incredible front door to the campus.”;

Fee said there has not been any new construction since the campus center and library were completed in the late 1970s.

However, plans are being drawn up for a six-story Advanced Technology Training Center on campus. About $3.4 million in planning and design money was appropriated for the building, but the campus must go back to the Legislature for construction money.

“;Our science building was built in 1963,”; said Ken Kato, vice chancellor of administrative services for the college. “;Hopefully we can get a facility that is state of the art that will better teach our students.”;

The new building will help students who are hoping to transfer to four-year colleges, and could also house computer training programs.

The last time the campus master plan was updated was 10 years ago. The idea is to talk with faculty, students and community members about the needs for the campus and where new development will go.

Other projects being considered include parking structures and a child care center, which would serve students and staff and also be used for the school's child care training program.

Discussions about the master plan are in the early stages. HCC officials met with the Kalihi/Palama Neighborhood Board in February and held a workshop on campus last month.

Darren Ng, a member of the neighborhood board, said he would like to see the area along the Kapalama Canal beautified and something done with the vacant lot where an old incinerator was torn down years ago.

Rodolfo Ibay, another neighborhood board member, said he supports development of the campus. “;I think it might improve the Kalihi community,”; he said.

The plan will be submitted to the city for approval in the fall and to the Board of Regents in January.