After the Aiea Sugar Mill was torn down in 1998, community members envisioned transforming the property into a gathering place that could feature senior housing and a community center.

More than a decade after the master plan for the city-owned site was developed, the community’s vision remains alive as some residents push for the project next to the new Aiea Public Library, which opened last year, and Aiea Intermediate School. They are seeking to preserve the historic area and turn it into a public space.

“For some of the younger kids, they think Aiea exists because of Pearlridge shopping center,” said Claire Tamamoto, president of the Aiea Community Association, which is leading the charge on the project. A community gathering place that serves all ages would help kids to “gain that mutual respect for the seniors. They start learning from them and vice versa. It’s just engaging, both sides engaging each other.”

The city began more than a decade ago to conceptualize the community’s vision but did not progress beyond the planning stages, said Jesse Broder Van Dyke, spokesman for Mayor Kirk Caldwell. He said the city’s new Office of Strategic Development “is pursuing the senior housing concept for the site.”

Aiea, once a plantation town centered around the sugar mill, is now home to about 9,300 residents. Nearly 42 percent of the population is 50 and older.

Tamamoto pointed to the area’s demographics as a reason why senior housing would be a good fit for the property.

“The older people, they provide history. They provide a reason why Aiea exists,” said Tamamoto. “The idea behind the senior housing is because our community is aging. … They don’t need the big house to take care of. But there’s not enough adequate facilities.”

In 2002 the city purchased 6.8 acres of land, which include a top and bottom parcel, at the former sugar mill site for about $8.9 million from Bank of Hawaii, a move that was seen by many as a step closer to the community’s vision becoming a reality. Residents had been trying to save the 100-year-old sugar mill site, but landowner Crazy Shirts demolished the mill in favor of plans for a light industrial park. Rising costs to clean up and redevelop the property led Bank of Hawaii to take over the site from Crazy Shirts.

A 2002 master plan developed for the city included plans for the “Aiea Town Center,” which could host a day care, community meeting rooms and classes, an art center, an open market, an outdoor performance area, and thrift and coffee or snack shops on the bottom parcel. Senior housing was suggested for the top parcel. The estimated cost at the time was about $6 million with completion envisioned in five to six years.

Plans to move forward with the project stalled due to a lack of funding and other projects and issues being given higher priority, Tamamoto said.

In an effort to continue discussions, the community association worked with University of Hawaii architecture and tropical plant and soil sciences students last year on updated renderings — which proposed some different uses from those in the original master plan for part of the site. Students studied and surveyed several elements, including demographics, history of the area, economics and other surrounding parks. Professor Andy Kaufman said the end result of an “ohana park” was unique and visionary.

Proposed uses for the multigenerational space included gardens, a senior exercise area, small retail shops and vendors, a children’s playground, a dog park, a performance and sports field, and a community center.

The renderings were displayed at the Aiea Public Library and Pearlridge Center, where residents were able to provide input. Ideas were also discussed at a community meeting in August.

Ron Mobley, second vice chairman of the Aiea Neighborhood Board, said he supports the general scope of the project but would like to hear more specifics about the plan. He added that one concern is providing enough parking at the site.

“We do need a senior center and a community center,” Mobley said. “I think that’s a good place for it.”

Baron Baroza, branch manger at the Aiea Public Library, which was part of the original master plan, said the project “would be very complementary to what we (at the library) do” and provide additional activities and space for students after school.

“If the community association or the city or whoever else decides to build something, it probably should be an area that’s useful that the public would enjoy,” Baroza said. “It would be quite an asset to the community.”