Renovations to the state’s largest public housing project, Kuhio Park Terrace and Kuhio Homes, will kick off today with a groundbreaking ceremony.

Two private developers working with the state are beginning renovation work on the 46-year-old twin

16-story towers to be rebranded The Towers at Kuhio Park. The initial phase of the work will cost $135 million.

The developers, New Jersey-based The Michaels Development Co. and Seattle-based Vitus Group, have an agreement with the state to upgrade the 748-unit public housing project in Kalihi over 10 years at a cost of $316 million, which will include renovating the 14 low-rise buildings comprising Kuhio Homes and building 276 new market-level and affordable rentals.

As part of the arrangement, Michaels Development will own the buildings and lease the land from the state. No public housing units will be lost.