Hotel idea is floated for public housing site
2011 June 17_ CTY Hot Water 16_a hot water backup system was recently completed at Mayor Wright homes in Kalihi. Solar panels and tanks have been installed on the roofs of the project. Honolulu Star-Advertiser photo by FL Morris
Developers working on redevelopment of Mayor Wright Homes have suggested a hotel could help pay for the changes to the aging housing project.
Hunt Cos., McCormack Baron Salazar and Vitus Group were selected by the state to rebuild Mayor Wright, which was constructed in 1953.
The low-income public housing complex has been plagued in recent years by problems such as violence and a lack of hot water.
State officials who must negotiate a development deal on the project’s 21 acres expressed doubts about a hotel as part of the redevelopment. It will be considered only if developers greatly increased the number of low-income housing units they plan to build, according to the director of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.
"But in any business transaction we don’t rule out every single thing," said Hakim Ouansafi. "If the developer can build us a couple of thousand affordable units … we’ll certainly sit down and talk about it."
The developers plan to knock down all 364 units and build more than 1,200 low- and moderate-income homes plus retail space.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
Some see demand for a hotel. A rail transit system nearby is to be completed in 2019.
"Most (low-income) housing in the state of Hawaii … if there’s a way to cross-subsidize within the project it’s OK," said state Rep. Karl Rhoads. "But if it’s just a way for the developer to make more money and not provide the affordable housing we need, then I’m skeptical."
