By NANCY COOK LAUER By NANCY COOK LAUER ADVERTISING Stephens Media Kona’s long-awaited skateboard park got a little more money to keep it rolling Friday, when the County Council voted 7-0 to take $35,000 from fair share contributions to finish
By NANCY COOK LAUER
Stephens Media
Kona’s long-awaited skateboard park got a little more money to keep it rolling Friday, when the County Council voted 7-0 to take $35,000 from fair share contributions to finish portions of the park at Makaeo, also known as Old Kona Airport Park.
The $35,000 will be combined with more than $50,000 raised by community groups to complete portions of the Makaeo Skateboard Park, specifically the keiki skateboard and stage sections and a portion of the intermediate skateboard area.
Ford introduced the amendment to the capital budget that allows the money to be used. Fair share is money developers are required to pay to help defray infrastructure expenses caused by their developments.
“The community has raised much, much more money than this,” Ford said.
Community partnerships have played a big role in an ambitious plan for Old Kona Airport Park, but the county can do only so much until the state transfers the 117-acre recreation and beach area to the county.
A 2009 master plan looks at a number of improvements for the area, including more restrooms and lockers, concessions, canoe halau, youth and senior centers, a 25-yard swimming pool, skate park , shared-use pedestrian and bicycle path and additional lawn and landscaped areas.
A major proposal calls for removal of the old runway and creation of a new beach access road with parking. The land to the north of the site, which houses a number of cultural resources, will remain undeveloped.
Funding for the proposed project, estimated to cost $42 million, hasn’t been secured. The project will be constructed in phases, as funding becomes available, over the course of 20 years. Construction and major development can’t begin without Special Management Area permits, issued by the Leeward Planning Commission and approval from appropriate agencies, county Parks and Recreation Director Bob Fitzgerald said in March.
The idea for the park came about following the opening of Kona International Airport in 1970.
Since then, the county has repeatedly proposed the state transfer the park to the county with no avail and most of the development plans drawn haven’t been implemented.
But council members seemed to think that every little bit helps.
“Congratulations to the community and Mrs. Ford for her foresight,” said North Kona Councilman Angel Pilago.
Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com.
