HART October 8th Community Meeting Review

Hi everyone, my name is Myles Ritchie and I am the program intern at TOC.

       On Wednesday, October 8th I attended the first of two HART community meetings scheduled in order to update the public on the design plans of the rail stations, with the goal of being as transparent as possible towards the public. 

Main points:

1)Concept designs of the rail stations beginning at Ala Moana to Pearl Highlands.

2)The opportunity for various community members to give their input on the project and have their questions answered. 

3) Workshops offered after the presentation in order to give those in attendance a much more detailed showing of the station of their preference.

       During the Q&A period, concerns raised by the audience weren't focused on the rail stations, but rather the budget concerns with the overall project.  Although these questions regarding the budget deflected in favor of returning to the meeting's topics of station design, the audience seemed determined to receive answers to the questions.

       Although traffic and other interesting points were highlighted at the meeting, there was no mention of tree placement and other vegetation along the rail's guideway and support columns.  Instead, HART focused on various art installations around the stations.  The Outdoor Circle acknowledges the value of art and art education, but will continue to encourage a more balanced approach to include native vegetation. 

Future points discussion:

1) How HART will keep the rail stations “clean, green and beautiful” as the project moves forward.

2) How HART will maintain useful community spaces along and around the guideway.

3) How reshaping the rail budget will impact the aesthetic design of the project.

If you are interested in getting involved in the HART, please feel free to email me.

Mahalo,

Myles Ritchie

October 9th, 2014