Posted on: Thursday, August 8, 2002

Varona Village still waiting for private developer

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

'EWA VILLAGES — City officials continue to bring down dilapidated homes in Varona Village for health and safety reasons, but have no solid commitment yet from a private developer to build a proposed community center there.

The city, which this month began tearing down about 20 Varona homes in poor condition, said it is looking for a private developer to commit to the proposed Varona Village Community Services Project, which would include a day-care center for children and seniors, and possibly classrooms for preschool and other programs. The site could also include ball courts and other recreational facilities.

The city earlier this spring completed a final environmental assessment report for the project.

City managing director Ben Lee said the city is also trying to clear the old houses in Varona because of reports of criminal activity there.

"We'd also like to market the property to prospective developers by improving the appearance of the area," Lee said. "We've done a lot to remove the refuse and garbage from the area in the last couple of years."

The city's plan now for the 27-acre Varona Village is to develop 14 acres in the eastern portion for the community services project and leave the remaining 13 acres in the western section for existing housing.

Randy Wong of the city Department of Community Services said so far there is no commitment from a private group to help build the Varona community center, which could be partially paid for through community development block grants. At one time, a group called the Friendship Community Services Inc. from the nearby Friendship Bible Church of 'Ewa was pushing for the project, but it has yet to make a financial commitment.

Wong said Varona Village residents recently formed their own community association to look at ways to pay for renovations to older homes. The city is still offering area tenants the opportunity to rent-to-own refurbished units in other parts of 'Ewa Villages.

"None of the Varona tenants at any time will be evicted," Lee said.

Meanwhile, the city will dedicate a new comfort station and parking lot at 6 tonight at 'Ewa Mahiko Community Park in 'Ewa Villages. The park improvement project is part of a plan to revitalize the area near the old sugar mill at 'Ewa Villages, Lee said.