Downtown still wants its 'tot lot'
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
Construction of the Smith-Beretania park is nearly complete, but downtown residents are worried that a critical part of the project is being left out: the keiki play apparatus.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
"We have always envisioned the park as something for all the age groups: The volleyball/basketball shared court is for the teens and young adults, the seating is for the seniors and this tot lot would take care of the little kids," said Lynne Matusow, chairwoman of the Downtown Neighborhood Board. "It was the board's No. 1 priority. That's what we want."
Ironworker Ki Lovell works on the wrought-iron fence that will surround the new city park at Smith and Beretania streets. Money for the park's "tot lot," which was the Downtown Neighborhood Board's top priority, was left out of the mayor's 2003-04 budget request.
In September 2001, the city broke ground for the $7.6 million park, which will include 112 underground parking stalls to replace the parking spaces that previously occupied the 1.35-acre parcel. The parking garage greatly increased the cost of the project, but was added by Mayor Jeremy Harris following demands by area merchants.
In November 2001, the Downtown Neighborhood Board designated $100,000 for children's play equipment, for a "tot lot," as its top priority in the 2003 Capital Improvement Program requests.
Last year the board again made the tot lot its No. 1 construction budget request, but when Harris released his 2003-04 budget request to the City Council this month, the tot lot was nowhere to be found.
"We are trying to get it in the budget," Matusow said. "The tot lot was our first priority."
Matusow has written to City Council members Rod Tam and Ann Kobayashi in an attempt to have the tot lot funds restored to the budget so money would be available July 1, but admits it is not looking good.
"We did everything we were told to do," Matusow said. "The perfect time to (build) it is while they are still doing the construction. That is the point."
Last year the city cut the money allocated for community projects suggested by the 19 vision teams from $2 million to $1 million. The city also cut the 35 neighborhood boards' Capital Improvement Program funding from $1 million to $500,000.
The city told the boards that the money could be used to finish projects already started or for road resurfacing.
City spokeswoman Carol Costa said the tot lot is not in the Smith-Beretania park budget because it did not meet that criteria.
Costa said there is money in the budget for one play apparatus set to be installed in the downtown area, but city Parks Director Bill Balfour is against placing it at the Smith-Beretania park. Downtown residents have also requested a play apparatus at the proposed Pele Street park, Costa said.
"There is definitely going to be one in this district, it just has to be determined where," Costa said.
Balfour's department will hold a public meeting with residents to determine the best location, Costa said.
Matusow said funding for the tot lot does fit the criteria because it is finishing a project that was already started.
"The fact that we were told we have $500,000 and the mayor really wants our priority No. 3, the repaving of Queen Street, which is going to be $450,000, plus some electrical improvements at the Chinatown Gateway Plaza, which is going to be $50,000," she said.
Both of those items are in the budget.
Downtown residents have been waiting for the Smith-Beretania park for more than 20 years.
The city agreed to build the park in 1981 as part of an agreement with Charles A. Pankow Development Corp., which developed Honolulu Tower. The developer got approval to build another condominium, Honolulu Park Place. In exchange, the developer agreed to pay the city $6 million toward public underground parking, a park and community center across from the Honolulu Tower.
The city spent that money long ago on other projects.
The Smith-Beretania parking lot is expected to open in May and the park this summer.
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
