Honolulu Rail Benefits from Parcel Purchase
The City and County of Honolulu announced that a purchase and sale agreement has been reached to acquire a 1.9 acre parcel that is adjacent to the city’s Middle Street Transit Center in Kalihi-Kai from owner Yee Hop Realty, Limited. The Middle Street Transit Center has long been targeted for expansion to improve efficiencies and the addition of the Honolulu rail system to the transportation network.
“This is an important step forward in continuing to build our multimodal transportation infrastructure,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “This property will play an integral role in making sure the people of O‘ahu are able to move from the Rail to the Bus and other transportation options safely and smoothly. There are many challenges still ahead, but we continue to work to make sure the Rail project is completed to its full 20 miles and 21 stations, and this is a big step in that direction.”
“The acquisition of the two-acre private property within the Middle Street Transit Center makes perfect sense,” added Councilmember Joey Manahan. “The parcel was landlocked with no access except through the transit center, now it can be utilized to modernize the facility to further integrate bus with rail. The acquisition was done using federal funds, without the use of city funds, making it a real bonus for the city.”
The Middle Street Transit Center is the hub and spoke network for the bus transit system, the Handivan paratransit program facilities, service bays, and parking. The city had previously attempted to acquire the 1.9 acre parcel to meet expansion and redevelopment goals which have now become even more critical with rail. The city’s recent outreach to the owner of the property has resulted in a successful negotiation and agreement for acquisition.
The City will purchase the property with Federal Transit Authority (FTA) funding for the purchase price of $20,600,000. The City will complete the purchase of the property before the end of the year.
