Dowling Company Project Manager Brian Ige (from left), Mayor Michael Victorino, Hawaiian Dredging Project Superintendent Zachary Murr and county Redevelopment Program Planner Erin Wade break ground on the new Wailuku Parking Structure on Thursday. County of Maui / SHANE TEGARDEN photo
Maui News: https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2021/02/county-breaks-ground-on-wailuku-parking-structure/
A blessing ceremony was held Thursday to mark the official start of construction of a four-level, 428-stall parking structure that will replace the current Wailuku Municipal Parking Lot.
The new Wailuku Parking Structure will feature 428 parking stalls, electric vehicle charging stations, high ceilings, lighting, two elevators and will be ADA compliant. The facility was also designed to support farmers markets and festivals on the ground level.
“This parking structure will double capacity of the Wailuku Municipal Parking Lot, and so it will be much more convenient for us to support our local Wailuku businesses,” Mayor Michael Victorino said in a news release Thursday. “Having convenient, central parking will help Wailuku Town grow into an arts and heritage district with Iao Theater and surrounding historic buildings at its heart. Wailuku is on its way to restoring its former glory.”
The parking structure was first proposed as part of a larger project, the $80 million Wailuku Civic Complex, a multistory facility that was to include offices, community rooms, a market and an outdoor plaza space. However, the project came under fire from both county officials and residents concerned that it was too expensive and too large for small-town Wailuku. The Maui County Council mulled defunding the project in 2019 but ultimately decided not to.
According to the news release, construction of the new parking structure will occur in two phases. The access driveway from Market Street and connections into the businesses surrounding the parking lot will be developed in the initial phase while leaving a portion of the municipal parking lot in operation.
The entire municipal lot will be closed once the initial phase is complete around late June or early July. The new parking structure is anticipated to be completed in June 2022.
Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company is the general contractor and Dowling Company will serve as the construction manager.
For the latest construction updates, a list of parking locations and information on the county’s free shuttle transportation to and from Wailuku, visit www.WailukuLive.com.
