The Vice President of Administration for KTA Super Stores issues the following statement yesterday:
"It is our intention to make improvements to the property. We evaluated many different options and concluded that additional parking for our store would be in our best interest. Currently, we are in the preliminary planning phase. Our consultants are working with the appropriate county departments (i.e. building, planning, fire, etc.) to ensure we comply with current codes and unique restrictions of the downtown area."
This has been rumored for a long time and its very true that the KTA store in downtown is desperately in need of more parking. While it is sad to see an older building come down, right across the street a very old (and previously somewhat derelict) building is getting a much-needed facelift.
Parking in downtown Hilo is always an issue -- especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the Farmer's Market is at its busiest. The addition of additional parking for KTA will also impact traffic on Mamo Street because often there are a number of cars waiting and stopping traffic on Mamo waiting to turn into KTA, due to the lack of parking.
The changes could begin as soon as June. At least one of the tenants of the existing building has been told that they may have to be out by the end of May. One is already vacating and the third is awaiting final word from KTA headquarters as to when they should plan to be out.
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