CITY SEEKS PHOTOS OF COMMUNITY’S ‘WISHES’

News Release from City and County of Honolulu November 13, 2013

The city is inviting residents to submit photos of what they want to see near their neighborhood rail stations as part of the transit-oriented development (TOD) “I Wish…” vision campaign.

The campaign will give residents and businesses a chance to share what they’d like in their neighborhoods, whether it’s a park, building, street, gathering place, or activity. People also can snap a photo of something in their neighborhood that they think should be improved.

To help people visualize their neighborhood scene, the Department of Planning and Permitting and partner Better Block Hawaii have placed cardboard “I Wish…” picture frames with instructions at area coffee shops and businesses. For more information, see www.todhonolulu.org or visit TOD Honolulu on Facebook. Pictures can be taken with or without the cardboard frames.

The photos can be posted on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook (using the hashtag #todhonoluluwishes), or emailed to betterblockhawaii@gmail.com, with a caption that completes the phrase: “I wish ____(your idea) near the ____(your neighborhood) station.”

Some of the photos will be on display at the “Making TOD Happen” symposium set for 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday at the NealBlaisdellCenter. All of the pictures and ideas will be considered by city planners in the development and implementation of TOD Neighborhood Plans.

“This is an innovative way of connecting with as many people as possible to create livable, walkable, safe communities,” said Harrison Rue, Community Building and TOD Administrator. “For those who won’t be able to make it to the symposium, this is our way of reaching out to them and asking them what they want to see in their neighborhoods.”

The symposium will feature local and national experts who will share their TOD experiences. Participants will also be asked to offer their thoughts on potential park improvements that will be set up on the Blaisdell lawn.

The symposium is free and open to the public, although registration is required. To sign up for the event, visit www.todhonolulu2013.eventbrite.com.

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