Town Revitalization Program

At a glance

What: Bill 204 would establish a Town Revitalization Program offering up to $1,000,000 annually in grants and other financial assistance for improvements to eligible buildings and areas, with a non-profit procured by the Director of Research and Development to administer the grants.
Where it stands: On 2026-11-05 the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development amended Bill 204 into a 5-year pilot with $250,000 a year (7-0), then failed to approve it as amended, 4-3; the bill is to go forward with a negative recommendation.
Next: First reading at Council.

Reference: Comm. 1122; introduced by Council Member Ashley Lehualani Kierkiewicz.
Amendment (communication 1122.2): 5-year pilot repealed afterward unless Council acts; $250,000 appropriated annually; loan language removed; cash contribution required; documentation before disbursement; reporting extended by 15 days.
Dennis Ling said Research and Development supports the program. Jennifer Kagiwada said the department should bring in money rather than give it out of the general fund.

Bill 204 taken up after Bill 207 with no testimony. Amendment to a 5-year, $250,000-a-year pilot passed 7-0. The motion to forward as amended failed 4-3 (ayes James E. Hustace, Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, Dennis Onishi, Ashley Lehualani Kierkiewicz; noes Jennifer Kagiwada, Heather L. Kimball, Michelle Galimba), and the bill goes forward with a negative recommendation.