Residents Voice Concern About Target Moving Into Kailua
Construction Expected To Start 2011HONOLULU -- At a meeting Tuesday night, Kailua residents received the news many in the room didn’t want to hear.
A Target representative explained to the packed room, the company’s plans to open where Don Quijote is currently located in the middle of Kailua town.
The majority of residents opposed the chain store moving into Kailua, but there were some residents who welcome Target in their neighborhood.
“If you live in Kailua, Don Quijote sells they offer a lot of things you can’t find anywhere else unless you want to go to Chinatown or like where am I going to find a bamboo steamer at 10 p.m.,” said Kailua resident Steve Parker.
Many residents fear the big box store will draw heavy traffic, which residents said the roads aren’t capable of handling.
But Eric Padget, a spokesperson for Target assured the crowd the company is conducting a traffic study to determine how traffic congestion can be reduced.
Amid those against Target moving into Kailua, was a longtime Kailua resident who welcomes the store.
“I still think its going to be very good for Kailua. It’s going to provide jobs people need them here. I love what they’re doing with this huge parking lot and turning it into something appealing,” said Sandra Kelley.
The company plans to start demolishing the Don Quijote building, along with several other stores in the strip mall, in the summer and be ready to open in the summer of 2011.
The company expects to hire 250 to 300 employees. Target said Don Quijote employees will not get preference.
There is no word yet on when Don Quijote will close.
No comments:
Post a Comment