Unique for its proposed height, a Kakaako high-rise tabbed for work force housing should restore Governor Neil Abercrombie’s promise of a “new day” for Hawaii. The plan, due for hearings, renews hopes for an expansive downtown urban core.

It seeks to mesh commercial and civic uses with its residential focus. As expressed by the Governor, the project should advance based on the timeline set by the Hawaii Community Development Authority and not tied to the transit building schedule in the area.

The $500 million “690 Pohukaina” project is on state land next to Mother Waldron Park. It has been promoted as a “transitoriented development” (TOD). Ground may break by February, phase one to include 204 affordable rentals and 282 parking stalls, with completion targeted March 2015.

The second phase with a planned August 2019 completion will be a complex of 500 market-rate units in a tower at 650 feet, potentially Hawaii’s tallest structure, a separate smaller structure for 300 affordable units, 25,000 square feet of office space for civic use and offices for community groups totaling 10,000 square feet.

Work and the deadline for the third and final phase will match that of phase two. It will encompass 30,000 square feet of office space for a high-rise tech business incubator, 30,000 square feet for commercial space and 810 car stalls.

HCDA indicated the project would create 500 hardhat jobs andup to 1,000 indirect jobs. Local 675 and other Building Trades representatives applauded the announcement.