Joe Spencer

The plan could also pave the way for developer Joe Spencer to build a 160-foot-high mixed-use project

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towering over mostly single-story homes.Many also fear that, along with similar projects, would block their views of the mountains. Spencer, who has said he would try to mitigate as many concerns as possible with his not-yet-proposed development, said there are two groups of people in Pleasant Grove: "a group that wants to protect what used to be, and a group that wants to promote what could be."

Both the rezoning effort and developer Joe Spencer's high-rise are drawing intense fire from a slew of longtime business owners, homeowners and even the city's Historic Preservation Commission, which unanimously opposed the development.
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But that's far short of a 10-story height, which Spencer declined to detail.
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But neither the mayor nor council members would answer questions this week about the effort, saying Spencer has not formally submitted his project, and the zone change is still before the Planning Commission. That group had been scheduled to consider the zone change during its early January meeting, but the fire marshal ended the meeting early when about 150 people overfilled city offices. The strong show of protest echoed an earlier anti-project move: Resident Mark Riddle said he collected petitions with 81 signatures in a single December day.
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The developer, Spencer, acknowledged some of those concerns and promised to try to mitigate as many as he could.But he added that Pleasant Grove needs the downtown development to breathe life into the area. Meanwhile, several downtown-business owners fear he will try to take their shops.
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Spencer said he's wrongly being painted as an evil, money-grubbing developer. He said he can keep historic flavor by maintaining the old buildings' facades.He would build his mixed-use tower behind them.And, he said, he can do it all without buying out properties. "I'm not a big stinkin' rich guy, and I'm not stealing anybody's property," Spencer said."Anytime any growth happens, someone, somewhere will have some way - or some reason - it shouldn't happen." Spencer is waiting for the city to change zoning before he submits his project, and he still would need an ordinance changed that would allow for a structure 10 times taller than neighboring homes. He hopes construction on the building, with 20 retail shops on the ground floor, can begin by year's end.He acknowledges he may have to wait longer. In response to residents' concerns, Spencer said change is inevitable and needed. "You can celebrate the past, but you can't let yourself be shackled by the past.You need to embrace what's going to work now," he said.

The Village Grove would be on the block between 100 North and Center Street, according to project developer Joe Spencer.

Spencer said the building would be approximately 440,000 square feet, with 20 retail units on the first floor, office space on the second floor, eight floors of condominiums and 550 underground parking stalls.Construction could begin as early as July 2008.The project will give the city's historic neighborhood an economic boost, he said.
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According to Spencer, the next step in the development is a zone change.The city's community development department is proposing zoning changes to the downtown area as part of its Downtown 2020 Action Plan.
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This will change the feel of downtown, but the positives will outweigh the negatives," Spencer said."I would love to have anyone with questions contact me."

Spencer can be contacted at > This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or call him at (801) 835-1243.

The Village Grove will be located on the block between 100 North and Center Street, according to developer Joe Spencer.

Spencer said the building will be approximately 440,000 square feet, with 20 retail units on the first floor, office space on the second floor, eight floors of condominiums and 550 underground parking stalls.Construction could begin as early as July 2008.

The project will give the city's historic neighborhood an economic boost, he said.
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According to Spencer, the next step in the development is for the correct zoning to be in place.The community development department of the city is proposing zoning changes to the downtown area as part of their "Downtown 2020 Action Plan."

The proposed zoning changes are tentatively scheduled to be discussed at a Planning Commission meeting on Jan. 10.

"The city is not promoting (The Village Grove), but the city does have to react to his application," said Young.The Village Grove is listed in the city's Downtown 2020 Action Plan in the Design section," said Spencer."I would love to have anyone with questions contact me."

Spencer can be contacted at > This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or call him at 801-835-1243.

Developer Joe Spencer bought property near 200 S. 500 East in Pleasant Grove last December and found an old log cabin behind the existing residence. >
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Spencer has said he will donate the structure to the city.

Joseph K. Spencer III - Board Chair Joe is a 40-year resident of Kona and a retired administrative manager with Kamehameha Investment Corporation, developer of Keauhou Resort. He is a part-time consultant and active in community work with Hospice of Kona (Board), Kona Family YMCA (Board Manager) and other community organizations. Joe's is an avid golfer and music enthusiast. (HOK Board member since 4/04 - term expires 1/10)

The cave has been known to many for years, said Joe Spencer, spokesman for Kamehameha Investment, which once owned the property until it was turned over to the county for the highway.