A $60 million project that may help define the center of Kihei, Maui, is starting to move from its design phase to permitting stage.

Krausz Cos., a San Francisco developer that has spent a year developing its plans with the Kihei community, said it will be meeting next week with county officials to discuss the 320,000 square-foot mixed-use project.

The development, called Downtown Kihei and located next to the Piilani Shopping Center that Krausz owns, will feature residential, entertainment, restaurant and retail elements centered on a town square.

The company hopes to get government approvals and open the project sometime in 2012.

It has been consulting with members of the Kihei community in the hopes of moving forward with the development.

"Even if you do everything right, if you don't have the community's support, you're dead in the water," said Jay Krigsman, Krausz executive vice president.

John Miller, president of the Kihei Community Association, has followed the project from the initial stages and said Krausz's design "has been well-received."

"We have a set of guidelines for anyone that wants to build," Miller said. "They (Krausz) came to us pretty early and really tried to meet our rules and guidelines."

Catering to the town's preferences has been time-consuming, and other approvals still need to be obtained.

Krigsman and other Krausz representatives are flying into Maui next week to get plans for approved roads. They will also meet with Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares to discuss the project.

Krigsman said that while there are many permits and zoning requirements still to be finalized with the county, their biggest hurdle is behind them.

"We believe that you should work with the rules of the community. Sometimes that delays things a bit, but it's always better in the long run."

Krausz's past projects included acquiring the 1.2 million-square foot Puente Hills Mall in California and the redevelopment of more than 1 million square feet of industrial and distribution space near the airport in Ontario, Calif.

The developer hopes Kihei Downtown will become a new center for Kihei, a beach town that's already seen a steady rise in commercial and residential development.

"The whole concept is a walkable community, to try and encourage the concept that someone can shop and work in the same area," Miller said.

As such, there are 80 residential units planned over retail shops with separate access and parking.

Another 20,000 to 30,000 square feet of office space and restaurants are planned for the second level. Other restaurants, retail and entertainment will be on ground level.

The local construction and planning will be handled by GYA Architects Inc., but for the concept and design, Krausz turned to Stoutenborough Inc., a national architectural design company that emphasizes mixed-use and sustainable environments.

Stoutenborough hopes to meet the vision of the local community — wide sidewalks, easy road traffic, and buildings that are compliant with green standards — as well as architecture that will reflect historical Hawaiian designs.

Todd Stoutenborough, the president of Stoutenborough Inc, said in a press release that the project demonstrates the company's " 'triple bottom line architecture' — helping people, creating profit for our clients and preserving the planet."

"The significance of the project to the community was reflected in the standing ovation we received at last month's (community) presentation of the new downtown," Stoutenborough said.

Krigsman hopes to obtain government approvals within a year.