Draft Final Master Plan

The draft final master plan will go before the Ports and Harbor Commission and receive final review by City of Valdez staff. Once final edits have been compiled, the plan will go to the Commission and City Council for adoption. A pdf version of the draft final plan can be downloaded by clicking the link below.

Draft Final Waterfront Master Plan

Draft Preferred Concept Development Plan

Below is a link to the pdf version of the Draft Preferred Concept Development document (Volume II) that was presented at the September 23rd public meeting and the September 24th Joint City Council and Port and Harbors Commission work session. This document includes the draft final plans for each of the five sites. Each plan is supported by enlargements, narratives, conceptual construction estimate, review of economic opportunities, and maintenance needs.

Click this link to download a pdf of the Draft Conceptual Master Plan

Based on input received at the September public meeting and joint work session, this document will be finalized and presented in November.

Public Meeting: September 23rd at 6:00 pm

The planning and design team will be hosting the last public meeting for the project on Monday, September 23rd at 6:00 pm at the Valdez Civic and Convention Center.

The public meeting will present the refined preferred master plans for the five sites, cost estimates for each, and an overview of the economic feasibility for the proposed improvements. Come see the culmination of your hard work and input we have received since the beginning of the year. As always, we welcome your comments on the master plans, implementation, and estimates.

We will also be making a brief presentation to the City Council and the Ports and Harbors Commission on Tuesday, September 24th at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers. Space is very limited.

Final Inventory and Concept Development Document and Next Steps

Final Inventory and Concept Development Document

Below is a link to the pdf version of the Final Inventory and Concept Development document. This summarizes all information gathered during the research and inventory phase of work, visioning and programming developed at the public meetings, and the conceptual alternative master plans developed for each of the five sites. Each plan is supported by a conceptual construction estimate.

Click this link to download pdf of the final document

Next Steps.......

During the summer, the waterfront planning team will be using this information along with the draft preferred master plans from our May workshops and refining the preferred plans for each site. This work will include more detailed master plans, revenue generation and cost recovery, cost estimates, and implementation strategies. These will presented to the community in late September during a public meeting in Valdez.

Meeting Summaries: May 20 and 22

May 20 Meeting Summary:

The planning team presented the 13 alternative concepts for the five sites that were supported by conceptual cost estimates for each. The contents of the Inventory and Concept Development document was also presented (the document can be found as a link in the previous posting).

The public provided input on the concepts and a meeting with the project Steering Committee was held to review the public input to date and provide direction to the planning team for the development of the draft preferred plan for each of the sites. The following summarizes direction from the steering committee:

1.      Small Boat Harbor Uplands

1.1.   The Committee selected Concept C as a short-term vision (10 years) trending towards Concept B as a long-term vision.

1.2.   The travel lift and associated marine service facilities should not be removed until a new travel lift has been constructed elsewhere.

1.3.   There is a desire to densify around existing retail before expanding retail into the boat storage and trailer parking area.

2.      New Boat Harbor Uplands

2.1.   The Committee selected Concept A, which retains Hotel Hill in the short term, and Concept C in the long term if justified by economic analysis.

2.2.   Preference for a double-loaded (fully enclosed) dry stack storage. Dry stack should be subject to economic analysis and constructed in a phased manner with marine related retail.

2.3.   Locate day use recreation facilities and fishing/kayak float along north shore of uplands.

2.4.   Nate Duval noted that South Harbor Drive is currently slated to be reconstructed as early as 2020.

3.      Sea Otter Park

3.1.   The Committee selected Concept B, to be implemented in a phased manner. The initial phase should include a portion of the bulkhead dock to the southeast to support fish processing loading/unloading, marine service use, and larger vessels use when Kelsey Dock is occupied.

3.2.   Long-term, this area will support additional fish processing, but in the next thirty years is seen as ideal for a mix of fish processing and marine service yard with larger boat lift.

3.3.   Committee members recognized public comments suggesting a developed fishing area at the harbor entry, but recommended against it for safety reasons.

4.      Old Town

4.1.   The Committee elected to move forward with the current Concept B, which includes a mix of recreational uses west of the historic area and marine services uses east of the historic area.

4.2.   The cost and feasibility of a causeway should be considered in lieu of the proposed inland basin.

4.3.   A geotechnical study is needed to determine the suitability of this area for any type of permanent development.

4.4.   It was recognized that the recreation and interpretive use of the area could occur in the immediate future; however the marine service could be 30 years or longer before implementation.

5.      Valdez Cargo Terminal

5.1.   The committee elected to move forward with the current Concept which describes short term maintenance and longer-term improvements for the terminal with pontoon expansion to the east.

5.2.   No direction was provided for the grain elevators.

May 22 Meeting Summary:

Based on the direction provided by the steering committee, the planning team developed draft preferred master plans for each site on May 21 and 22 and presented them to the public on the evening of the 22nd with conceptual cost estimates. Each draft plan can be found below.

Small Boat Harbor Uplands:

Comments received from public:

• Support diagonal parking layout and the green areas along the waterfront.
• Realignment of Kobuk Drive is priority to improve access to boat launch. Include driveway access from trailer parking
• New gangway to cruise dock, park improvements (with shelter) and enlarged pedestrian area at bus loading is good. Consider moving cruises next to Kelsey Dock and eliminate need for bus loading at Small Boat Harbor.
• Maintain marine service in this location until facilities (travel lift and pier) need to be replaced and relocate to Sea Otter Park for additional capacity.

Sea Otter Park:

Comments received from public:

• Relocate the boat lifts shown to the south side of the Sea Otter fill expansion and add a break water to the west to protect from wave action.
• Coordinate with SERVS to allow public access along waterfront through their site and understand shared needs. Verify they want to remain at this site.

New Boat Harbor Uplands:

Comments received from the public:

• Positive feedback on the fishing float, fuel dock, and plan as a whole.

Old Town (Option B-no changes):

Comments received from the public:

• Provide a hatchery building/facility in stable area once determined by geotechnical study
• Implement the recreation and historic/cultural improvements in the near future
• Positive feedback on the  plan as a whole with understanding that a causeway is preferred if geotechnical study would support the facility's location. Realize that marine service related facilities may be 30 years or more out.

Valdez Container Terminal: (Option A-no changes):

Comments received from the public:

• Positive feedback on the plan as a whole.
• Reposition the float expansion to the east side of the pontoon float.

Other general comments received:

• Need to also look at making improvements adjacent to Kelsey Dock
• Need to consider walkway from Kelsey Dock to the small boat harbor as expansion of the Boardwalk
• Did any rock climbers come and talk about using Hotel Hill as a climbing site? - No.
• Work on additional notification for the next meeting. Consider sending out mailers to the community. 

Inventory and Concept Development Document

Below is a link to the pdf version of the Inventory and Concept Development document that will be presented at the May 20th public meeting. This summarizes all information gathered during the research and inventory phase of work, visioning and programming developed at the public meetings, and the conceptual alternative master plans developed for each of the five sites. Each plan is supported by a conceptual construction estimate. We encourage everyone to preview the document before the meetings and bring any questions you may have. This document provides the necessary information to allow us to move into the development of the preferred master planning for the sites and will be the basis of discussion at the May 20 and 22 public meetings.

Click this link to download pdf of the document

May 20 and 22 Public Meetings Announced

The planning and design team will be hosting the next round of public meetings on Monday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 22 at 7 pm in the Whitney Room at the airport.

The Monday meeting will focus on presenting the alternative master plans for the five sites and cost estimates for each. We will be asking for public input on desired programming and facilities for each site. The planning team will take this information and develop draft preferred master plans while in the community and present them Wednesday evening for public comment. We will again be hosting our open house studio on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 to 5:00 in the Whitney Room to allow you to provide input and watch us develop your plans for Wednesday's meetings.

April 15 Presentation Summary

On April 15, 2019 a public meeting was hosted at the Civic Center with approximately 30 people in attendance. The presentation reviewed the previous draft alternative master plans but also provided updates including a second alternative concept plan for the Old Town Site. This new plan includes development of a complete marine service facility, boat launch, related programming, and a cultural/historic park for the old Town site. A pdf copy of the complete presentation can be downloaded at the link below.

Click to download pdf of April 15 Presentation

Public Meeting Announced: April 15, 2019

The public are invited to attend a meeting to review and provide input on the draft alternative master plans for the five focus areas. The public meeting will be held on April 15, 2019 @ 7:00 pm, at the Valdez Civic & Convention Center, Ballroom C.

Public Workshop #2 - Concept Presentation: Thursday, February 28

On Thursday, February 28, 2019, PND Engineers, Corvus Design, and McDowell Group held an evening workshop where they presented concepts for the five sites. Each of the sites had between one and four concepts developed for each and were based on input received from Monday's Public Meeting and the two days of the Open Studio Session. After the presentation, the public had the opportunity to review the concepts and provide their input through the use of sticky notes and discussions with the planning team. Approximately 30 members of the public participated.

Click the link below to access the presentation. Images of the public meeting and the concepts provided are shown below.

Click link to access the presentation

The concepts presented to the community are pictured below with a brief description of each:

Small Boat Harbor:

Concept A: Includes the following:

• Extension of uplands (bulkhead) and development of a park strip along the whole length of harbor
• Improved and expanded boat launch with trailer parking
• Two dry stack buildings and launch with queuing float
• Realignment of Kobuk Drive near boat launch
• Public parking north of Kobuk Drive

Concept B: Includes the following:

• Extension of uplands (bulkhead) and development of a park strip along the whole length of harbor
• Improved and expanded boat launch with trailer parking
• Expansion of commercial district along North Harbor Drive to the east
• Realignment of Kobuk Drive 
• Public parking located behind expanded commercial district

Concept C: Includes the following:

• Extension of uplands (bulkhead) and development of a park strip along the west portion of the harbor
• Improved and expanded boat launch with trailer parking
• Boat storage, maintenance and travel lift
• Realignment of Kobuk Drive

Sea Otter Park:

Concept A: Includes the following:

• Addition of fill to create an additional 11 acres of developable land
• 15 acres for marine service yard
• 3 acres for fish processing expansion
• 750 linear foot of pile supported dock
• Relocation of SBS dock to the south
• Boat haul-out and wave barrier
• Fishing pier and trail along waterfront to downtown

Concept B: Includes the following:

• Addition of fill to create an additional 12 acres of developable land
• 15 acres for marine service yard
• 4.5 acres for fish processing expansion or new facility
• 900 linear foot of bulkhead dock
• Relocation of SBS dock to the south
• Boat haul-out and wave barrier
• Fishing park with pier, shelter, trail and parking

Concept C: Includes the following:

• No fill, haul-out or fishing access
• 7 acres for fish processing
• 600 linear foot of pile supported dock
• Relocation of SBS dock to the south
• Processor's employees park

Concept D: Includes the following:

• Addition of fill to create an additional 10 acres of developable land (plus another 2.5 acres for future fill)
• 10 acres for marine service yard
• 5 acres for fish processing 
• 600 linear foot of pile supported dock
• Relocation of SBS dock to the south
• Boat haul-out and wave barrier
• Fishing pier, parking, park and trail with access along South Harbor Road

New Boat Harbor:

Concept A: Includes the following:

• Maintains Hotel Hill (rock)
• Dry stack facility for 190 boats
• Dry stack launch and queueing float
• Waterfront park with shelter and kayak launch
• Boardwalk trail linking to downtown and around harbor
• Breakwater fishing trail

Concept B: Includes the following:

• Removes Hotel Hill (rock)
• Realigns South Harbor Drive through New Boat Harbor site
• Dry stack facility for 180 boats and bulkhead along Old Harbor
• Dry stack launch and queueing float (on Old Harbor side)
• Consolidate harbormaster facility
• Harbor related commercial development (lease)

Concept C: Includes the following:

• Removes Hotel Hill (rock)
• Dry stack facility for 360 boats (two phases)
• Dry stack launch and queueing float
• Harbor related commercial development (lease)

Old Town:

Concept A: Includes the following:

• Old Town historical park with trails and interpretation.
• Parking and small recreation facility near Richardson Highway as gateway to historical park
• Boat launch with seasonal boat storage (buffered from adjacent uses)
• Salmon fishing pond (relocated to north) with parking and trail systems
• Waterfront trail
• Note: Until geotechnical investigation can verify stability of this area, development is limited to recreation day-use activities and temporary storage.

Valdez Container Terminal:

Concept A: Includes the following:

• Dredge basin to -20 MLLW with bulkhead and breasting dolphins for barge
• Fill for expanded uplands 100' to the west of existing storage/use area
• Expansion of concrete pontoons by 400 feet to the west of existing with additional breasting dolphins
• Addition of  crane rails to concrete pontoons
• Relocation of scale house and extending length of scales
• Refurbishment of transfer bridges and existing pontoon to extend service life 25 year
• Refurbishment of causeway to extend service life by 25 years
• Development of right-of-way between Mineral Creek Loop Road and Richardson Highway to improve access
• Truck layover at Mineral Creek Loop Road

Public Input - Sticky Note Exercise 

The exercise following the public presentation gave the opportunity for attendees of the public meeting the chance to walk around and review each of the concepts with a member of the project team. Any comments or concerns were added to the concepts through the use of sticky notes. For the most part, those in blue represent elements that were desired or liked, while those in pink represent elements that were not as well liked or supported by the participants of the public workshop.

Small Boat Harbor:

Sea Otter Park:

New Harbor Uplands:

Old Town:

Valdez Container Terminal:

The information above summarizes public input received. If we overlooked or did not accurately portray your input please reach out to vcwmp@pndengineers.com.