KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The new KANA-Koniag Building on Near Island went from groundbreaking to occupation in exactly one year. Thursday, at the building’s grand opening, the timeframe was described by KANA CEO Andy Tueber as just as miraculous as sunshine on the first day of Crab Fest.
Short speeches were made by Senator Gary Stevens, Representative Alan Austerman, and retired judge Roy Madsen. The Port Lions by the Sea Dancers also performed.
Tueber related how the idea for a new jointly-owned building came about:
— (Building 1 39 sec "Well, Will and I met … as has Koniag.")
He said several staff members will be moving from the KANA building on Rezanof, but new staff will be hired as well.
Koniag, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act regional Native corporation for the Kodiak region, moved its corporate headquarters back to Kodiak from Anchorage a couple years ago. Will Anderson, the president and CEO of Koniag described how the two organizations will share the building:
— (Building 2 29 sec "Koniag has the upstairs … here in the Kodiak office.")
He spoke with pride of the way Koniag and KANA worked together to build what is probably the most stunning building in Kodiak, both inside and out.
— (Building 3 15 sec "I just think it’s a great … contributions to the community.")
The building is 13,500 square feet in size, and offers a sweeping view of downtown, both harbors and the mountains beyond. The Koniag board of directors has already broken in the conference room, holding its board meeting in the building last week.
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