KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
There are three proposals for developing Near Island.
Firehouse, St. Herman Harbor infrastructure, and waste water treatment plant top capital improvements list.
Tuesday work session is 7:30 in library multi-purpose room.
The Kodiak City Council will hold its regular scheduled work session Tuesday night and there are two items of particular interest to Kodiak area residents.
The first deals with plans to develop Near Island and the other is the city’s proposed Capital Improvements Plan, which it will eventually submit to the Alaska Legislature for funding of building projects inside the city.
Three options for Near Island are being considered. Land uses include a mix of industrial, commercial, institutional and open space – recreational.
Plan options are the result of public comments and local input from numerous meetings in held 2016.
The online version of the plan cites the history of Near Island and various previous development plans. There are numerous color-coded maps of proposed land uses as well as current and proposed trails.
There is also a chart showing public comments and how they were addressed within the three options. Some of those include landscaping, walking trails alongside roads, and a desire that the city leasing land rather than selling it to private developers.
The city’s “Wish List” for capital projects to build with state funding
Another proposal being discussed at tonight’s city work session is the CIP or “wish list” for building projects needing state funding.
Number one on the list is Phase 2 of the new city fire station. The current fire hall was built in the 1940s, with two major additions in later years. The plan calls for tearing down the current fire station and building a new one somewhere else. The fire hall is just above the level of the 1964 tsunami, but is located within the inundation area for tsunamis. Estimated cost for new fire station is $14 million.
Kodiak’s St. Herman Harbor supports one of the country’s top fishing fleets and gets heavy use from boats as well as heavy abuse from weather. The city has St. Herman Harbor infrastructure replacement at number two on the list. Replacement is estimated to cost $28 million.
Number three on the city’s proposed capital wish list is $19 million for upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility which does not comply with standards set by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation for discharges.
The other two items on the list are: Shelikof Street improvements and Baranof Park improvements.
While the council cannot take action at a work session, the meetings give the public a chance to get some “behind the scenes” information on proposals, and a chance to give input to council members directly.
The council work session will be held at the library multi-purpose room beginning at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
Both the Near Island plan and the capital improvements plan are explained in depth in the work session packet which is posted on the city’s website.
CLICK HERE for link to Near Island Plan. See page 1 of packet.
CLICK Here for link to City Capital Improvements Plan. See page 103.
