Amid speculation about the future of Nome’s troubled port expansion project, Project Manager Joy Baker addressed concerns at Tuesday night’s Strategic Development Plan event at Old St. Joe’s. Baker dismissed the notion that the project was canceled after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers withdrew contract solicitations last month.
“Some people are misinformed that that means that the project is canceled. Absolutely not. It's completely the opposite. Project is still moving forward, we are simply recalibrating right now,” Baker explained.
In their notice announcing the cancellation of contract solicitations, the Corps said that the bids were above their statutory limitations and available funding. Baker remained confident the project would still move forward.
“It'll go back out to bid in 25’. So pushing that aside, the reason we're here is to talk about a lot of the other elements about development around the port and harbor in conjunction with, and as an added bonus, to the port expansion,” Baker said.
Baker then invited representatives from PND Engineers, Inc. and Corvus Design to present concepts to the group.
“These guys have taken the concepts they captured last January and are bringing them back,” Baker said. “We're going to give you a short presentation, then we're going to do a session and talk about the drawings they have on the tables, getting your input.”
At the public forum held in January the community was invited to provide input on early concept designs primarily focused on an extended dock for large ships like cruises. At the November meeting, they presented new designs like a new small boat area with thoughtful design elements.
They first showed a concept for an overhauled harbormaster area, including new storage areas for equipment and a designated parking area.
They also shared a concept for a personal watercraft area located just across the Snake River from Seppala Drive. There, residents would be able to launch small boats like canoes or inflatables on a gravel bank. Concepts also included restrooms, parking, and picnic areas.
The firms also shared a concept for a new small boat harbor complete with approximately 2,400 feet of floating moorage space. The concepts also envisioned a dedicated refueling area and a boat ramp. The new harbor area would be just south of the aforementioned personal watercraft area on the west side of the harbor.
PND Engineers’ Bryan Hudson said that residents expressed an interest in a revamped small boat launch area on the east side of the harbor at Belmont Point, where locals shared that ice tends to melt first.
“Our understanding is that this area becomes available earlier in the season and allow people to get access to fishing, recreation, and subsistence,” Hudson noted.
The new launch area would include armor rock to protect the shoreline and a trailered boat launch. A cleaning station was also included in the concept along with space for trailer parking.
The designers also shared a concept for a "Mariners' Memorial" at the entrance of the Snake River.
“That particular proposed location, putting a small pavilion or park out there that would be a nice place for tourists to walk out to and perhaps have lunch or just watch the boats come in and out,” Hudson said.
The presenters also shared plans for a new tourist facility complete with a tour bus staging area, a covered pavilion, and an indoor facility. The concept facility is placed between River Street and the coastline, where a large gravel lot with a giant rusted dredge is currently located.
Another tourist-oriented feature would be a new paved plaza and welcome center on a new, extended portion of the dock. The concept included an optional canopy that could be deconstructed for winter and a bus stop for convenient access to town.
The meeting concluded with an overview of the group’s future plans. Representatives from PND and Corvus will take this second round of public feedback and incorporate it into Phase B of the Strategic Development Plan. A Final Draft Report is expected to include cost estimates.
Harbormaster Area
Personal Watercraft Area
Small Boat Access Area
Small Boat Harbor - Snake River
Tourist Facilities
Mariners' Memorial
Dockside Tourist Facility
