With the harbor shut down for winter, Thursday’s meeting of the Nome Port Commission focused on more long term projects.
Port project manager Joy Baker addressed the commission by phone with updates on several projects, including a two-part wave and ice data study being conducted by the city of Nome. Baker said phase two of that study should be complete by the end of November.
Though she cautioned the commission to “wait for it in writing,” Baker also reported progress made in negotiations with FEMA over funding for the reconstruction of Cape Nome, damaged by fall storms in 2011.
The meeting also signaled progress for the long-awaited Middle Dock project, which would add around 200 feet of dock to Nome’s harbor. After reviewing competing bids on the project, the commission voted to recommend a contractor to the Nome city council.
The final bid, submitted by Orion Marine Group, clocked in just over $7 million — nearly $5 million cheaper than its competitor.
But debate arose over whether the current project design would give the port the biggest bang for its buck. Commissioner Rolland Trowbridge asked the commission to consider spending a little more of the project’s $9.4 million budget to extend the dock even further.
“I’d just like your thoughts on what it would give to spend that extra money to give however many more feet into our middle dock,” he said.
Bryant Hammond agreed that spending more to get more would be smart — but reminded the commission that existing funding for the Middle Dock project was hard won.
“It would be nice to have the full design,” he said. “But I understand we worked pretty hard for the money that we do have. And right now I can’t really wrap my head around another million-and-a-half dollars.”
Nome resident Chuck Wheeler also addressed the commission, expressing skepticism about any anticipated increase in large vessel traffic to Nome.
“I just see Nome as a medium draft port facility to support your small cruise ships,” said Wheeler. “Major vessels you’ll never see. They’re going through the straits. They’re 400 or 500 footers. They might be towed here out front if it’s good weather.”
He added that an extended Middle Dock — which would accommodate more medium size vessels — was a good idea, but that he wouldn’t hold his breath for an increase in deep draft vessels to Nome.
The meeting concluded with a motion to recommend Orion Marine Group as the contractor for Middle Dock, with an aside that the project could grow as funding allowed.
Correction: Previously, this story stated that a Deep Draft Arctic Port Study conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers would be complete by the end of November. That study will likely be complete by the end of next year; a separate wave and ice data study conducted by the city of Nome will be complete by the end of November.
