HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002CAFRThe Seward small boat harbor is a cornerstone in the City's economy, representing the base of operations for day cruise operations
and fishing charters on Resurrection Bay. The City acquired ownership of the small boat harbor from the State of Alaska in
February,1999, and has completed major repairs and renovations within the harbor basin. In addition to $3.12 million received
from the State of Alaska in exchange for the City assuming ownership of the hazbor, the City issued an additional $3 million of
revenue bonds in December 2000 to build additional floats and fish cleaning stations in the hazbor basin. This represents the most
extensive renovation of the hazbor since it was rebuilt following the 1964 earthquake, and includes replacing many of the wooden
floats with concrete floats, replacing the electrical system, and installing new water and sewer services. The harbor plaza
beautification project has improved the aesthetics of the harbor uplands, adding new decorative lighting, planter boxes with trees,
shrubs and flowers, picnic tables, park benches, trash containers, bicycle racks, and interpretive signs.
New water and sewer projects continue to replace and improve aging infrastructure. The fire hydrant replacement project is
installing up to seven new hydrants in close proximity to existing homes and buildings, to ensure their protection from fire. A
chlorination room is being added to Well House #2 and a backup generator and new building were constructed at lift station #3.
The extension of water lines from Gateway Subdivision to Forest Acres Subdivision will enhance the fire flow capacity in Forest
Acres and promote residential development in the Subdivision.
The City's electric system benefitted from installation of a $2.3 million backup generator capable of generating 3.2 megawatts
of power. The project included construction of a new storage building and shop, a new battery building, new switchgeaz, and a
step-up transformer. The addition of the backup generator is expected to reduce the dwation of major power outages, and protect
the City's power supply and power generation capacity.
The City `s marine industrial system benefitted from construction of a new fabrication shop and ship employee crew quarters,
utilizing a $1 million grant from the State Dept. of Community and Economic Development. The grant also paid for installation
of a water main, water and sewer line extensions, and two fire hydrants. These facilities will enhance the ability of the shipyard
to compete for ship repair contracts. The facilities are owned by the City and leased to the local shipyard.
The City was involved in a number of additional major programs and improvements, such as: installing new sidewalk sections,
building a town square pazk at Kawabe Pazk, including constructing a public restroom facility and a bus stop; the design and
construction of phase II of Japanese Creek levee in Forest Acres, which will mitigate potential flooding and reroute industrial
traffic out of the Forest Acres neighborhood; numerous handicapped accessibility improvements to the Waterfront Park
campground, including access to restrooms, the bike path, and pavilions, as well as ADA parking pads, camping sites, and
accessible water spigots; purchase of 911 emergency equipment to upgrade the City's 911 telephone recording and response
equipment; replacement of windows and exterior siding on the public library building, necessitated by water damage; and
reconditioning portions of Ballaine Boulevard, Bear Drive, and Marathon Drive.
Major Initiatives For the Future
Seward economy continues to benefit from growth and expansion of new and existing business facilities. The Alaska Vocational
Technical Center (AVTEC) has recently purchased new student-housing facilities and is adding additional dormitory and childcare
facilities to its campus. AVTEC has unveiled preliminary plans, contingent on funding, to build a new food service facility, a
conference facility, and to expand the automotive and maritime campus facilities.
A new dock facility was constructed in 2001 by Alaska Railroad Corporation, increasing the availability of docking space for
visiting cruise ships, cazgo ships, and the Alaska Mazine Highway System ferries. The facility was built, in part, to address the
increase in cruise ship traffic to Sewazd. Princess Cruises, Ltd. has announced plans to move its Sewazd cruise ship traffic to
Whittier in 2003, and the full impact of that decision is not yet known, but it is expected to have an adverse impact on local jobs
and on retail sales.
As part of a waterfront planning process, a new multi-agency facility is slated to combine the offices and information exhibits of
the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service into a single facility located in the downtown corridor. This development
is expected to revitalize the downtown azea and concentrate the visitors in the area adjacent to the Alaska SeaLife Center. The
local senior housing facility is slated to undergo a major renovation in the coming year, and developers have unveiled plans to
build low-income housing units in the Jesse Lee Heights subdivision. As Seward prepazes to celebrate its Centennial in 2003,
numerous events are expected to draw many visitors to the community. The Chamber of Commerce and business community
continue their partnership to promote year-round business in Seward, including expansion ofshoulder- and winter-season tourism.