HomeMy WebLinkAbout04272026 City Council Laydown - Straubinger4/13/26, 1:27 PM Seward Harbormaster BLDG and South Uplands Development - bruce@jaffaconstruction.com - Jaffa Construction Mail
Nathan Straubinger 1:25 PM (0 minutes ago)
to clerk@cityofseward.net, me. mschutter123@gmail.com, nregis@gci.net, doubled99664@gmai
Dear Seward City Council and PACAB,
I am reaching out with more feedback and suggestions for the Uplands project because incorporating community input and
making minor adjustments is still crucial for the project's success. I am providing these thoughts and ideas in writing so they
are constructive, not just complaints, and I hope you will consider them as you move forward. Since the project is currently at
the 35% design phase, I hope there is still time to further discuss and get community input on a few things. I would hate for
the design to pass review only to require expensive changes later.
First and foremost, I believe tackling the parking scheme, utilities, and earthwork are top priority moving forward because they
affect the rest of the design. As Mark Clemens advocated in his presentation at the last meeting, sport fishing in Seward
generates significant revenue. Ensuring there is plenty of trailer parking, and that those spots are easy to navigate will ensure
Seward and Resurrection Bay continues to be a sport fisherman's destination, complementing the brand new and improved
South boat ramp. It is exciting to hear that Sue McClure saved the drive -down dock plans. It would be great to see those
designs used in a future project.
If nothing else, please consider conducting a truck trial using traffic cones to lay out the draft specs. R&M previously used this
process for the Danby Wembley Roundabout in Fairbanks; you can look this up. Testing the layout with various trailer lengths
and a fire truck will verify traffic flow and turning radius, provide valuable public engagement and ensure the 35% draft design
is functional.
Please consider the following critical points in the design process:
1. Optimize Parking: The current parking scheme should prioritize "pull -through" spots for trailers. Backing up trailers is
difficult for many drivers and causes a high percentage of accidents. I suggest maintaining single -car parking for south -facing
spots to allow the public to continue enjoying ocean views.
2. Protect the Viewshed: It is vital to preserve the views looking north toward the harbor and south toward the ocean.
Numerous vehicles pull up to the edge of the breakwall and sit in their cars enjoying the view. Likewise, numerous boaters pull
up to spots facing the harbor to keep an eye on their boat.
3. Dead Zones: Better utilization of current "dead zones" would improve the overall layout. Relocating the lease/retail spots to
the underutilized Southwest corner parking area will save future space needed for the drive -down ramp proposal and preserve
the north -facing viewshed.
4. Maximize parking spots with more rows: To maximize the total number of parking spots, the main lot should have four
rows, the lower level should have four rows, and the harborside campground area should have four rows of single -car
parking. The four rows in the main lot are similar to what is currently in place. Even without parking lines drawn, the public
naturally uses a pull -through double wishbone trailer parking scheme. Even on the busiest and most crowded days during
peak summer months the maximum number of spots is utilized. Two pull -through spots down the middle of the lot, and two
single -car spots facing North and South. Converting the 3-row design to 4 rows would require small changes to the building's
design.
5. Changes to the harbormaster building design: Add a third lower (basement) ground -level floor to the West, for garage,
equipment and truck parking. The 2nd story/main floor (ground level to Uplands parking lot) could house conference rooms,
public facilities, and restrooms, while the top floor would be the harbormaster's office. Taking design cues from the Valdez
Harbormaster building --having a drive -out garage and shop space dedicated to Harbor staff greatly improves ease of
operations. Increasing the new Harbormaster building to three stories would mirror the nearby Safari Lodge. Incorporate a
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similar look and feel on both sides of the boat ramp, aligning with the new Major Marines Welcome Center and Harbor 360
Hotel.
6. Project Phasing: I recommend separating the project into phases. The Harbormaster building phase needs to be separated
from the lease spots. This would clarify the building's design purpose and allow the budget to focus on essential infrastructure,
such as earthwork, sewer, drainage, and utility routing. Leave the current restrooms near the MNOP until new ones are in
working order.
7. Memorial Funding: The Historical Society can help fund a WWII Memorial located next to the new Harbormaster building.
I have drafted these ideas on printed blueprints to provide visuals alongside my thoughts, because I strongly want the parking
scheme to be reconsidered. I believe these adjustments will greatly improve the project's safety and community reception.
Best regards,
Nathan Straubinger
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4/13/26, 1:19 PM
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