HomeMy WebLinkAbout09152026 Planning & Zoning Work Session NotesWORK SESSION NOTES
PLANNING & ZONING
Called by: Clare Sullivan
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Date: 9/15/2026
Purpose: Discuss Wayfinding Signs
Present:
Daniel Meuninck
Courtney Bringhurst
Jamie Crocker
Commission Members Present:
Rhonda Hubbard
Vanessa Verhey
Clare Sullivan
Tyna Siptrott
Nathaniel Charbonneau
.Andrew Wilder
Brenan Hornseth
Meeting Called to Order at 6:00
Overview
The work session gathered local input to help Corvus Design develop Seward's pedestrian wayfinding
system.
Project Scope
• The system will connect major arrival points, including the cruise terminal, train depot, small
boat harbor, downtown, and SeaLife Center.
• Participants discussed destination hierarchy, walking routes, maps, distances, accessibility,
materials, branding, and coordination with the harbor's wayfinding work.
• The project is intended to support visitors while also serving year-round residents and local
businesses without favoring individual businesses.
Local Issues
• Key concerns included confusing crossings ay missing sidewalks near the railroad, highway,
Fourth Avenue, Washington Street, and harbor areas.
• Participants identified the need to clarify routes to historic downtown, harbor businesses, parks,
trails, public restrooms, the post office, hospital, city facilities, and other civic destinations.
• Open questions included how to represent accessibility, shuttle connections, multilingual
information, commercial services, the Chamber of Commerce, and destinations outside the
walking -focused project area.
Next Steps
• Corvus Design will combine stakeholder input, field observations, and map markups into its
analysis and preliminary recommendations.
• A broader public workshop is planned for late October, with design work expected to continue
into early 2027; fabrication and installation funding and timing remain unresolved.
WORK SESSION NOTES PLANNING & ZONING
Action Items
• Ask the Chamber about its long-term visitor -information presence, including a possible kiosk or
centralized location and presence at the cruise terminal; raise the issue at the next stakeholder
meeting.
• Discuss coordinating the wayfinding system with the Chamber's visitor map and printed guide
materials, including consistent map legends and locations.
Outline
Wayfinding Project
• Daniel Meuninck explained the purpose, scope, funding context, and early stage of the city's
wayfinding project.
• Corvus Design was selected to develop sign types, hierarchy, locations, destinations,
communication methods, materials, and an overall visual system.
• The project will build on the city's existing identity guide while allowing the consultant to
recommend an appropriate Seward -specific design.
Stakeholder Engagement
• The city is gathering input from stakeholders including the Alaska Railroad, tour operators,
Chamber of Commerce, harbor representatives, and the Destination Stewardship Committee.
• A public workshop and site visit are planned for late October.
• Participants discussed coordinating printed maps, Chamber materials, kiosks, and other visitor
information with the future wayfinding system.
Destinations
• Suggested destinations included historic downtown, the harbor, SeaLife Center, library, museum,
parks, trails, public restrooms, post office, hospital, city facilities, recreation facilities, and boat -
tour areas.
• Participants debated whether signs should identify broad areas such as downtown shops and
restaurants or individual businesses.
• Community amenities and attractions outside the pedestrian project area may require separate
treatment.
Routes And Safety
• Participants marked confusing or unsafe crossings, sidewalk gaps, abrupt transitions between
paths, unclear harbor routes, and areas where visitors walk along industrial or highway edges.
WORK SESSION NOTES PLANNING & ZONING
• Accessibility, shuttle visibility, walking times, distances, bike routes, luggage movement, and
route alternatives were recurring considerations.
• The railroad -to -highway area, Fourth Avenue, Washington Street, harbor access points, and
several path junctions were identified as priority problem areas.
Schedule And Funding
• The consultant's design work may extend into February or March.
• Installation depends on a separate fabrication and funding process, so installation next summer is
possible but not guaranteed.
Meeting adjourned at 7:07 PM