The Haines Borough released a request for proposals for the Portage Cove Interpretive Trail on Tuesday, ending a period of uncertainty about the project’s funding. Deadline for proposals is Oct. 5.
The borough had been holding off seeking proposals until it received a go-ahead from its lawyers.
“We just wanted to make sure that we were using the cruise ship passenger tax funds appropriately,” borough public facilities director Brad Ryan said. Specific guidelines must be followed in using the funds, he said.
Following the green light from borough attorney Brooks Chandler, the request for proposals was posted on the borough’s website Tuesday.
“The Borough is seeking Portage Cove Interpretive Trail and Harbor Park Conceptual Designs to properly route pedestrians through the harbor area, tie the harbor project to a waterfront trail, and help inform the location of a future harbor park,” the announcement reads.
The borough has budgeted $25-40,000 to pay for the design. This funding, which does not include actual construction costs, will come from a state head tax levied on cruise-ship passengers visiting Haines. Once a design is selected, the borough will start accepting bids for the project.
One of the most important aspects of any proposal will be the firm’s willingness to incorporate public input into their design, Ryan said.
“What I’m hoping to get is a firm that will put a nice proposal together about how they will engage the community,” he said.
The design will include multiple opportunities for public scrutiny and input, according to the borough’s request. Design firms are required to host at least five public meetings, and are expected to work with Haines residents and the borough to create a final project proposal.
Ryan said the borough hopes to get as much public input as possible to minimize the kind of controversy that has dogged the $30 million harbor renovation.
“That’s some of the sentiment from the harbor project we’re hoping to avoid,” he said.