Rank public engagement as top concern
Public participation topped concerns voiced by citizens attending an Oct. 12 planning workshop on the Portage Cove Interpretive Trail and Harbor Park.
People at the workshop also wanted a high priority given to a trail from Port Chilkoot dock to the harbor. And they thought the uplands area should be used mostly for biking and walking.
Haines public facilities director Brad Ryan and borough planner Holly Smith briefed the public and the Waterfront Aesthetics Committee on a request for proposal on “conceptual designs of an interpretive trail around Portage Cove, including a harbor park adjacent to the planned parking facility.”
The deadline for the proposals was Oct. 5.
A selection committee chose a firm for the conceptual designs from three proposals. But Ryan said the firm will not be announced until negotiations for scope of work and cost are negotiated, and a recommendation is made to the borough manager and assembly.
The trail is intended to connect the cruise ship dock and harbor, and possibly extend east to Picture Point and west out to Battery Point. The project also would include relocation of Lookout Park to the southeast end of an expanded harbor parking lot.
The borough expects to pay between $25,000 and $40,000 for conceptual designs, depending on negotiations with the firm. Haines will pay for the designs with part of its allocation from the cruise ship passenger vessel tax.
When asked about future funding for the project, Ryan said the borough has a “verbal promise” from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to provide $300,000 to move Lookout Park, if a sport fishing ramp is built in the harbor. The borough also can apply for a recreational trails program grant.
Ryan also said he had talked with a Federal Highway Administration employee about a safety-oriented path near the road to Battery Point.
This attempt at involving the community grew from complaints that the public wasn’t involved as much as it should have been during the planning process for the harbor expansion design.
Ryan said the design request for proposals went out before bids were sought for the actual harbor expansion. The deadline for the borough to receive the harbor expansion bids is Oct. 25.
The conceptual-design firm is also required to have no fewer than four public meetings with the first to be in November.
“I’m just looking for the community to be engaged to help direct my actions,” Ryan said.
Some community members discussed concerns that a trail would have to go over private land along the waterfront.
“This is a great idea that’s being fleshed out. It’s a great thing to have on the shelf,” said parks and recreation advisory committee member Burl Sheldon.
Smith distributed stickers and asked those in attendance to place them in priority on listed concerns.