An Anchorage architect presented a conceptual plan for a new $20.5 million public safety building to the Haines Borough planning commission on Nov. 4.
The new two-story structure for the fire and police departments would be located on a parcel south of the current building, which is in the maximum tsunami flood zone.
The building cost projected in the plan is $5 million more than an estimate presented to the public in May. On Nov. 4, Roy Rountree, principal architect at Bettisworth North, which the borough contracted to design the building, told commissioners that the high estimate is due to supply chain shortages and increased material and shipping costs.
Rountree said the final cost might be lower if prices drop by 2023, the earliest construction could start. The cost estimate in May was $15.4 million, down from an initial forecast, in February, of $19.5 million. The borough hasn’t set aside or received any funding for construction yet.
Bettisworth North still has time to make changes. The plan presented on Nov. 4 is only at 35% completion, and the firm will need to devise and receive public input on 65% and 90% plans.
Last spring, Bettisworth North submitted options to a committee of assembly members and borough staff: remodel the existing building or the Floreske building at the corner of Haines Highway and Sawmill Road, or build a new facility—either on the existing site or on the parcel south of the current one. Advised by the firm, the committee supported the latter option because remodeling costs weren’t projected to be significantly less than new construction, the CVN reported in May.
The building in the conceptual plan would be 24,900 square feet, more than double the current size.
Assembly member Debra Schnabel, speaking during the public comment period, questioned what would happen to the property where the public safety building now sits. “If we say we’re not going to build here because it is not safe (in the tsunami zone), then the question to me and the planning commission is: How can you ever justify being able to authorize or approve anyone or any development to locate here?” Schnabel asked, “I’m concerned about creating urban blight. I don’t want to see it in this community.”
“This is one of those essential buildings in a community that you really want out of harm’s way,” Rountree said in response.
Planning commissioner Don Turner Jr. voiced concerns about managing plowed snow. “I do not see areas for snow storage,” he said, referring to the design of the building’s parking lot in the conceptual plan. “I don’t think we want to have to haul the snow out of here after every snowfall.”
Commissioners Turner Jr. and Rob Goldberg suggested steepening the proposed pitch of the building’s roof to prevent leaking. They both cited Haines High School’s roof, which periodically leaks and which public works director Ed Coffland recently said would cost $2 million to replace fully. (The borough has a phased approach, starting with plans to replace the roof over the gym for about $180,000.)
There will be a public hearing for the 35% plan at the planning commission’s Dec. 9 meeting.
In other news, the commission unanimously approved a 35% plan to build extra parking at Tlingit Park. The parking would be to accommodate performers and guests using the Tlingit Longhouse, which is under construction. Coffland said at the meeting that the longhouse project is behind schedule due to supply chain issues. The grant for that project expires at the end of the year, and the borough is still waiting to hear if it can be extended.
The commission unanimously approved 35% plans to repair the Chilkoot Loop retaining wall and wastewater treatment plant, both damaged during the December storm. Borough staff will bring back the retaining wall plan at 95% for the commission’s review.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve 35%, 65% and 90% plans for repairs on Lower Soap Suds Alley, Tower Road and Totem Street.YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN:
An Anchorage architect presented a conceptual plan for a new $20.5 million public safety building to the Haines Borough planning commission on Nov. 4.
The new two-story structure for the fire and police departments would be located on a parcel south of the current building, which is in the maximum tsunami flood zone.
The building cost projected in the plan is $5 million more than an estimate presented to the public in May. On Nov. 4, Roy Rountree, principal architect at Bettisworth North, which the borough contracted to design the building, told commissioners that the high estimate is due to supply chain shortages and increased material and shipping costs.
Rountree said the final cost might be lower if prices drop by 2023, the earliest construction could start. The cost estimate in May was $15.4 million, down from an initial forecast, in February, of $19.5 million. The borough hasn’t set aside or received any funding for construction yet.
Bettisworth North still has time to make changes. The plan presented on Nov. 4 is only at 35% completion, and the firm will need to devise and receive public input on 65% and 90% plans.
Last spring, Bettisworth North submitted options to a committee of assembly members and borough staff: remodel the existing building or the Floreske building at the corner of Haines Highway and Sawmill Road, or build a new facility—either on the existing site or on the parcel south of the current one. Advised by the firm, the committee supported the latter option because remodeling costs weren’t projected to be significantly less than new construction, the CVN reported in May.
The building in the conceptual plan would be 24,900 square feet, more than double the current size.
Assembly member Debra Schnabel, speaking during the public comment period, questioned what would happen to the property where the public safety building now sits. “If we say we’re not going to build here because it is not safe (in the tsunami zone), then the question to me and the planning commission is: How can you ever justify being able to authorize or approve anyone or any development to locate here?” Schnabel asked, “I’m concerned about creating urban blight. I don’t want to see it in this community.”
“This is one of those essential buildings in a community that you really want out of harm’s way,” Rountree said in response.
Planning commissioner Don Turner Jr. voiced concerns about managing plowed snow. “I do not see areas for snow storage,” he said, referring to the design of the building’s parking lot in the conceptual plan. “I don’t think we want to have to haul the snow out of here after every snowfall.”
Commissioners Turner Jr. and Rob Goldberg suggested steepening the proposed pitch of the building’s roof to prevent leaking. They both cited Haines High School’s roof, which periodically leaks and which public works director Ed Coffland recently said would cost $2 million to replace fully. (The borough has a phased approach, starting with plans to replace the roof over the gym for about $180,000.)
There will be a public hearing for the 35% plan at the planning commission’s Dec. 9 meeting.
In other news, the commission unanimously approved a 35% plan to build extra parking at Tlingit Park. The parking would be to accommodate performers and guests using the Tlingit Longhouse, which is under construction. Coffland said at the meeting that the longhouse project is behind schedule due to supply chain issues. The grant for that project expires at the end of the year, and the borough is still waiting to hear if it can be extended.
The commission unanimously approved 35% plans to repair the Chilkoot Loop retaining wall and wastewater treatment plant, both damaged during the December storm. Borough staff will bring back the retaining wall plan at 95% for the commission’s review.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve 35%, 65% and 90% plans for repairs on Lower Soap Suds Alley, Tower Road and Totem Street.