Join the Project Advisory Committee for the Waterfront and Economic Development Plan!
Project Overview:
The City of Whittier is creating a Waterfront and Economic Development Plan to improve our waterfront for public use, recreation, and new business opportunities. We want to make sure this plan reflects the community’s vision and helps Whittier grow while protecting the beauty of our natural surroundings.
To guide this process, we’re putting together a Project Advisory Committee (PAC). This group will work with the City and project team to provide feedback and make sure the plan meets the needs of everyone who uses or cares about our waterfront.
What is a PAC Member?
Role:
As a PAC member, you will be a voice for your community. You’ll help shape the plan by sharing your thoughts and giving feedback on important project ideas. You’ll also make sure the people you represent – whether it’s other residents, businesses, or waterfront users – have their opinions heard.
What You’ll Do:
- Attend Meetings: You’ll join about seven (7) meetings from Fall 2024 through Summer 2025. In these meetings, you’ll look over project documents and discuss them with the City and the project team.
- Represent Your Group: If you’re part of a group like local businesses, waterfront users, or residents, you’ll share their concerns and ideas in the meetings.
- Give Feedback: You’ll help review and improve key parts of the plan, like how land and water areas might be used or where businesses could grow. Your feedback will help the project team make the best decisions.
- Stay Connected: Talk to the people in your community or group and share what you’re working on. Bring their ideas and questions back to the meetings so their voices are heard.
- Help with Public Input: After public meetings, you’ll help make sure what the community says is included in the final plan.
What’s Expected from You:
- Commit to the Meetings: We need you to attend the scheduled meetings and review materials before each one so you’re ready to participate.
- Be Active: Speak up during meetings, share your ideas, and represent the people you’re there for.
- Communicate: Keep in touch with your group or community, and let them know what’s happening with the project.
- Work Together: Collaborate respectfully with other PAC members, City staff, and the project team to make this plan the best it can be for Whittier.
If you care about the future of Whittier’s waterfront and want to make a difference, apply to join the PAC today!
Project Background
The City has contracted Corvus Design, Inc. to deliver a Waterfront and Economic Development Plan (WEDP) that is reflective of community needs and desires, identifies economic potential for the waterfront, maximizes the use of City-owned or leased lands, protects the tidelands within City boundaries, and promotes public access and recreational opportunities to Whittier’s waterfront and uplands. PND Engineers, Northern Economics, Solstice Environmental, and ECI Alaska support Corvus Design.
The City of Whittier lies near the head of Passage Canal, a fjord of Prince William Sound (PWS), 62 road miles southeast of Anchorage, 24 road miles southeast of Girdwood, 98 road miles northeast of Seward, and 109 road miles northeast of Soldotna. As the closest year-round, ice-free port to Anchorage, Whittier is a critical hub for marine activities and freight transfer, bringing goods to Anchorage and Alaska. The waterfront is a popular destination for cruises, sport fishing, sightseeing, sea kayaking, and scuba diving, and provides service for the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS).
The WEDP will encompass two distinct geographic locations: the Waterfront Development Area (WDA) and the Harbor Management Area (HMA). Key waterfront challenges include enhancing and expanding economic development opportunities, providing public and recreational access to the waterfront, and preserving the scenic, historic, and natural features within the waterfront area. The WEDP must reflect the vision of the community and waterfront users while harmonizing with the community’s character and environmental conditions consistent with the region.
Figure 1 Proposed Project Boundary
