Waterfront Master Plan
During 2015, the City and Borough of Wrangell completed a master planning project for the community’s downtown waterfront. Corvus Design Inc led the community in creating a site specific master plan for Wrangell’s downtown waterfront. Chris Mertyl and his team facilitated collaboration in the preparation of the Plan. The plan is intended to promote a mix of viable social and economic opportunities in the plan area, including commercial, waterfront development, and public uses areas and identify potential pedestrian or other linkages between the waterfront corridor and the newly renovated downtown corridor.
The Wrangell Waterfront Master Plan is a four phased approach to enhancing the Wrangell downtown waterfront area for several key user groups, including the Marine Service Center, the Nolan Center, the visitors industry, local businesses, and Wrangell residents. The plan includes actions that can occur immediately to incorporating aspects of a much longer-term vision.
• Phase I - Immediate-term: Expansion of the Marine Service Center. Nolan Center open space reconfiguration. ($4.8 million)
• Phase II - Short-term: Development of an elevated Waterfront Heritage Walk. Create access to a natural beach. ($3.7 million)
• Phase III - Mid-term: Construction of a pier and net shed adjacent to the Nolan Center. ($2.8 million)
• Phase IV - Long-term: Creation of Wrangell Gateway Park following freight yard relocation. ($4 million)
This plan was developed through the input of more than 100 Wrangell stakeholders and residents throughout four community workshops, two three day open house events, integrated design charrettes, stakeholder meetings, and intensive public outreach over a three month period. All phases of the Plan will cost an estimated $15.3 million to develop. After an analysis of Wrangell’s economic indicators and various elements of the waterfront plan, development of the facilities in the master plan expect to attract an additional $1.2 to $2.0 million in increased economic activity to Wrangell on an annual basis.
On Tuesday, May 26, 2015, the Wrangell Borough Assembly adopted the final Wrangell Waterfront Master Plan with an unanimous vote. This document will now be the basis for future funding and development of Wrangell’s downtown waterfront. A copy of the final report and all four phases can be below.
