An artist's rendering of the future mariners memorial, which was approved by the Wrangell Port Commission last week. The project has been three years in the making, and is now ready to be built once funded.
The wall and pavilion of the proposed mariners memorial would be set onto a concrete plaza near Heritage Harbor. Dedicated to the memories of those who have lived their lives at sea, the memorial incorporates a maritime theme in its design.
The planting schedule for Wrangell's proposed mariners memorial would have the concrete plaza shielded on two sides with crabapple trees and low shrubbery. To the southwest, a bed of beach wild rye grass would separate the memorial wall from Zimovia Strait.
The plan to build a memorial dedicated to Wrangell's mariners is now shovel-ready – organizers now just need to pull together the funds to buy the shovels.
The Port Commission has been spearheading the memorial project, and accepted completed designs from Corvus Design's principal landscape architect Chris Mertl during its Dec. 3 meeting.
"I'm really happy with the progress we've made," said commissioner Clay Hammer. "Stuff's about to get real here."
A draft design was last presented to the public in May, and now that construction documents are at 100-percent the commission is ready to hand off implementation to a memorial committee. Commissioners have in past meetings indicated they would prefer fundraising for the project to be handled by a group dedicated to that purpose, such as a registered non-profit. Over the next month the commission will refine the selection process and size of an ad hoc committee, which may include two commissioners in addition to three to five others.
By now some years in the making, building the new memorial will require a considerable budget. PND Engineers of Juneau drew up construction estimates for the project, which is to be sited at Heritage Harbor near the launch ramp. In all, and adding a 15-percent contingency, the budget recommended for the project is $332,767.
The first phase of mobilization and surveying would cost $27,727. Demolition – cutting and removing the existing asphalt – would cost another $5,250, with further site work and landscaping to cost more than $62,500.
A concrete plaza would be established, with a scoring pattern finished into the surface to mimic wooden decking. An edging of snowdrift crabapple trees, grasses and perennials along the northern edges would give the memorial some privacy from the adjoining harbor.
The most expensive portions of this first phase would be the memorial wall and pavilion. The wall itself would cost $79,500 to excavate for and build, and the 400 quarter-inch brass plaques would cost another $40,000. A curved wall of steel evocative of a ship's hull, its placards would be inscribed with the names of those to be remembered.
The memorial pavilion that was designed by Northwind Architects is projected to cost $74,250. The octagonal, precast structure would be 20 feet in diameter and is topped with a wood-framed cupola giving it the appearance of a lighthouse. An LED light fixture would be included inside the cupola.
"I think one of the greatest challenges was doing something unique and that was appropriate to Wrangell," Mertl said of the design. In order to better reflect the locality, steel and marine themes were favored over a more common granite.
Commissioner John Martin said he felt the memorial's design fit what was hoped for. "I appreciate what Chris [Mertl] has done for us," he said.
The completed plans are really a first phase for what in time may be developed further. For example, the layout allows for the addition of more walls at a later date, if needed.
In other port business, commissioners continued discussion of possible rate changes for moorage fees and utilities. In Southeast Alaska, Wrangell's rates tend to be lower than similarly sized communities, in part because rates are not annually updated in line with inflation or usage changes.
Harbormaster Greg Meissner explained to commissioners that while lower dockside fees might make the community seem more inviting, diminishing returns makes it difficult for the Harbor Department to set aside funds for maintenance and projects.
"We've got boats coming here from all over because our rates are low," harbormaster Greg Meissner acknowledged. But he added: "Our docks are at the end of their lifespan and we're way behind."
Replacement of the floats at Shoemaker Bay Harbor is estimated to top $10 million. In a bid for capital financing from the state, the department and Borough will be putting up $5.7 million for a match, including much of the department's maintenance reserves.
While Wrangell's rates are not the lowest in the region across the board, at $25 per foot for mooring it was only higher than in Craig and Skagway and comparable to Haines and Hoonah. Monthly rates of $3.50 per foot was only higher than Sitka's residential rate – it charges transients $15.94 per foot – and daily rates at 40 cents per foot were among the very lowest.
"There's room for some revenue there," commissioner Walter Moorhead noted.
Fee increases at The Marine Service Center have also been considered. In March a plan to increase space rates for work and storage at the yard by 50 percent was put on hold after contractors expressed concerns it could affect business. Brought up again in August, a new effort had been tabled until a full commission could be present to discuss the matter.
"This is a business and we need to run it as such, so we have money for future repairs and projects," commented Commissioner John Yeager. However, he and other commissioners agreed they should take more time to investigate and compare rates before settling on a decision.
At its next meeting on Jan. 7, the commission will meet at 6 p.m. for an hour-long workshop to discuss rate increases. It will also discuss how to improve the makeup of services offered at the yard, making the MSC a "one-stop" destination for maritime services. Among the niche areas said to be needed were hydraulics specialists, marine electricians and refrigeration.
In other port business, commissioners reelected Hammer as chairman and Yeager as vice-chair.
Commissioners unanimously approved an application for extending a lease lot by Chuck Jenkins of Jenkins Welding. Lease of the 70-by-80-foot lot will be extended by another five years at the rate of eight cents per square foot, per month.
"I think he's been an excellent asset to the yard," commented Hammer.
Meissner also told commissioners he has been contacted by a Petersburg contractor about installing cameras at the boatyard, and said he would keep them informed of any developments. Security has been a concern this year with reports of break-ins and thefts at the yard. Though not the most high-profile incident this year, the most recent was the vandalizing of the boatyard's ladies restroom last week.
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