Urban Design Commission Public Hearing - January 11th

We are scheduled for a public hearing in front of the Urban Design Commission (UDC) on Wednesday, January 11th. The Commission meeting begins at 6:30pm, and the agenda will be known closer to the day. Those wishing to speak are encouraged to come earlier to ensure that they are present for the public hearing (in the event the agenda is modified).

Below are the links for the documents submitted to the UDC.  These are very large documents and hopefully everyone will be able to view the documents without issue. 

For viewing online: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxub3J0aHJqc3B8Z3g6MzI1MmQ3NWQzY2IwYTViNA

For download (and easier printing): https://sites.google.com/site/northrjsp/udc-materials/UDCReviewPackage-AllSheets-11-18-11.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1

Past VIP and Public Involvement Information:  https://sites.google.com/site/northrjsp/udc-materials

Russian Jack Community Council Presentation

 Senior Park Planner, Suzanne Little, presented an update on the UDC Submittal to the Russian Jack Community Council on November 9, 2011 and Director of Parks and Recreation updated the NorthEast Community Council on November 10, 2011.

Russian Jack Community Council approved a motion in support of the UDC Submittal and extended appreciation to the Department for its significant efforts in public involvement.

July Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes and Resolution

We have uploaded the minutes for the July 2011 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting where the commission reviewed the results of the VIP Committee process. Their resolution in support is also uploaded. Click on the links below:
2011 PRC Minutes
2011 PRC Resolution regarding the north RJSP project

These are also available by navigating through our "Related Files" link in the upper right side of this blog.

The light poles have been installed

The light poles have been installed for the northern half of Russian Jack. Stay tuned for the actual lights and cabling required for them to work.

New Trail Lighting for north RJSP

The Anchorage Park Foundation signed a construction contract today with Inlet Electric for the installation of 21 pole lights that will illuminate a portion of the existing paved trail in the northern half of Russian Jack Springs Park. The trail lighting will extend from the picnic shelter in the northwest corner of the park to the trail’s approach to Boniface. Providing lighting for this existing paved trail in the north was the highest priority that arose from the project’s VIP (Very Important Parks) committee work. The contractor reports lights will arrive in 6 – 8 weeks and that the project will likely be completed around Thanksgiving. They will be starting work as soon as possible to install the electrical line and the poles for the lights.

Letter of Thanks to VIP Committee

Letter from John Rodda to the Very Important Parks (VIP) committee:

Please accept my heartfelt thanks for your participation in the north Russian Jack Springs Park VIP Committee’s deliberations since January of 2011 involving over twelve hours of meeting time for each committee member as well as numerous hours outside of meetings for additional consideration. 

In addition to the 12 public meetings held during the summer of 2010, the six meetings of the VIP Committee brought valuable information to the discussion regarding needs of current and future nRJSP users:

• Meeting One – Introductions, Overview of Project Goals, Approving Committee Tenets, Existing Conditions, Identifying Stakeholders
• Meeting Two – Stakeholder Presentations
• Meeting Three – Top-5 List Presentations
• Meeting Four -  Prioritization Matrix
• Meeting Five – Supported Priority List
• Meeting Six – Review of NW Corner Concept
• Electronic Input Regarding Revision of NW Corner Concept

Throughout our nRJSP VIP deliberations there has been good public discussion and a realization by the Department that no final plan will satisfy all members of the group.

After review of all input from the Entrance Concept review, the Department has chosen to postpone major construction until next construction season.  I have directed the Project Team to proceed through the normal municipal design development process shown below with major construction planned for Spring 2012.    Upcoming public meetings for consideration of these plans are as follows:

• Consideration of Conceptual Design including Concept A2, as presented to the VIP Committee, at the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 14^th, 2011 6 PM at Spenard Community Recreation Center
• First consideration of nRJSP First Review Design at the Urban Design Commission (to be announced)
• Last consideration of nRJSP Second Review Design at the Urban Design Commission (to be announced)

To maximize and leverage improvements - In the remainder of 2011’s construction season, we will design and construct the entry driveway and adjacent pathway, leveraging improvements with the existing PRUHS contract for water and wastewater project.  In addition, the Trail Lighting will be constructed before snowfall this year and will light as much of the paved trail beginning at the North West part of the existing paved trail with the $100,000 allocated. 

The Department appreciates your willingness to be involved and thanks you for your assistance in prioritizing improvements for the north part of Russian Jack Springs Park.  Thank you for your valuable input and your service on the VIP Committee.

Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - July 14th

The project team will be back before the Parks and Recreation Committee next week for an update:

• Consideration of Conceptual Design including Concept A2, as presented to the VIP Committee, at the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 14th, 2011 6 PM at Spenard Community Recreation Center

Additionally, the project will be in front of the Urban Design Commission:

• First consideration of nRJSP First Review Design at the Urban Design Commission (to be announced)
• Last consideration of nRJSP Second Review Design at the Urban Design Commission (to be announced)