HyettPalma
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Featured Project:
Unalaska, Alaska

In 1991, the City of Unalaska took a very progressive step toward planning for its future. The City embarked on a visioning process that reached out to and involved the community in defining a community Vision. And, that Vision was used to guide the sound growth and development of the community into the twenty-first century.

The result of that effort was the document titled, Community Visions for the Future: 1991-2000 Unalaska, Alaska — prepared for the community by HyettPalma. Following is a list of the numerous actions and activities which have been undertaken since 1991 to further enhance the community — consistent with the Vision for Unalaska.

Quality Health Facilities
The Iliuliuk Family and Health Services, Inc. (IFHS) Board commissioned a feasibility study for a new clinic in 1990. The new 21,875 square foot facility was constructed in 1992 with user, corporate, and community donations, and financial assistance from the State of Alaska and the City of Unalaska.

The new facility offers emergency, family medicine, and mental health services. It also houses the local native health clinic.

Quality Education
The Unalaska City School District has experienced growth in student population over the last 10 years. The student population is 372. A new K through 4th grade elementary school was constructed. The district has won national recognition as one of the top 100 school districts in the nation (the only Alaska district to do so). Students in the district have scored highest in the state for 2 years running in the new statewide standards and exit exam testing. The district is recognized throughout the state for student academic achievement and community support. The City meets the district’s requests for capital and other costs beyond the funding cap set by the state legislature.

Clean Water
There have been several changes in the water system over the last 10 years. The City has implemented a policy regulating access to and pollution of the community’s watershed and developed a policy that prevents the discharge of chlorinated waters into streams and navigable waters. The water reservoir has been rebuilt and expanded, a 2.5 m/g chlorine contact tank has been constructed, a dam at Icy Lake has been developed, the WWII water lines have been replaced, a .5m/gal water tank has been constructed on Lear Road, and several water main line replacements have been completed — ultimately bringing the majority of the system up to state regulations.

Quality Affordable Housing
Recent changes have improved, though not solved, this long-standing issue in Unalaska. Many new housing units have been built over the past 10 years. Over 20 single-family and duplex units have been built in Unalaska Valley. A HUD apartment complex was built on Standard Oil Hill, and a 16-unit low- and middle-income apartment complex was built on Lear Road. During the mid-1990s, the City purchased 12 mobile home units, which are rented to City employees. A 15-unit senior citizen apartment complex was finished in 1995. A 15-unit HUD housing complex was built on Lower Nirvana Hill. A privately owned 10-unit apartment complex was completed and is now occupied under long-term state and/or federal leases. Rental costs remain high despite increased availability. Appraised real property values remain high, and property taxes remain stable at 11.78 mills.

Quality Sewage System
Major additions to the wastewater collection systems have been constructed over the last 10 years. Areas of improvements in wastewater collection include Steward Road, Choate Lane, and Lear Road. The City approved and created six local improvement districts (LIDs) to extend mainline water and sewer to various residential districts and subdivisions, and is currently obtaining state funding to help with the cost of another LID to Upper Nirvana Hill.

In 2000, the new Unalaska Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) began operation. The new WWTP uses Ultraviolet Disinfection as the primary source of wastewater treatment. Prior to the new plant, the only source of wastewater treatment was initial screening. The new treatment method has allowed the City to, with some exception, meet EPA wastewater discharge criteria for coliform bacteria kill.

The receiving waters for the wastewater treatment plant effluent are significantly cleaner than they were prior to 2000.

Multi-Purpose Recreation Center/Community Center/Museum
In 1996 the City constructed a 24,755 square foot recreation center. This heavily used facility contains a basketball court, two racquetball courts, a weight room, an aerobics room, an indoor running track, an art room complete with pottery kiln, and various pieces of exercise and sports equipment.

The building that was in use as the Parks, Culture, and Recreation Department’s community center in 1990 now houses some non-profit organizations like the local public radio & TV station and the local convention & visitors bureau. A large open space in the building is made available for rental and other general public use on a scheduled basis. The City paid to refurbished a home in Downtown Unalaska in the mid-1990s, which is occasionally used as a visitor’s center.

In 1998, the City completed construction of a $3.86 million, 9,060 square foot, state- of-the-art regional museum located near a new hotel on Margaret Bay. This museum is run by a non-profit group, but relies heavily on the City for annual support and all facility maintenance. The City’s FY-2002 contribution to operating the museum was $225,000, with an additional $30,000 granted for purchase of collection materials.

Clean Air
The City’s powerhouse continues to operate under its most recent Title V permit, requiring emissions testing and control. The Pyramid Creek Hydroelectric Plant is in the permitting phase and construction of this facility is anticipated for Summer 2003. This plant will increase energy capacity without increasing air emissions.

More stringent EPA requirements and permitting have reduced emissions from the independent power generators within the City limits.

The ongoing pavement of City streets has also improved air quality by reducing airborne dust and other particulates and has reduced stream siltation due to water run-off.

Library/Cultural Center
In 1998, the City completed the construction of a $3 million, 9,892 square foot public library.

Other Significant Accomplishments
Other significant accomplishments which have been made since 1991 to attain the Vision for Unalaska include the following:

• The City has begun to develop a bike trail, pedestrian bridge, and sidewalk system that it plans to continue;
• Two new post offices were constructed within the past 6 years;
• The City has funded a licensed childcare facility for almost 10 years;
• The City helps to support the local convention & visitors bureau with a bed tax and annual grant-in-aid contributions;
• A senior housing/activity complex was built by the Aleutian Housing Authority;
• The City built a $2 million working cargo dock, is in the process of developing an $8 million, 510 foot expansion to the Unalaska Marine Center dock, and is working with state and federal agencies to develop a $19 million boat harbor;
• Several private companies have either built or expanded existing commercial docks;
• The City began to pave streets at the same time that the State of Alaska paved S310, the main state road that runs from the airport on Amaknak Island to the intersection at Fifth and Broadway;
• The City adopted a paving plan for new paving projects that will take several years and approximately $15 million to complete;
• The City funded and is developing a GIS system for use by all City departments, and eventually the public;
• A very complex power integration project, including a new sub-station that would help increase the City’s generating capacities to ensure future growth, in currently being discussed;
• The City purchased and is developing a 12 acre public park in the Unalaska Valley that has a softball field, concession building, public restrooms, a planned network of trails and paths, a playground, and multi-purpose recreational surface;
• The City built a skate park next to City Hall;
• A 13,590 square foot City Hall was constructed in 1993-1994;
• A new Public Works and Utilities building was completed in 1998;
• The City improved its landfill with lined cells and the completion of a 12,240 square foot baler facility;
• A new fire station was built on Amaknak Island next to the airport;
• A tsunami warning system is in place with additional sirens and system upgrades to be phased in;
• Discussions are being held with federal and state agencies on lengthening the airport runway, which will improve the safety and reliability of air transportation;
• A full-service, four star 110 bed hotel was constructed at Margaret Bay; and
• Two new, modern supermarkets were constructed on either side of the new hotel at Margaret Bay.