FAQ
1. Why can’t construction happen in the winter?
We recognize that construction is disruptive to businesses and that summer is traditionally a busy time for downtown businesses. However, we are limited to the types of work that can be done once the weather turns cold for several reasons. One reason is the asphalt plants shut down for winterization typically around mid-October. We also need warm enough temperatures to ensure the subgrade materials are not frozen and are compactable to withstand traffic loads, and the poured concrete can cure to gain strength and improve its durability. If additional measures must be taken because of cold temperatures or snow, it will increase costs, take longer, and often results in poor quality materials that fail prematurely and will need to be replaced much sooner.
2. How will the street be lit while waiting for the new poles?
At a minimum, temporary street lights will be furnished and maintained at street intersections during construction until permanent street lights are installed and energized. For multi-season construction projects, additional street lighting will be provided for mid-block.
3. Will there always be customer access to my business during construction? How will my customers know where to go?
Yes, there will always be access for your customers to your business. It may be across plywood or some other temporary surface. There will pedestrian-scale signs indicating business entrances and flaggers will be used where needed. We are planning to schedule most of the contractor’s work to occur during the least disruptive hours of the day.
4. Will there always be employee/owner access to businesses during construction?
There may be a rare occasion where we have to restrict after hour business access to employees/owners in order to ensure the sidewalk in front of your entrance can be constructed in time for your customers’ arrival the next day. We will coordinate with businesses should that need arise.
5. Will alternate parking be made available to my customers?
The project team is will work to find acceptable, temporary parking to replace on street parking during construction. For example, the Municipality worked with EasyPark to make available the Coho Parking lot on 3rd Avenue, between E to C Streets at a reduced rate.
6. How will deliveries be accommodated?
The project team is working with the businesses to determine how to accommodate deliveries during construction.
7. What is the cost of the project? How is it being funded?
Construction cost of the G Street to E Street project is approximately $4 million.
8. What is the 1% for Art going to be?
The 1% for Art is being selected by a jury independent of the project. The 1% for Art program is managed by the Office of Economic and Community Development, under the direction of the Curator of Public Art. The selection has not been made at this time.
9. Who do I call with a question or comment about the design?
You can email the project team at ancdowntownlights@kinneyeng.com. Joann Mitchell, with Kinney Engineering is leading the Public Involvement efforts and she can be reached by phone at (907) 344-7590. Julie Makela is the Project Administrator for the Municipality of Anchorage, Project Management and Engineering. Her phone number is (907) 343-7598.
10. Who do I call with a question or concern during construction?
The phone numbers for the Contractor’s superintendent and the Municipal inspector(s) assigned to the project will be made available prior to the start of construction. These individuals will be working on the job site and should be your first contact to resolve construction issues and answer questions. In addition, you can also reach out to Julie Makela, Project Administrator for the Municipality during normal working hours and week days. Her phone number is (907) 343-7598.
11. What kind of coordination and communication will happen during construction?
Before construction begins, the Contractor will reach out to all of the businesses and provide them with contact information. In addition, we will host a pre-construction virtual meeting with the contractor, project team including the Municipality inspector(s), and businesses/property owners. The contractor will present their work plan and schedule at the meeting and answer questions. The contractor will also be required to work one-on-one with businesses during the active sidewalk construction zone in front of their business.
12. How will the design of these tree wells be different to ensure better survivability in our harsh conditions
For urban street trees, access to a large volume of soil is critical for their long-term health. For a bustling urban sidewalk, minimizing interruptions in the sidewalk allows it to be used for people in a variety of ways. This means that soils are best located under the sidewalks rather than in exposed planters. Following up on success in a few locations downtown, this project will provide large volumes of soil for the trees under the sidewalk in soil cells. These are structural units that allow high quality planting soil to be provided for the trees, with support for the sidewalk above. It’s also important that trees are protected from physical and chemical damage. Each tree will be surrounded by a raised concrete curb and low height guardrail. The size of this planter is minimized and aligned to provide ample room around it for people to pass by. These planters will be 6 feet long and 4.5-feet wide, spaced to provide a tree every 46 feet. When planted the trees will be approximately 2 inches in circumference at the base, and should grow to be 6 to 8 inches in circumference in ten years, with the ability to keep on maturing. The Phase 2 project page shows renderings of how the trees will look along 4th Avenue.