Project Overview
The Port of Nome prepared for ongoing increases in maritime traffic by thoroughly assessing its current and future maritime and harbor facilities within a comprehensive strategic development plan update. PND developed a comprehensive waterfront master plan, construction cost estimates, economic feasibility analyses, and action plan strategies for key areas of the Port of Nome to ensure the city and port are ready for future development such as the ongoing Port of Nome Modification Project. PND has completed nearly 50 projects for the City of Nome over the past 35 years and is very familiar with the community, its waterfront facilities, the variety of stakeholders and community interests, and the inherent design and development challenges presented by the community’s local and climactic conditions, enabling our team to provide the city with strategies that are both ambitious and achievable.
PND provided overall project management of a team of subconsultants and led all elements of the strategic development plan, including coordinating with City of Nome staff, the Port Commission, and other stakeholders.
Our Role
- Civil Engineering: prepared drawings and narratives; oversaw financial studies and benefit-cost analyses; prepared concept-level construction cost estimates; and developed public involvement strategies and approach
- Structural Engineering: provided structural and load-capacity analyses for existing facilities
Planning for Success Through Community Collaboration
This project was divided into three distinct phases. In Phase I, the PND team gathered economic data from publicly available sources and interviews with Nome stakeholders and community members. We held biweekly meetings with Port of Nome staff to discuss project needs and develop advertisement strategies and timing for the first round of public meetings. The community was informed of the scope and goals of the project and encouraged to provide input during collaborative work sessions during the open meetings. PND provided a summary report of the port’s existing conditions, economic opportunities, preliminary development options, and community feedback.
During Phase II, our team hosted a second round of open meetings with project stakeholders in the community, then refined the development options identified in Phase I based on the feedback and discussions with port personnel and other stakeholders. During Phase III, our planning team developed a final draft report presenting the preferred alternative development option and associated cost estimates to the city and port commission. Through this collaborative process, PND delivered a data-driven development strategy that reflects the port’s unique challenges and the community’s shared vision for its waterfront.
