REVITALIZE: Project is part of plan to shape up Ship Creek area.
Construction and site preparation will begin in August at Anchorage's Ship Creek on a renovation project that Alaska Railroad Corp. plans to develop some 36,000 square feet of environmentally friendly commercial office space.
The project is focused on a historical timber-frame freight shed built in 1941, when Alaska was ramping up with construction of the Alaska Highway and World War II infrastructure. It has been vacant since the early 1980s.
Alaska Railroad officials said the project is the start of the overall vision for Ship Creek revitalization. The plan, initiated by railroad officials, aims to develop Ship Creek around a vision of housing, hotels, retail, restaurants, a railroad museum, trails and an outdoor plaza for market, arts, crafts and recreational activities, and a pedestrian destination for Anchorage residents and visitors.
Their goal is for the facility to become Alaska's first historic building certified under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
The State History and Preservation Office, part of the State Department of Natural Resources' Alaska Office of History and Archaeology, is partnering with the railroad to make sure the building's historic integrity is maintained during renovation. "Having an historic building in the community helps maintain a sense of place in the community and is important for future generations," said state historian Doug Gasek.
The LEED building rating system, a third-party certification program, is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. USGBC's members, representing every sector of the building industry, developed and continue to refine LEED.
The LEED program addresses all building types including new construction, commercial interiors, core and shell, operations and maintenance, homes, neighborhoods, and specific applications such as retail, multiple buildings/campuses, schools, healthcare, laboratories and lodging.
Initial site work will include gas, water and electrical infrastructure, heated boardwalk construction, a new roof and wall upgrades. Over the coming winter, mechanical and electrical system upgrades and interior finishes will be done. In 2009, work will include parking lot paving, First Avenue upgrades and landscaping for the project. The railroad will maintain architectural control, and interior design finishes will be up to the tenants.
Alaska Railroad officials identified tenants already committed to lease space as Kaladi Brothers Coffee, ECI/Hyer Architecture and Interiors, and Porcaro Communications.
"Who doesn't dream of working in a timber-framed office with excellent daylight, a convenient downtown location and great neighbors?" said Brian Meissner of ECI/Hyer. "And what better way to show commitment to sustainability than by giving new life to a well-crafted structure. We just had to move in, and were the first to commit to space."
"Our cause is to be a catalyst of the community and we're excited to be part of the revitalization of not only an historic building, but the entire Ship Creek area," said Kaladi's Tim Gravel.
"It's an opportunity to spark the community, preserve a historic building, reduce energy costs and call a cool place home," said Mike Porcaro, of the communications firm.
The railroad, meanwhile, is seeking additional tenants to fill the space. Suites will average 3,000 to 6,000 square feet, officials said.
