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Historic commission raises preservation and accessibility concerns over SS Nenana repairs
Summary
Commissioners flagged structural changes to the SS Nenana that they say may violate preservation standards and could create accessibility and tripping hazards; staff said work is paused for weather and will seek to provide schedules and documentation to the commission.
The Historic Preservation Commission on Sept. 2 expressed concern that recent repair work on the SS Nenana alters original vessel features and may conflict with preservation standards and accessibility requirements.
Chair Paul Recker reviewed contractor photographs provided by Public Works and said the project’s water-diverter ramp reverses the historic deck slope immediately in front of a doorway, producing "about a 7 inch tripping hazard," and that previously watertight scuttle covers had been planked over. Recker said those changes appear to conflict with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Vessels and could run afoul of building code and the Americans with Disabilities Act if interior ramping cannot meet slope requirements.
"They've just planked over them," Recker said of the scuttles, and warned that creating a barrier to access "would violate both the existing building code and the Americans with Disability Act" if the contractor cannot make the interior ramp compliant.
Planning staff said the project manager supplied photographic documentation showing staged repairs (scaffold and fender work, timbers treated with epoxy injection, new deck boards and cedar finish) and outlined remaining tasks such as installing a liquid-applied rubber membrane and the permanent railing system. Staff reported that work had been halted by recent rain because the membrane installation requires dry weather; no firm completion schedule was available at the meeting.
Commissioner Patty (first-name only in the transcript) noted ADA slope and handrail rules and questioned how interior doors that slide would affect ramp design. Recker acknowledged historic-structure exceptions to ADA for infeasible alterations but emphasized that "anything new added must comply." Commissioners asked staff to provide schedule updates and additional documentation for the commission’s review.
The commission also discussed outreach: Recker said Friends of SS Nenana and the commission should have been consulted before modifications and suggested re-engaging the mayor’s office about the commission’s earlier recommendations. Staff said they would relay questions to Public Works and try to obtain a schedule and additional project documentation for a future meeting.
The commission did not take formal action on the project at this meeting; staff indicated they would convey commissioners’ concerns to Public Works and follow up with available schedules and documents.
