Chena Riverfront Commission approves amended letter urging riverfront placement for Phase 3

The Chena Riverfront Commission unanimously approved an amended letter of support on April 22 asking local planners and funders to prioritize a riverfront alignment for Chena Riverwalk Phase 3 while staff and DOT refine lower‑cost design options.

Kellen Spillman, a borough planning staffer who summarized the project’s long history, said the Commission’s priority remains the walkway’s proximity to the river. “The most important thing for the commission was having the river walk on the river,” Spillman said, noting city engineering estimates for an elevated design exceeded $7,000,000 and that FAST Planning asked DOT to produce three lower‑cost alternatives.

The letter approved by the commission directs staff to finalize the text with edits adopted at the meeting and to distribute it to the FAST Planning policy board, the City of Fairbanks, the Fairbanks North Star Borough mayor and assembly, and other recipients. Commissioners also agreed to add Festival Fairbanks to the cc list. Commissioner Bob Hensey moved the amendment package and Commissioner Annette Freiburger seconded; the final motion passed 7–0.

Commission discussion focused on tradeoffs among cost, floodplain constraints, right‑of‑way acquisition and river access. DOT representative John Natardis said engineers are evaluating hybrid approaches—boardwalk on piles in low areas and embankment where soils allow—while seeking reduced cost estimates. He also warned that one resurfacing/ADA project was moved from 2026 to 2027 because it could not be advertised in time for contractor procurement this season.

Olivia Lunsford of FAST Planning outlined project expenditures and federal funding risks. “To date, $622,000 has been spent on design and right‑of‑way negotiations,” Lunsford said, and added an “additional $230,000 of state funds expended, coming in at $852,000” so far. Lunsford and staff also reminded commissioners that use of federal highway funds to acquire right‑of‑way typically carries obligations to build an ADA‑accessible transportation improvement and could trigger repayment requirements if a project were never constructed.

Representatives of the Alaska Railroad said their board has approved the sale of the parcels involved and described the land as likely to move into private development if purchased; the railroad noted any change in the acquisition footprint could require a new appraisal and negotiation.

Commissioners made several editorial changes to the draft letter. The final language asks that the project design “focus on the riverfront” and clarifies that the pathway location should be as close to the riverfront as is feasible, recognizing floodplain and right‑of‑way constraints. The approved letter will include three attachments from the commission’s historical files and prior borough actions to provide context.

The commission heard that FAST Planning will consider DOT’s alternative cost estimates at its next policy meeting; staff said substantial design or scope changes will require returning to local planning authority for review. The commission’s subcommittee on the Chena Riverfront Plan also reported progress on a draft plan update and public engagement schedule, with an adoption target in mid‑2027.

The commission adjourned at 1:58 p.m.