Waterfront and Economic Development Plan

Why Join Our Mailing List?

Stay informed and be part of shaping Whittier’s future! By joining our mailing list, you’ll:

Never Miss an Update: Get notified about upcoming events, meetings, and project milestones.
Be the First to Know: Receive alerts when new materials, recordings, or updates are posted to the website.
Have Your Voice Heard: Stay connected with opportunities to provide input and share your ideas for the Waterfront & Economic Development Plan.

Joining is quick and easy—just enter your name and email address, and you’ll be in the loop! Together, we can create a vibrant and thriving waterfront for Whittier.

The City of Whittier is partnering with Corvus Design, PND Engineers, and Northern Economics to create a Waterfront and Economic Development Plan (WEDP). This plan is designed to:

Reflect the community’s needs and values.
Identify economic opportunities in Whittier.
Maximize the use of City-owned or City-leased land.
Protect tidelands within City boundaries.
Enhance public access and recreational opportunities on Whittier’s waterfront and uplands.

Key Project Areas

The project focuses on two main locations:

Waterfront Development Area (WDA): Dedicated to advancing economic development opportunities.
Harbor Management Area (HMA): Focused on preserving natural and recreational waterfront features.

Key Issues:

Expanding economic development.
Improving public and recreational waterfront access.
Preserving scenic, historic, and natural features.

Project Goals and Objectives

1. Economic Development and Expansion

Objective: Stimulate economic growth while addressing Whittier’s unique geographic constraints and limited land availability.

Focus: Promote the best use of available space to foster a stable economy.

2. Tideland Control and Protection

Objective: Balance development and ecological preservation of Whittier’s tidelands.

Focus: Establish criteria to assess the critical value of tidelands and guide sustainable development.

3. Access, Recreation, and Connections

Objective: Enhance recreation amenities and waterfront connectivity for residents and visitors.

Focus:

Develop pedestrian corridors between key areas like Head of the Bay (HOB) and Smitty’s Cove.
Protect and highlight natural beach areas.
Foster opportunities to interact with Whittier’s landscape and waterfront.

4. Resilience and Extreme Weather

Objective: Strengthen community resilience against extreme weather events and climate change.

Focus: Analyze climate impacts and create solutions to protect health, infrastructure, and natural resources.

Why It Matters

The WEDP is not just about development—it’s about building a vision that aligns with Whittier’s unique character, environmental conditions, and regional context. By collaborating with the community, the plan aims to ensure that growth is sustainable, resilient, and beneficial for all.

Public Meeting #1: January 7 and 8, 2025 at 6:30pm
Watch the recording: https://youtu.be/a0tJAIFuAf8

Public Meeting #2: January 15-16, 2025
Anchorage Public Open House
Date: January 15, 2025
Time: 4:00–6:00 PM
Where: Anchorage Cowork Space
202 East Northern Lights Boulevard, Anchorage, AK

Whittier Public Open House
Date: January 16, 2025
Time: 4:00–6:00 PM
Where: Whittier Council Chambers
3rd Floor, Public Safety Building, 660 Whittier Street

Public Meeting #3: August 6, 2025 at 6:00pm
Virtual Presentation of Preliminary Plan
Watch the recording: https://youtu.be/OBy34LewVIE

Welcome to the Resources section for the Waterfront and Economic Development Plan (WEDP). Here, you’ll find key documents, helpful links, and tools to stay informed and engaged throughout the planning process.

Project Documents

Community Outreach Plan: Learn about the strategy guiding community and stakeholder engagement for the WEDP.
Meeting Agendas and Minutes: Stay updated with the latest agendas, summaries, and outcomes from PAC meetings and public workshops.
- PAC Meeting #1 – November 6, 2024
  - Agenda
  - Minutes
- Focus Group Meetings – December 9 – 12, 2024
- PAC Meeting #2 – December 12, 2024
  - Agenda
  - Minutes
- PAC Meeting #3 – January 16, 2025
  - Minutes
- PAC Meeting #4 – April 10, 2025
  - This meeting was a brief presentation on the draft plan.
- PAC Meeting #5 – April 17, 2025
  - Agenda
Draft Plan Documents:
Review the latest drafts of the Waterfront and Economic Development Plan as they become available.
- Inventory & Assessment (Draft)
- Preliminary Waterfront and Economic Development Plan (Draft)
- Appendix:
  - Economic Analysis (Final)
  - Whittier City Financials (2025)
Final WEDP:
Anticipated completion in August 2025!

Public Input Opportunities

Comment Collector
Share your thoughts on the draft Waterfront and Economic Development Plan! Closes at 11:59 p.m. on September 10th. Click here to add your comments!

Additional Resources

City of Whittier Comprehensive Plan: Download PDF

Contact Us

Phone: 907-472-2327

Have questions or need more information? Contact the City of Whittier at:

Email: cityclerk [at] whittieralaska.gov (cityclerk[at]whittieralaska[dot]gov)

What is the Project Advisory Committee (PAC)?

The Project Advisory Committee (PAC) plays a vital role in shaping the future of Whittier’s waterfront and guiding economic development. This group provides community-based input to ensure our Waterfront and Economic Development Plan reflects Whittier’s unique vision of growth, sustainability, and preserving natural beauty.

About the Waterfront and Economic Development Plan

The City of Whittier is developing a comprehensive plan to enhance our waterfront for public enjoyment, recreational activities, and new business opportunities. This initiative focuses on fostering growth while safeguarding the natural environment that makes Whittier special.

The PAC’s Role

The PAC is a group who work closely with the City and project team. Their primary responsibilities include:

Offering feedback on project elements to ensure alignment with community needs and values.
Representing diverse stakeholder perspectives, such as residents, local businesses, and recreational users.
Reviewing key components of the plan, including potential land and water uses, public spaces, and business development opportunities.

Why Was the PAC Formed?

Community involvement is key to the success of this project. By engaging a diverse group of voices through the PAC, the City ensures the Waterfront and Economic Development Plan is inclusive and effective.

How the PAC Works

Members of the PAC:

Participate in scheduled meetings to review project updates and provide input.
Act as liaisons between the project team and the community, sharing updates and gathering feedback.
Collaborate with City staff, consultants, and fellow committee members to shape actionable recommendations.

Regular meetings are held before major deliverables and after public meetings to gather PAC feedback. Anticipated meetings include:

Meeting #1: PAC convening, project requirements review, roles and responsibilities clarification, identification of information needs and next steps, project timeline, deliverable, and review period overview, and identification of City tasks.
Meeting #2: Review and input on the Draft Inventory and Analysis and Draft Economic Assessment.
Meeting #3: Review and input on community feedback from Public Open Houses.
Meeting #4: Presentation of the Draft WEDP.
Meeting #5: Feedback and recommendations on the Draft WEDP.
Meeting #6: Review community feedback and recommended actions for finalizing the WEDP.

Stay Informed

While the PAC selection process is complete, the City invites all residents and stakeholders to stay involved in the project. Updates on the plan’s progress, public meeting dates, and opportunities for feedback will be shared on this webpage. Your voice remains an essential part of this effort to create a thriving and sustainable future for Whittier’s waterfront.

The Role of Key Stakeholders in the Waterfront and Economic Development Plan (WEDP)

Who Are Key Stakeholders?

Key stakeholders are individuals, organizations, and groups with a vested interest in Whittier’s waterfront and the development of the Waterfront and Economic Development Plan (WEDP). These stakeholders bring unique perspectives and experiences that enrich the planning process and help ensure the final plan meets the needs of both the local community and the broader region.

Stakeholders include those who are directly or indirectly impacted by waterfront development, such as:

Local businesses and residents who rely on or interact with the waterfront.
Commercial entities that use the area for freight, cruise ship operations, or tourism.
Government agencies and landowners like the Alaska Railroad, the U.S. Forest Service, and the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
Visitors who use the waterfront for recreation, boating, and day trips.
Non-governmental organizations focused on conservation, fisheries, or other community interests.

By engaging with stakeholders, we ensure a more inclusive, practical, and sustainable planning process.

Why Are Stakeholders Important?

Stakeholders play a vital role in the development of the WEDP by:

Providing Insight: Their unique knowledge and experiences help the planning team understand opportunities for growth and identify risks or challenges.
Strengthening Collaboration: Their input fosters a sense of ownership and partnership in the project, ensuring broad support for the final plan.
Shaping Outcomes: Stakeholders influence how ideas are developed and refined, ensuring the plan aligns with the community’s needs and goals.

How Stakeholders Participate

Engagement with stakeholders is tailored to the influence they can have on the project at various stages:

Early Stages: In the initial phases, stakeholders provide valuable input and ideas through workshops and discussions. At this stage, their feedback is critical for shaping the direction of the plan.
Mid Stages: As the project progresses, stakeholders participate in open houses where they can review concepts, share feedback, and ask questions.
Later Stages: Toward the end of the process, stakeholders can participate in presentations to see how their input has shaped the plan and provide any final comments.

Our Commitment to Stakeholders

The City of Whittier is committed to ensuring stakeholder input is meaningful and impactful. We aim to:

Listen: Gather input at every stage of the project through workshops, meetings, and public feedback opportunities.
Engage Broadly: Ensure that all voices, including those of underrepresented groups, are heard and considered.
Keep Stakeholders Informed: Share updates on project progress, decisions, and upcoming engagement opportunities.

Learn More and Stay Involved

To learn more about the role of stakeholders in the WEDP or to stay informed about engagement opportunities, stay tuned! Your insights and participation are key to making this plan a success.