We have reached an important and vital moment in Girdwood's history. The Alyeska Resort Master Plan will soon be going through the public process. Prior to submitting this Plan to the Municipality, the Resort has asked several Girdwood residents and business owners to begin circulating this Plan in order to let the people of Girdwood have advanced knowledge of what they have been working so diligently towards all summer.
The goals of this Master Plan are to create the following Resort environment:
- FAMILY FRIENDLY - Lower area with lower slope angle. Kids Ranch and Ski School facilities in two locations. Magic carpets. Ski in and ski out designs.
- PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY - Separate automobiles from pedestrians. Winner Creek trail head at south parking lot. View corridors.
- FOUR SEASON ADVENTURE DESTINATION - Music venues. Walking trails. Biking trails. Nordic trails. Outdoor Adventure Area (may include Terrain Park, Mountain Coaster, and Zip Line). Race terrain.
- THIRD PARTY PARTICIPATION - Retail lease opportunities. Commercial lease opportunities. Food and beverage lease opportunities. Lodging facilities.
- ENHANCED PARKING AND ACCESS - Parking lots at north and south ends of development. Underground parking at Village. Facilitates day skier use of Alyeska Tram and balances use of mountain access.
- ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE - Low density (much lower density than that proposed by previous owner). Small scale of buildings (no high rise buildings). Protected wet lands. Added water features. Preservation of trees and open areas. Pursuit of economically viable bio mass and hydro opportunities. Carbon footprint offset through "Green Tags" program.
In addition, key elements to be improved on the mountain in support of a self sustaining Resort include:
- NEW AND REALIGNED LIFTS AND TRAMS
- HIKING AND MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS
- ENHANCED SNOW MAKING
- IMPROVED SKI AND SNOW BOARD TERRAIN
- ADDITIONAL SKI AND SNOW BOARD TERRAIN
This is only a brief and general description of the Plan. For more information, be sure to see it presented by the Resort. The Resort will be presenting their plan to the Land Use Committee on Tuesday November 13 and the Board of Supervisors on Monday November 19. Planning and Zoning will hold a public hearing in Girdwood on Monday December 10.
These meeting dates are important. Not only will you have the opportunity to learn more, but it is crucial that if you support the vision as described above that you come out and show your support as those in attendance will have the ability to vote on this Plan.
For a copy of the Alyeska Resort Master Plan, click on the following link: .b5z.net/i/u/6082596/f/Area_Master_Plan.pdf . This is a 3 MB file. You may need to right click on the link and save the file to your computer.
I also have a large print out of this Master Plan in my office if you would like to drop by and take a look.
