The Kenai Waterfront Revitalization proposal took another step forward during the latest Kenai City Council Meeting on August 2nd. The ordinance (3366-2023) seeks to increase estimated revenues and general fund appropriations to complete rezoning of the waterfront area as identified in the 2022 Kenai Waterfront Revitalization Assessment.
The aim of the Waterfront Revitalization is to maximize the potential of the Kenai Waterfront Area to support a thriving business, residential, recreational, and cultural community.
The area covers approximately 160-acres, which includes city-owned and privately-owned uplands and tidelands located in the area adjacent to Bridge Access Road beginning at Millennium Square, located east of the Kenai Senior Center, to the Kenai City Dock within the City of Kenai near the mouth of the Kenai River where it meets the Cook Inlet.
In May of 2022 the City of Kenai passed its waterfront proposal on to the McKinley Research Group for an Assessment and Feasibility Study. Once the study was complete, the group shared the results of the visioning session over a series of public work sessions, and introduced a concepts workshop process that involved an overview of the preferred concepts for visioning presented for public input. Three different concepts were developed with a landscape architect who was able to draw the concepts for residents to consider and vote based on preference.
The new ordinance takes the feedback from these public work sessions, and seeks rezoning to meet specifications of the preferred concepts. Those include the potential creation of a destination facility, or “anchor tenant” such as a convention center, lodge, hotel, or other facility that meets local needs and draws visitors; new businesses such as restaurants, breweries, tackle shops, tour operators, as well as general commercial and retail; support for boardwalks, park and open space, campgrounds and recreation, as well as expanding and improving river access; and a plan to integrate existing seafood plants into the overall revitalization effort to meet the community’s desire to represent an authentic working waterfront.
A series of proposed meetings and public hearings was included as a part of the ordinance.
Click here for more information regarding the project and further details from the previously mentioned work session.
Click here for more information regarding the project and further details from the previously mentioned work session.
The ordinance was approved as a part of the consent agenda.