|
Mertarvik Community
Layout Planning |
| In July 2006, the
Division of Community & Regional Affairs assisted the Newtok
Traditional Council with an application through
DCCED's
Mini-Grant Assistance Program to obtain funding for the
community layout planning process at Mertarvik.
Intended to be a
component of a larger, comprehensive relocation planning effort for
the new village site, the community layout would provide the
"blueprint" for the efficient and orderly development of the new
community. The Newtok Traditional Council was subsequently awarded a
mini-grant for $30,000 to develop a community layout the following
year. |
|
In an effort to "jump-start" the community layout planning process,
in fall 2006, the Village Safe Water Program used funding to
identify the best location at Mertarvik for sustainable water and
sewer infrastructure development. Alternative layouts were
developed from which the community selected an alternative based on
a circular village center concept. The siting of the village
is at an elevated location to allow for gravity-fed sewer lines.
The final community layout would be based on this preliminary
water/sewer layout. |
|
Figure 1, below,
provides an overview of where the new village would be sited at
Mertarvik.
Download a PDF file of Figure 1. |
|
 |
|
Figure 2, below,
provides a closer view of the preliminary layout.
Download a PDF file of Figure 2. |
|
 |
|
Figure 3, below, shows where water and sewer lines might be laid
out. A gravity-fed sewer line (red) leads downhill to the village
sewer lagoon.
Download a PDF file of Figure 3. |
|
 |
|
Figure 7, provides a layout for the predecessor to the community
layout -- emergency evacuation and pioneer/construction
infrastructure.
Download a PDF file of Figure 7. |
|
 |
|
In October 2007, the
Newtok Traditional Council hired HDR Alaska, Inc. to develop the
final community layout plan. The community layout planning
process took place over a six month period. Two community
planning workshops were held in Newtok. Through this
process, three alternative layouts were developed, from which the
community selected a preferred alternative.
The final community
layout is shown below.
Download a PDF file of the Mertarvik Community Layout Plan. |
|
 |
|
The HDR consultants and Division of
Community & Regional Affairs (DCRA) staff carried out two community
planning workshops in the village to develop the three alternative
layouts and the selection of the preferred alternative. DCRA
staff presented the final community layout to the village in June
2008. |
|
Village members listen as the final
community layout is presented. |
|
Sally Russell Cox (DCRA) and Stanley Tom
present the final community layout to the village. |
Children from the village help with the
snacks for the meeting. |
|
|
|
For more information, please
contact:
Sally Russell Cox, Planner
Newtok Planning Group
Coordinator
Division of Community & Regional Affairs
907 269-4588
sally.cox@alaska.gov
|
|
|