Tok Visitors Center
Study Scope and Process
This study begins the process of planning, designing, and constructing
a new Alaska Highway/Alaska Public Lands Information Center
and associated Rest Area in the Tok vicinity. This study
was sponsored by the Alaska Departments of Transportation
and Public Facilities, Economic and Community Development,
and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The purpose has been
to determine:
- those activities which maybe accommodated in the facility,
- the anticipated size of both the facility and its site, and
- potential locations/sites within the Tok vicinity which could accommodate this facility.
The planning process included data gathering meetings and discussions
with the agencies which might occupy the facility, with
potential users (visitor services providers), and members
of the Tok community.
Consideration has been given to co-locating with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service Headquarters facility, since the Tetlin
National Wildlife Refuge, which Fish & Wildlife manages,
is an important increment of the public lands in the region.
The concept for this co-location is “one site, two roofs.”
Using this approach, separate federal funds for Fish & Wildlife
Service facility construction will be required. The approach
adopted for this project is to assure that sufficient land
is available on or adjacent to the Alaska Public Lands Information
Center site for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service headquarters
facility.
Results
Currently, it is anticipated that the area of the Alaska Public
Lands Information Center will be on the order of 9,500 –10,000
square feet and will require a site of approximately 5 acres.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters facility
will require an additional one and one half acres for a
total site of six and one half acres.
As part of the site evaluation process, a dozen or more locations
and sites were evaluated, and three candidate locations
identified. Both Sites A and B aggregate two separate parcels
which are owned by different private entities. Site C is
owned by the State of Alaska Mental Health Trust, which
requires fair market compensation for use of its properties.
Next Steps
This study only represents an initial step and provides the initial
concept of facility requirements and site options. It lays
important groundwork needed to secure commitments for future
funding for construction, staffing, facility operations
and maintenance. Once agency agreements are reached and
funding commitments secured, the concepts in this study
can move forward. This project provides an opportunity to
develop a showcase visitor facility in the Tok area that
provides lasting benefits not only to travelers, but also
to the Tok community and all state residents.
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