Cordova Seeks Rock Extraction Deal to Fund New Public Safety Building

The City of Cordova is accepting proposals for exploratory excavation at 1201 Copper River Highway, launching a process that could allow contractors to extract and sell rock from city land in exchange for preparing the site for a new Public Safety Building.

The current Public Safety Building sits in the tsunami-inundation zone and is near the end of its useful life, according to a notice issued by City Planner Amanda Hadley Coward on May 8, 2026. The facility houses the Cordova Police Department, Cordova Municipal Jail, Cordova Volunteer Fire Department, Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Alaska State Troopers.

The city needs about four acres of flat usable space to build a new building, provide space for emergency vehicles, and accommodate growth.

Proposals are being accepted from Friday, May 8, 2026, to Monday, June 8, 2026, at 5 p.m. During this first phase, interested parties may walk the site at their own risk, but no vehicles or heavy equipment are permitted. No work on the land may begin until the city has reviewed the proposals and given written approval.

A mandatory pre-site access meeting will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the City Center Community Rooms A and B. A Zoom link may be available upon request for remote participation.

Following approval of proposals, selected parties will conduct exploratory excavation from Monday, June 22, 2026, to Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. If suitable rock is discovered, interested parties may then submit a letter of interest proposing an exchange of rock in return for excavation and site preparation. Letters of interest will be reviewed following the Land Disposal process outlined in Cordova Municipal Code 7.40.

Project Requirements

Proposals must address 14 specific project components. These include experience with similar work, company information and qualifications, exploration plan and timeline, past performance, proof of insurance, plans for brush and debris, plan for soil, stumps, and other materials, road plans with a minimum width of 15 feet, equipment to be used, locations for roads and test holes, pre-excavation site stabilization plans, water drainage plans, post-excavation site stabilization and erosion control plans, and plans for restoring the site and leaving it in good condition.

Selected parties will be responsible for all activities conducted on-site. This includes compliance with applicable laws, permits, safety requirements, and any damage resulting from their operations.

The site at 1201 Copper River Highway is identified as Tract A-1, USS 3370, and ASLS 79-265. The city has flagged the boundary of the proposed building area.

For additional information or questions about this process, contact the City Planning Department at (907) 424-6224 or [email protected], or schedule an in-person meeting. The full notice is available on the city website.