Fairbanks preservation commission may send Assembly a report on SS Nenana concerns

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Historic Preservation Commission could approve a report to the Borough Assembly on the SS Nenana restoration at a special meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20. The special meeting agenda says the report would cover project status, identified concerns and recommendations for the National Historic Landmark sternwheeler at Pioneer Park.

The agenda item includes "communication received from the Administration," which is not in the 40-page published packet.

At the commission's June 2 meeting, Chair Matthew Reckard reported a lack of response from engineering and concerns about the bow's water diverter, accessibility changes, potential federal law and building code violations, fire codes for historic buildings and recent incidents, according to the June 2 minutes. The minutes do not say what the incidents were or which laws or codes are at issue. At the same meeting, Long-Range Planner III Kayde Whiteside reported recent construction work, the start of the warranty period and a spring 2027 inspection for warranty corrections.

Reckard signed a March 2025 commission letter to Mayor Grier Hopkins saying "it is inappropriate to treat its repair, maintenance and operation as if it were like any other borough facility." In March of this year, commissioners discussed public access to the bow, ADA and building code compliance and strengthening requirements for qualified oversight.

In July 2025 the Assembly Finance Committee voted 4 to 3 to add about $396,000 to Graham Industrial Coatings' restoration contract, raising it to about $2.69 million. A Public Works memo said the change order covered bow repair where significant decay and rot was discovered.

In June the Assembly voted 8 to 0 to accept up to $485,440 of a $500,000 National Park Service grant to the North Star Community Foundation for wood and coating repairs. Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Boyer wrote in a June memo that the boat "incurs considerable costs to the Borough tax base."

Reckard disclosed in 2023 and 2024 that he worked as a Design Alaska consultant under a borough contract on the boat. Vice-Chair Patricia Peirsol found a conflict of interest in September 2023, then ruled in June 2024 that none existed.

The commission meets at 5:30 pm in the Chizmar Conference Room of the Juanita Helms Administration Center.