Girdwood Commercial Areas and Transportation Master Plan

Project Date: 1999
Project Manager: Chris Beck
Client: Municipality of Anchorage
Location: Girdwood

Girdwood is a small town located south of Anchorage on Turnagain Arm. Residents cherish the community's friendly small-town atmosphere and ready access to the valley's mostly undeveloped forests and mountains, as well as world-class terrain at Alyeska Resort, Alaska's largest ski area. Over the last 10 years, the Municipality and the community have worked together to hold onto the qualities that make Girdwood a great place to live, while at the same time planning to realize the town's potential to become a premier year round resort destination.

Chris Beck, as part of a team led by landscape architect Eldon Beck, worked with local businesses, land owners, and residents to create commercial areas that are pedestrian friendly, economically successful, and that reflect Girdwood's special personality. Community work sessions helped develop plans for sidewalks, transit, trails and other features. The team also developed a master plan for transportation improvements to support the needs of current and future Girdwood residents and visitors. The integrated master plans were adopted by the Municipal Assembly, and are currently guiding ongoing public and private development in Girdwood.

Concept Plan for same area, from the approved Commercial Area Master Plan