10/07/2014 - Kuukpik Corp. holds groundbreaking for new office building (Press Release & Video)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – More than 100 people gathered to break ground for a new 60,000 square foot office building in Midtown Anchorage today.
Kuukpik Corporation, the village corporation for Nuiqsut, will own the building and occupy 10,000 sq. ft. of space for its Anchorage offices. Approximately 50,000 sq. ft. of space will be available for lease to other tenants. Companies interested in space should contact Dean Rampy of Kuukpik Corporation, at (907) 279-6220 or drampy@kuukpik.com.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the 2-acre project site on 36th Avenue, located between the Alaska Communications flagship store and Stewart Title of Alaska. The event included a traditional Inupiat dance performance by the Inugailik Drummers, followed by remarks and a gold shovel groundbreaking by Kuukpik Corp. and the building’s development team members.
The six-story building will offer panoramic views of the Chugach Mountains and the Alaska Range. Building amenities include a cultural area on the first floor, a fitness room and a generous outdoor plaza area. In addition to about 30 covered parking spaces on the first floor, the facility will offer bicycle parking and direct access to public transportation.
“Kuukpik Corporation’s mission is to develop innovative opportunities and partnerships to ensure and perpetuate the Kuukpikmuit’s (people of the Big River) self-sufficiency, economic growth and cultural heritage,” Lanston Chinn, chief executive officer of Kuukpik Corp. said. “This project exemplifies Kuukpik Corporation’s continued pursuit of balanced growth and development, while embracing traditional and new values.”
Nuiqsut is located on the Nechelik Channel in the North Slope Borough, about 35 miles from the Beaufort Sea coast. It was one of three abandoned Inupiat villages identified by ANCSA and was resettled in 1973 by 27 families from Barrow. For 18 months the families lived in tents while housing and other facilities were built.
Abundant in petroleum and natural gas deposits, the Colville River Delta lies 50 miles west of Prudhoe Bay. It is the site of the 429 million barrel Alpine oil field, operated by ConocoPhillips Alaska. Kuukpik owns the surface rights to portions of the oil field. Kuukpik Corporation and its partners are involved in many types of projects including gravel mobilization, pipe transportation, placement of pipe and facilities, and pipe welding and transportation.
“We are from the land that brings energy to the nation,” Isaac Nukapigak, president of Kuukpik Corp. said. “While we embrace our traditional lifestyle and protect our resources, we partner with other companies to ensure our shareholders and permanent residents of Nuiqsut share in the benefits of development.”
Construction of the building begins this fall and is scheduled for completion in December
of 2015. The project team includes commercial real estate developer Pfeffer Development, and design-build team Criterion General and kpb architects.
“The Pfeffer Development team prides itself helping clients achieve their goals in the built environment, while minimizing risk and guaranteeing results,” Mark Pfeffer, president of Pfeffer Development said. “For Kuukpik, we are particularly excited about facilitating their business goals while providing a solution that recognizes the cultural and history of the corporation’s shareholders.”
Photos of the event are posted at facebook.com/pfefferdevelopment.
More information on Kuukpik Corporation is available at kuukpik.com.