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 three-phase 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. All of these entities plan to move to the new facility once it is constructed.

The city needs about four acres of flat usable space to build a new building, provide space for emergency vehicles, and accommodate growth. The site at 1201 Copper River Highway, identified as Tract A-1, USS 3370, and ASLS 79-265, has been flagged to show the boundary of the proposed building area.

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. The city emphasized that site access is strictly limited to pedestrian access only. All individuals entering the site assume full responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage.

No work on the land may begin until the city has reviewed the proposals and given written approval. No person may enter the site with machinery without first being granted access by the city.

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.

All parties will share all soil and rock findings with the city.

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. The meeting will allow interested parties and the city to communicate prior to site access regarding the logistics of the exploration. If there are multiple interested parties, this would be the time to communicate how they will work together on the site to minimize disturbance during exploration.

Phase Two runs from Monday, June 22, 2026, to Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. Following the approval of proposals submitted during Phase One, approved parties will be able to conduct an exploratory excavation to determine whether suitable rock can be extracted from the property. Exploration and site stabilization must be completed by the end of the day on September 30, 2026. No access will be provided to anyone who did not submit an approved proposal during the Phase One period.