Festival Fairbanks, a nonprofit organization, has facilitated revitalization of the waterfront along the Chena River, considered the area.s .crown jewel.. In the early 1890s, the riverbank was a vibrant public center for both transportation and recreation. While subsequent decades saw the community.s economy shift away from the river, locals recognized an opportunity to revitalize the riverfront where the historic city of Fairbanks was founded.
Revitalization plans along the river include a multi-use bikeway and promenade, river outlooks and landscaping. A new pedestrian bridge across the river has also recently been completed in honor of William R. Wood, founder of Festival Fairbanks. The Land and Water Conservation Fund helped to purchase undeveloped riverfront property in the downtown area that will be set aside as a preserved green belt.
Festival Fairbanks facilitated the project, bringing both public and private sectors to the table. As a result, diverse funding sources have contributed to the project, including local foundations, corporate and private sectors, and Federal Transportation Enhancements funds. Local business, business leaders, the City of Fairbanks, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, and private landholders submitted letters of endorsement.
An additional $1 million in funds has been allotted for further upgrades to the Chena River Pathway, most of this money coming from the Alaskan Department of Transportation, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, and the Community and System Preservation Program.
Goal
The revitalization of the downtown Fairbanks riverfront area.