TNSDS has completed countless projects in all regions of Alaska from the Far North into the Interior and down to the Aleutians and the Southeast archipelago. Familiarity with different types of historic properties in Alaska and a commitment to preserving cultural heritage is key to the firm’s success.
TNSDS provided the Organized Village of Kasaan (OVK) with design guidance for the rehabilitation of a historic trail and replacement of historic footbridges within the Chief Son-I-Hat’s Whale House and Totem Historic District adhering to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings and satisfying Federal Highway Administration’s compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Funding for this project was part of the tribe’s overarching redevelopment plan for transforming the historic district into a heritage tourism attraction.
In response to proposed redevelopment, TNSDS conducted an architecture and history survey of the mid-twentieth century Spenard neighborhood. TNSDS crafted a historic context for the neighborhood, identified property types, and architectural styles, and evaluated individual buildings and a potential historic district for inclusion in the NRHP. TNSDS further provided recommendations to Cook Inlet Housing Authority for the neighborhood’s preservation and future development.
As part of the Historic Preservation Plan for Anchorage’s Four Original Neighborhoods, TNSDS completed a historic context for the Pilot’s Row neighborhood which was originally constructed as an FHA small housing development by military personnel. The context was subsequently used to evaluate individual buildings and the district as whole for inclusion in the NRHP.
Through a long-standing relationship with the Organized Village of Kake (OVK), TNSDS prepared a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for emergency stabilization efforts and documentation for Section 106 compliance. TNSDS developed preservation plans for the Keku Cannery, including design guidelines for preserving character and integrity during emergency stabilization. TNSDS also assisted in the development to historic structures reports (HSRs) for a row of cottages and Historic American Building Survey (HABS)-level documentation of the Main Cannery Building.
Under a Memorandum of Agreement between Alaska Formerly Used Defense Sites program, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Alaska Office of History and Archaeology, TNSDS documented the Valve House H as a contributing element of the Dutch Harbor Naval Operating Base and Fort Mears National Historic Landmark. TNSDS completed a short-format report, following the Historic American Engineering Survey (HAER) guidelines. The effort included high-quality, digital photographs with views of the principal facades, setting, additions, alterations, intrusions, interior views, landscaping, and unusual features per the National Register Photo Policy Fact Sheet. The report also included a historic context, as-built drawing, and documentation of the valve house and its associated pipeline system, with additional components complied from the existing information.
TNSDS provided Section consultation services to a local engineering firm for proposed upgrades to the Johnstone Point runway, a material source pit expansion, utilities trenching, and fuel line replacements. Using a developed research plan an Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) Permit was obtained from the US Forest Service, Chugach National Forest for archaeological survey on the north shore of Hinchinbrook Island. A literature and archival review helped to identify areas of previous disturbance and cultural resources investigative efforts. Archaeological field investigations included pedestrian survey, subsurface testing, and documentation of culturally modified trees (CMTs). Archaeological monitoring was completed in areas of significant soil depth.
TNSDS completed an archaeological survey to assist the US Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District in issuing a finding of effect under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for the selected route of a new natural gas pipeline in Cook Inlet. Field investigations were guided by a preliminary desktop review of the surrounding landscape and used to create a predictive model for undocumented archaeological resources. The field crew selected areas for subsurface investigation and testing, and assessed the condition of a previously impacted archaeological site that had been recommended eligible for listing in the NRHP. To mitigate the adverse effects to a historic property, the remaining portions of the site were excavated to prevent loss.
TNSDS deployed a team of archaeologists, architectural historians, and a tribal liaison to complete a Section 110 cultural resources inventory and evaluate historic properties at the Alcantra Armory Complex. The team completed field investigations, gathered oral histories, and collected contextual data, for synthesis into a comprehensive report that provided an extensive inventory and evaluation of the cultural and historic environment, and NRHP recommendations to be used for future undertakings.
TNSDS conducted a cultural resource survey and archaeological reconnaissance including limited subsurface testing, pedestrian survey, and building/ structure identification to aid the City of Nome in meeting Section 106 guidelines. An evaluation in accordance with the requirements set forth pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Alaska Historic Preservation Act was completed for any cultural resources within the proposed APE that were recommended eligible for listing on the NRHP. A recommendation of project effects to those historic properties was also provided to the City.
TNSDS completed a historic context for mid-twentieth century architecture in Alaska for the National Park Service Alaska Region. The document is intended to serve as a useful tool to help a diverse audience identify and evaluate Alaskan architecture built between 1945 and 1968 for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Architectural styles, building materials, building functions, historic events, and a roster of prominent architects and builders from the period are all presented in the guidebook. NPS published and released the context in 2018.
Following the Spenard neighborhood survey, TNSDS completed a Determination of Eligibility for the Anchorage Love Church at 3502 Spenard Road. The evaluation included an assessment of the physical condition and integrity.
TNSDS completed survey of 88 properties on Lincoln Street resulting in the development of an historic context from which the district may be evaluated for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Public meetings, surveys, and mailings were used to garner public opinion and gather important information on specific buildings. Information from research, survey, and public involvement was used to define a potential historic district and create a draft National Register nomination statement.
TNSDS conducted a cultural resource investigation in which all resources within the proposed Area of Potential Effect were identified and evaluated. A comprehensive report was produced providing information for recommendations to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Branch of Regional Archaeology for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
TNSDS provided archaeological monitoring services to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) during on-going remediation of a Formerly Used Defense Site on Sanak Island in the Aleutian Archipelago. Discovered cultural materials were documented. Eligibility recommendations and a summary of effects on historic properties were presented to the USACE.
