Kelsey Dock Interpretive Center

Valdez is an attractive tourist destination for many reasons, including its local history, acting as a gateway to Prince William Sound (and its fishing), serving as the terminus of the Alaska Pipeline, and its access to the best that Alaska has to offer. With an expected increase in Cruise Ship visitation and the adjacent Ferry Terminal, Kelsey Dock is a primary location for visitors to be introduced to what Valdez has to offer. This project included a renovation and expansion of an existing restroom building into an information center, the addition of a small plaza around a sculpture that portrays the workforce that built the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, and the development of numerous interpretive panels. The focus of these panels isn’t to provide knowledge but instead to provide information to people for how to connect to activities within and around Valdez, depending on their interest and their available time. The goal is that this site welcomes people to Valdez and encourages them to explore and find a fulfilling way to satisfy their interests: adventure seeker, cultural learner, neighborhood explorer, or wildlife enthusiast.