The port of anchorage: Q&A with Bill Sheffield. .

• Author: Mehta, Neil
• Position: Interview

Bill Sheffield has devoted the last five decades to developing the resources and infrastructure of the state of Alaska. As a business leader, he transformed a single Anchorage hotel into Sheffield Enterprises, a network of 16 hotels, which, in its prime, employed more than 700 Alaskans. As governor, Sheffield was responsible for the state's successful acquisition and reorganization of the Alaska Railroad, a corporation that he would later go on to lead.

So, in the winter of 2001, when Anchorage Mayor George Wuerch was in search of a port director to administer a massive facelift to the Port of Anchorage, he knew that Sheffield was the right person for the position. Sheffield accepted Wuerch's offer and has been at the port's helm ever since.

Under former Gov. Sheffield's leadership, the port has initiated an aggressive development plan that includes the renovation and upgrading of existing facilities, construction of a multipurpose dock, improvement of rail and road access to the port, as well as the deepening of the harbor along the dock.

It is projected that the final cost of the construction will be between $170 million and $200 million. However, Sheffield is confident that the project is worth its hefty price tag, asserting that the developments will enable the port to better supply the raw materials, petroleum products, building and construction equipment, and military supplies that fuel the state's economy.

Gov. Sheffield recently took time from his busy schedule to discuss with Alaska Business Monthly his development plans for the Port of Anchorage.

ABM: One of your key contributions as port director has been the outlining of an aggressive, multi-year capital improvement plan. What are the key objectives of this project?

Sheffield: The objective is to expand the port to meet our growing needs for the next 50 to 75 years. We intend to meet this objective by doing several things. Among the plans, we will rehab, widen and develop dock facilities, build a rail line and road behind the port and dredge our harbor to a depth of 35 feet to 45 feet.

This port is critical to Alaska's economy. We serve 80 percent of the state of Alaska, everything from Cordova to the Arctic. The goal is therefore to provide the people who rely on us with the best port possible.

ABM: What has been the reaction to your plan, thus far?

Sheffield: Very positive. Everyone from our employees to our customers recognize the fact that they will benefit greatly from this...