Kipusvik Retail & Cinema Complex

Description

Bethel coordinated the design, site development, and construction of this 57,800 sf mixed use facility which houses a retail grocery and general merchandise store (Kipusvik, Yup’ik for “a place to purchase”), two movie theaters (Suurvik Cinema, meaning “show hall”), and a central food pavilion. The site for the project was a 5.26 acre parcel in the community of Bethel, Alaska. Site development considerations included: commercial and public access; visibility; utilities; and weather (snow shed). To develop the site, clearing, grubbing, and stripping; excavation and backfill; grading and drainage; site surveys; and geotechnical investigations were conducted. Since neither a public water main nor public sewer main were located adjacent or near the project site, a 5,000 gallon domestic water tank and a 6,000 gallon sewage holding tank were installed along with two 15,000 gallon fire sprinkler tanks.

The project consisted of a 43,200 SF retail grocery and general merchandise store, a 7,700 SF central food court/pavilion, and a 6,900 SF two-screen movie theatre. The store is the largest and most modern shopping facility ever built in a remote Alaskan Eskimo village. Offerings include groceries, fresh meat, fresh produce, refrigerated and frozen products as well as an in-house bakery and full-service deli. Non-food items include health and beauty aids, electronics, toys, shoes, domestics, and family clothing. Components of the store include the sales floor, offices, storage, walk-in coolers, break room, employee toilet rooms, receiving/work room, kitchen, bakery and truck-height loading dock.

A centralized entrance serves both the store and theater opening into a common area that serves as a gathering space and movie queuing area. The deli/bakery and concession stand are located together in this common space, providing a joint food service area. Public seating is provided on the first floor and on a mezzanine. The commons is approximately 7,700 SF, including a 1,750 SF mezzanine.

Mechanical and electrical spaces are provided throughout the facility. Three fan rooms each serve one portion of the building. Central boiler, electrical, telecommunication, and data communication rooms serve the entire building. Public toilet rooms, located adjacent to the theater, serve both store and theater patrons. Janitor closets are located in the store and adjacent to the theaters.

Client

Bethel Native Corporation

Location

Bethel, Alaska

Period of Performance

9/2012 - 8/2014

Contract Value

$19.2M