The reconstruction of the Seward Animal Shelter will continue to be a priority for the city heading into its next capital improvement plan. That’s according to a Capital Improvement Plan Prioritization survey circulated among the Seward City Council.

Survey results show that most council members are in favor of the current proposal for the new animal shelter. Among issues identified with the existing shelter are that it has not been significantly improved within the last 20 years, it is located inside a tsunami inundation zone and it is too small to accommodate services provided by the shelter.

A model of the new facility was constructed by Seward Police Department Chief Karl Shaefermeyer and would have a total area of around 2,600 square feet. The space would also have a parking lot that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, an indoor bathroom and indoor and outdoor kennels. The city hopes to open the new shelter next spring.

City council members who responded to the survey included Mayor Christy Terry, Vice Mayor Tony Baclaan, Sue McClure, John Osenga and Liz DeMoss. Survey responses from council members Sharyl Seese and Ristine Casagranda were not included in the results.

Of projects that would be paid for with the city’s general fund, four of five council members said they were in support of the new animal shelter as proposed by city administration. Baclaan said he was not. In rating project priority, he said he considered projects that could “improve the livelihood of citizens” while also generating revenue for the city. Such projects include adding additional waterfront utility campground sites and construction at the community recreation center.

Terry called the animal shelter “low-hanging fruit” and said she would like to move forward with the project “as quickly as possible.” Similar sentiments were echoed by Osenga, who said he liked the plan presented by city administration and commented “let’s get it done.”

The animal shelter also emerged as a priority among 10 city department heads who were asked a similar question. Of those, four ranked the animal shelter as their top general fund priority, one ranked it as second priority and two ranked it as their third priority.

Survey results can be found on the city’s website at seward.org.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.