The city of Anchorage has launched a digital permitting and building plan review system that officials say will save time and money for architects, developers and city planners.
The new "e-plan" system means that after a customer walks in the door, submits a building application and pays the fee, the plans can be reviewed online.
Architects and developers can now submit plans electronically and see comments left by plan reviewers in real time.
The idea of electronic plan review at Anchorage's permit center has been discussed for years. In December 2014, during the administration of Mayor Dan Sullivan, the Anchorage Assembly approved $500,000 for the project, based on an early estimate of the project cost.
A $625,738 contract was ultimately awarded in July 2015 to Avolve Software, an Arizona-based company. The contract included training for city staff.
The installation finished earlier this year, and a "soft launch" began in July, said Ross Noffsinger, senior plan review engineer for the city. Noffsinger said his department wanted time to train customers and staff before advertising that the service was now available.
Jason Swift, a principal at Anchorage-based ECI Architecture and an early adopter of the system, started using it in July for a new Kendall Auto Group dealership on the Old Seward Highway.
Swift attended a news conference with Mayor Ethan Berkowitz at City Hall Tuesday morning that was called to announce the new system. Swift said it's been much easier to communicate with the city about the plans.
"We're able to get the owner, contractor, entire team all in this program at the same time," Swift said. "It's a much more transparent experience for us."
Find more information about electronic plan review on the city's building safety website.