Community Addressing Project

Community Addressing Project

The City and Borough of Wrangell is developing a more complete, consistent addressing system. The project will improve the Borough’s maps and address records, establish a process for assigning official addresses, and review local rules for road names and street numbers.

The primary purpose is emergency response. When someone calls for help, a clear address and an accurate map help dispatchers and responders identify the location they need to reach. Official addresses also help residents with deliveries, utilities, and other services.

How does this relate to Next Generation 911?

Next Generation 911, or NG911, uses geographic information to help emergency communications systems identify locations. DATAMARK Technologies will help the Borough develop address point and road data using standards established by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). Accurate, consistent local data is an important foundation for emergency response and future NG911 capabilities.

Project objectives

The Borough is working to:

• Establish a more complete addressing database and mapped addressing points for parcels, prioritizing those with existing structures.
• Identify properties that need an official address.
• Review duplicate road names and addresses that do not follow a clear numbering sequence, including odd and even numbering.
• Update local code provisions for road naming, address assignment, building numbering, and the display of street numbers.
• Create a clear process for residents to request and receive an official address.

The Borough’s goal is to limit changes to existing addresses as much as possible while resolving issues that could make a location difficult to identify in creation of a standard addressing system across the Borough.

Field Work & Data Collection

Two GIS field specialists from DATAMARK Technologies will be in Wrangell for up to two weeks beginning the week of September 21, 2026. They will collect data to establish an addressing point for every parcel along the road system, both in town and out the road. They are not traveling to remote areas during this field visit.

The specialists will conduct the work from within their vehicle, without entering private property. If further inspection is necessary, the Borough will coordinate with the affected property owners. The specialists will carry a letter from the Planning Office explaining their work.

No addresses are being changed during this field visit. Residents do not need to take action because the specialists are working in their area.

A mapped point and an official address are different

The project will add mapped locations to the Borough’s addressing database. A mapped point helps the Borough identify a parcel or structure, but it does not, by itself, give the property an official address. An official address must be formally assigned through the Planning Office.

What if my property does not have an official address?

Residents who need an official address will be able to request one from the Planning Office. The office will review the property information and formally assign an address through the Borough’s addressing process. As the project progresses, the Borough will share more information about how to make a request and what information residents will need to provide.

If you need guidance about your property now, contact the Planning Office at 907-874-2381 or kthomas@wrangell.com.

What if my existing address needs to change?

After fieldwork, DATAMARK and Borough staff will review the collected data, existing addresses, and road names. Some addresses may need to be reassigned because of duplicate road names, unclear numbering, or other issues that affect how reliably a location can be identified.

If your address needs to be reassigned, the Planning Office will contact you directly and work with you through the process. Finding a possible issue in the field does not mean a change has been made. The Borough will review proposed changes and share information with affected residents before new addresses are finalized.

What happens next?

Field collection is one step in a longer project. DATAMARK and Borough staff will review the data, develop an addressing plan, assess possible address and road name changes, and prepare updates to local addressing rules. The project also includes opportunities for community engagement before the work is complete.

Once addresses are formally assigned, residents will need to display their street number so it is visible from the street. The Planning Office will make assigned street numbers available and provide more information about display requirements as the addressing process is finalized.

Questions?

For questions on the community addressing project, contact:
Kate Thomas – Economic Development Director
(907) 874-2381 |  kthomas@wrangell.com