[{"_1":2,"_106":-5,"_107":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6370166,"mediaKeyId","2152092-0fe54dc6e9e9e64b4f05bf8c82356879","parentId",2152092,"title","Assembly urges administration to pursue housing incentives in Opportunity Zones, and backs state housing-trust funding; Action Plan progress accepted","audioSeconds",77,"startMs",3680000,"endMs",3757000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2152092-0fe54dc6e9e9e64b4f05bf8c82356879&start=3680&end=3757","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2152092-0fe54dc6e9e9e64b4f05bf8c82356879/thumbnail_3680000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6370166/Anchorage-Municipality/Alaska/Assembly-urges-administration-to-pursue-housing-incentives-in-Opportunity-Zones-and-backs-state-housing-trust-funding-Action-Plan-progress-accepted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370166-debb09ba9cfd2ecc4e4639ee849ac667/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149326&Signature=c9j4T5meCXD4R9De-NO5xGFcD9gcjC-Yxv1--kYv~a16iQtxC0Qs7IXNxW~wUwNEpd2PQ1pqEL8eIDze-soLw2TogV4ia90c2R~fF9L23L~y24vXul3RY-7QkznxmB5IEthtpuh3Ze-ME7ScgG7KJT1hGO3pGFZXqGKXIUX8jPjOAvM3HZEqH34VqQA9xQnVo-U39JWLkH2T10i2H~A38d6IZOOMzTsX1zRF9F-AQR78ZFm3BT7rj7W3mA817spl5jSDo1ooz121glUDcrgaq~TswGhPgS8Kx~XEJdDm-2QEHTSAK8PmmBQqmv6asiuC9IlvqA0VkPU2JxngX-9qFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Municipality of Anchorage","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Anchorage Assembly on Jan. 21 voted to urge the administration to explore expedited permitting and fee waivers for housing projects located in federal Opportunity Zones, and to report quarterly on progress. The measure (AR 2025-25 S, as amended) passed 11–0.

Why it matters: Assembly members said the policy aims to reduce costs and speed delivery of housing in areas the federal government has designated for economic investment. Sponsors framed the resolution as one tool in a broader toolkit that includes tax abatements and transit-supportive corridor work.

Main points and debate
- Supporters said targeted fee relief and faster permitting in Opportunity Zones could incentivize builders to develop sites that carry higher affordability potential and are near transit. An amendment added a requirement that the administration provide quarterly reports to the assembly as AIMs and include maps of the zones.
- Critics and several members urged caution: the administration’s initial estimate suggested a potential fiscal impact and the need to identify funding to cover foregone permit revenue if fee waivers are implemented. The administration and finance committee members asked for a fiscal note and a plan showing how permitting gains might offset costs.

Related housing items
- AR 2025-26 (resolution supporting capital funding to the Alaska Housing Access Program, HAP) passed 11–0 after a sponsor amendment urging the governor to maintain the trust’s legislative appropriation in light of past vetoes. Supporters called HAP a vehicle to leverage public and private funds for housing trusts.
- The Assembly accepted an information memorandum on Housing Action Plan progress, noting code changes and process improvements are under way; several members called for a more rapid permitting culture shift to turn policy into built units.

Quote
\"We have to get out of our own way if we want to get more housing built,\" Assemblymember Brawley said during floor remarks supporting the resolution and urging work to streamline permitting alongside incentive ideas.

Next steps
The administration will be asked to produce quarterly AIM reports showing progress on any pilot fee-waiver program, maps of Opportunity Zones, and a fiscal note describing the potential budgetary implications if the municipality were to waive permit revenue. Separately, the Assembly plans outreach to the state to support full funding for HAP in the 2025 legislative session.

Ending
The Assembly framed the action as a policy signal: it requests the administration to explore targeted incentives and report back with concrete fiscal and implementation steps rather than immediately adopting fee waivers without a funding plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Regular - January 21, 2025 - 2025-01-21 17:00:00","oneSentenceSummary","The Assembly passed a resolution urging the administration to develop a program of fee waivers and expedited permitting for housing projects in federally designated opportunity zones and supported a capital ask to preserve funding for the state Housing Access Program (HAP). Members also accepted a municipal Housing Action Plan progress report.","taxTitle","Anchorage Municipality, Alaska","taxId",2653,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6370171,"Assembly approves design funding and ballot placement for Basher Trailhead parking after neighborhood backing; construction estimates debated",1494,3780000,5274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2152092-0fe54dc6e9e9e64b4f05bf8c82356879&start=3780&end=5274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2152092-0fe54dc6e9e9e64b4f05bf8c82356879/thumbnail_3780000.jpg","/articles/6370171/Anchorage-Municipality/Alaska/Assembly-approves-design-funding-and-ballot-placement-for-Basher-Trailhead-parking-after-neighborhood-backing-construction-estimates-debated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370171-5208837ce7610bd27d48d42cb1ac2f6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149326&Signature=I6iDO6BCGpWwte8LB33JSbQr0oqwmGZhI4HrvfvjZebxzJbnA7TS11x8tUB8Yl9NNjthShuPRFRI2ukL37HK9KwdYWQTTBncGbVGnZrdj64xFMGy1EvSdbbvs1ufK9E7RYXq01y08iWuKrAj8FzclElLWLhy~-1KFokFnWNqK7eU57KiRBIb0ySsMgl2EKHhYF0SrGO-N-46xGmVZGJ54PsacHTZ0C-uG0kGO97msninQnEIhc7lfd9eD1EOfrCwpxsCW0k1ITi~ZcK1kz11abEr7roNEMmiLOii~Ebxe~xRD-nnow98pG33ZHAEPeiSxhjRBMbbTI~Q0FW7bD~9uA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anchorage Assembly voted Jan. 21 to place a CASA (Chugach-area service-area) proposition on the April 1 ballot for an expanded Basher Road Trailhead parking lot, a project supporters say will improve safety and access to Chugach State Park for East Anchorage residents.

Why it matters: Basher Trailhead is a popular access point for Chugach hiking, ski and bike trails; neighbors and trail users testified that overflow parking along Basher Road creates hazardous conditions. Supporters argued a modest municipal parking lot will reduce roadside congestion, improve sight lines and distribute visitor pressure across park entry points.

Community support and testimony
- The Basher Community Council and other neighborhood representatives told the Assembly they have discussed the issue for years and passed motions backing a municipal overflow lot. Basher council testimony recounted prior planning and a 2024 state-design grant that was vetoed by the governor.
- Residents described full lots on weekends, cars parking on the street and frequent pedestrian crossings in narrow sections. Glen Alps and Basher-area leaders said the lot would serve both Chugach and Bicentennial park users.

Cost, design and what the ordinance does
The assembly considered two dollar approaches during the meeting. Administration staff and city public-works advisers recommended a two-step approach: fund a design and engineering package first so the city can produce a bid-ready plan and accurate construction estimate before selling bonds for construction.

Sponsors and several council members urged placing a larger construction amount on the ballot now. After an amendment and discussion, the Assembly adopted a version that:
- Places the Basher Trailhead project and related CASA items on the April 1 ballot.
- Approves $300,000 for design as the initial step and adds an assembly intent statement directing staff to include construction funding in the 2026 CIP after design is complete. The main ordinance passed 11–0.

Debate highlights
Assembly members repeatedly said they want the project to move forward but differed on whether the ballot should include only design funding or both design and construction estimates. Supporters stressed urgency and the project’s long history in community plans; others said a full engineering design is needed to set a reliable construction budget and avoid returning to voters with a shortfall.

Quote
\"This will alleviate the problems by expanding the lot and relocating the entrance,\" said Bruce Talbot, acting chair of the Glen Alps Road Service Area Board, describing the safety hazards caused by roadside parking.

Next steps
If voters approve the CASA proposition on April 1, the administration will use the design funding to produce bid-ready documents, then return to the Assembly or the ballot as required to fund construction. Assembly members also discussed other short-term options, such as exploring state partnerships, MOUs with state parks for management and electronic-fee maintenance arrangements used elsewhere in Alaska.

Ending
The Basher Trailhead measure will join the April 1 ballot items; design work can begin if voters approve the ordinance. The Assembly added language signaling its intent to fund construction in the out-year CIP after the design phase.","The Assembly approved a Chugach-area CASA proposition that would fund Basher Trailhead improvements if voters agree. Community councils backed the expansion; members debated whether to seek full construction funding or first approve design work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6370175,"Downtown businesses and residents press Assembly for Townsquare Park redesign as parks bond heads to voters",6507,1292000,7799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2152092-0fe54dc6e9e9e64b4f05bf8c82356879&start=1292&end=7799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2152092-0fe54dc6e9e9e64b4f05bf8c82356879/thumbnail_1292000.jpg","/articles/6370175/Anchorage-Municipality/Alaska/Downtown-businesses-and-residents-press-Assembly-for-Townsquare-Park-redesign-as-parks-bond-heads-to-voters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370175-06ad797a1fff3a3ed958bf0b466871de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149326&Signature=Hq4YSrM6G~z4~UgOqTrbNxwnIbQ1TWxGzepdE0TaAOYu65O35SmP4Ryynw1n63OvODivglHpKwcyrr12hzdPYjcpNnmd0rGq5Py4DydO-mS3LOELm8CehaDUJvUEX-Bt1SybZT7mVYluY~p6GOxHjmpmGutgsmmcl2f5yKnsV-~ro75nbQTDhzV4Y70u3HwV4j9~wwRlhGoffk9xq1UtqsSeyRfyfENEpIwj2xEMAHLAihakhk9A8v8osd~5SgOWo-BfAJay4HK6Fk0kd9zGDj-xSxPqCktTc7~dSxdOHKnEsSH-6418H5XVw6auu3eivM1WqlGmdImTlnKax1YRwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anchorage business and civic leaders told the Assembly on Jan. 21 that Townsquare Park’s condition is depressing downtown commerce and that a parks bond including a major redesign is needed to restore safety and activate the space.

The Assembly passed AO 2025-10, a parks and recreation bond, unanimously and placed the measure on the April 1 ballot. Supporters and witnesses urged voters to approve the project.

Why it matters: Townsquare Park sits adjacent to the Performing Arts Center and other downtown destinations. Testimony described repeated vandalism, safety incidents and a loss of everyday park activity that once drew shoppers and visitors into downtown Anchorage. Proponents argued a targeted capital investment would reduce operating costs, make the park usable for events and support surrounding businesses.

What people told the Assembly
- Mark Begich, former U.S. senator, said Townsquare Park is “the front door” many visitors see and “has to be revitalized.”
- Cody Costello, president and CEO of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, described theft, vandalism and rising private security and repair bills that have affected performances and the venue’s staff. He told the Assembly the park’s state harms ticket sales and operations.
- Radhika Krishna, executive director of the Downtown Partnership, said police calls and vandalism have increased; she urged design changes and more activation, and said the Partnership would coordinate programming to draw more daytime and evening use.
- A resident urged the Assembly to protect trees and green space if the redesign moves forward; several speakers said design choices should balance safety, green space and civic uses.

Administration and assembly comments
Mayor (recorded during the meeting) and Parks and Recreation staff told the body they support a Townsquare redesign that prioritizes public safety and accessibility, and noted project costs have risen since earlier planning. Assembly members asked for a plan to translate design and safety improvements into programmatic responses — such as summer events, lighting, and maintenance — so improvements are sustained after construction.

Quote
\"A space that fosters creativity and healthy activities,\" the Downtown Partnership said of the park’s intended future, adding the group will work on summer activation if voters approve the bond.

Next steps and context
AO 2025-10 was placed on the April 1 ballot. If voters approve, Parks and Recreation will move to finalize design and procurement. Assembly members added a package of neighborhood projects to the parks bond; members also asked that lessons learned on Townsquare be applied to future park investments elsewhere in the city.

Ending
The parks measure will be one of multiple capital measures Anchorage voters will see April 1; advocates say approval would signal public support for downtown revitalization and neighborhood park improvements.","Supporters including downtown businesses, arts organizations and community members urged the Assembly to approve a parks bond that includes Townsquare Park improvements, citing safety, vandalism and the park’s role as the city’s downtown front door.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":102,"_53":103,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":104,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":105,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6370180,"Assembly approves slate of April 1 ballot measures including parks, roads, public safety and Chugach access projects","/articles/6370180/Anchorage-Municipality/Alaska/Assembly-approves-slate-of-April-1-ballot-measures-including-parks-roads-public-safety-and-Chugach-access-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370180-66343b44ff685c4b3cf5bcf0820d6252/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149326&Signature=XvCsxKgerBgFQFsZoJrLSC5Iv4IqiDksRIsQL96bSt1r9GyjZ6LAziUvXV4mq5qKustpr0OEo-mtQiOX0~35TOxhwOJFSBe5S1sRHcTAx4~sATqDYTePoUGLLI5qmdyT4EqjU9ay2aW1ebw-qPhhnL~FqPmAePD7Bby7dcDH8lqsoKRWjhwABmmGGITGUeEoXayF0n6QXJo16ISGY1FziCVyvn7xIh7Qs6n3QuOE8Pn-HNRtesgNDm07kwMGxdjhZzFFtHCEsba1p6-8nQuSjGCb1OCS0Ip7CG64mbJWrABDYdN7S9Po112-CDaxz92a8bgbK15opkCBiz87Rab2RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anchorage Assembly on Jan. 21 approved a package of ballot measures to appear before voters April 1, including citywide bonds for roads, parks, police and fire facilities and several service-area propositions for rural roads and Chugach access projects.

The measures were approved largely by unanimous recorded votes after brief comments and limited public testimony. The package includes a mix of area-wide general obligation bonds and service-area propositions that would increase municipal tax limits for the specific service areas that benefit from the projects.

Why it matters: If approved by voters, the package will fund ongoing capital needs the city says are backed by planning and outreach. The measures are tied to projects described in the city’s capital-improvement program and to service-area priorities (for example, Chugach-area trail and parking improvements) that local boards and community councils have argued need local funding beyond standard budgets.

Key votes and next steps
- AO 2025-09 (Roads and drainage bond, not to exceed $33,700,000): passed 11–0 (youth member yes). The ordinance places a bond for road and storm drainage capital projects before voters.
- AO 2025-10 (Parks bond, not to exceed $8,250,000): passed 11–0 (youth member yes). The package includes multiple park and recreation projects, among them a Townsquare Park redesign and several neighborhood park improvements.
- AO 2025-11 (Fire capital improvements, not to exceed $2,400,000): passed 11–0 (youth member yes).
- AO 2025-12 (Police/public-safety improvements, not to exceed $3,400,000): passed 11–0 (youth member yes).
- AO 2025-13S / AO 2025-14S (Community facilities, senior centers and a reconfiguration of project lists between bonds): passed 11–0 (youth member yes). The assembly adopted a revised split so certain senior-center/library projects are shown together; public-safety facilities are grouped in the companion ordinance.
- AO 2025-07 (Chugiak/Birchwood/Eagle River service-area road mill-levy question): passed 11–0 (youth member yes).
- AO 2025-14S (Public safety/service-area package): passed 11–0 (youth member yes).
- AO 2025-15 (Girdwood road-safety improvements — service-area ballot): passed 11–0 (youth member yes).
- AO 2025-16 (Basher Trailhead / Chugach access CASA project — service-area CASA): passed 11–0 (youth member yes). The assembly also approved language clarifying the project's municipal-land footprint and added an intent statement to prioritize construction in a subsequent CIP cycle.

What the votes do and timeline
All ordinances approved Jan. 21 will appear on the April 1 municipal ballot if they meet election-code deadlines. If Anchorage voters approve any or all of the measures, the city will issue bonds and then initiate design and construction per capital-program rules and the city's procurement processes. Several measures were amended to clarify project lists or to move specific projects between bond packages before adoption.

Quotes
“Town Square has to be revitalized,” said former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, who testified in support of the parks bond, describing the park as a front door to downtown in need of investment.

“Chugach State Park gets 1.5 million visits annually,” argued Bruce Talbot, acting chair of the Glen Alps Road Service Area, urging approval of access and parking projects that serve visitors from across the municipality.

Context and budget notes
Assembly members and the administration repeatedly noted that passing bonds does not produce immediate construction; design, permitting, and further appropriation steps follow voter approval. Members also discussed trade-offs between fee-funded services and general-tax bonding for capital projects, and the assembly adopted amendments intended to improve transparency of project lists and to show an administration commitment to add construction funding to future CIP years following design work.

Ending
The April 1 ballot package is now set. Voters will decide which individual measures move forward; if approved, city staff say projects will be scheduled and scoped in the months after certification of the election results.","The Anchorage Assembly voted Jan. 21 to put a package of general-obligation bond measures and service-area propositions on the April 1 municipal ballot, covering roads, parks, public safety, fire and several Chugach-area access projects. All measures passed the Assembly by unanimous recorded votes (11–0) with the youth member also voting yes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly urges administration to pursue housing incentives in Opportunity Zones, and backs state housing-trust funding; Action Plan progress accepted

Assembly approves design funding and ballot placement for Basher Trailhead parking after neighborhood backing; construction estimates debated

Downtown businesses and residents press Assembly for Townsquare Park redesign as parks bond heads to voters

Assembly approves slate of April 1 ballot measures including parks, roads, public safety and Chugach access projects