Anchorage Heritage Land Bank presents 2025 work program, highlights transfers and wildfire, trails and access plans

Heritage Land Bank staff presented the Anchorage Assembly a summary of AR 2025-103, the HLB 2025 annual work program and five-year management plan, at a May 9 work session and described completed 2024 transfers, priority 2025 projects and next steps ahead of a May 20 public hearing.

The Heritage Land Bank(HLB) is "100% self supporting non tax funded agency," said Ryan Yell, Land Management Officer. Tiffany Briggs, Real Estate Director, opened the briefing saying, "we are here just today to talk about AR 20 25 1 0 3, which is the 2025 work plan." Emma Lisonbee, Land Management Officer, said staff began drafting the plan in October and that the HLB Advisory Commission unanimously recommended approval in February after reviewing public comments.

Why it matters: the HLB manages more than 12,000 acres of municipal land and holds parcels that affect public access, parks, airport bluff stability and potential community services. The work plan lists anticipated disposals, leases, acquisitions, trail and wildfire mitigation priorities that could affect neighborhoods in Girdwood, the Anchorage Hillside, South Anchorage, Eagle River and coastal areas near Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Most important items

HLB staff described recent and completed actions that are already shaping public lands use. The assembly previously authorized the disposal of Holton Hills Tracts 1 and 2 in January 2024; HLB said those tracts have been transferred to a development partner and on-site infrastructure work is expected this summer. HLB also reported completion of a multi-part project that created Potter Marsh Watershed…